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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim, I worked on the design and installation
of numerous systems for the State Parks here in MN, using a variety of end loads
however most consisted of the configuration you mention. We used the Mapps
exterior mounted uninsulated boxes because they are vandal-proof. I know
because someone tried to use a pry-bar on one of them and never broke
through. We also used the AGM batteries from Interstate, so far they have
exceeded our expectations. This was well over 7 years ago and as far as I
know, still putting out the required power. We did design the batteries
for only ~10 % discharge during worst conditions (-20F) and used an LBC to
ensure protection as the Morningstar charger could not meet our
requirements. I would hope with MPPT you could minimize system cost/size,
don't skimp on BOS, you've got to design for the long haul.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mario Monesterio</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Best Power Intl.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>651.428.8397</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:mario@bestpowersolar.net">mario@bestpowersolar.net</A></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ntrei@earthlink.net href="mailto:ntrei@earthlink.net">North Texas
Renewable Energy Inc</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, October 06, 2008 10:40
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [RE-wrenches] Off grid outdoor
lighting</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Wrenches</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>a general contractor working on upgrades to a VA
hospital has come up with the big idea to use a series of lighted directional
signs and landscape lights along the driveway and walkways
leading to the building complex. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>To come up with a design to power these standalone
natural stone monuments to government overspending and using the
GCs choice of 12 VDC, 24 W lamps, <FONT face=Arial><A
href="http://www.greenenergymgmt.com/t8.html">http://www.greenenergymgmt.com/t8.html</A> ,
</FONT>I began with my years old off-grid sizing worksheet. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>It dawned on me that simply scaling the design
factors down by a factor of ten might not give the efficiency results
like a full sized off-grid house would. I'm going on the assumption that
off-grid design has become more fine tuned considering the choices of
MPPT and other controller technology helping to extend battery life.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Anyway, the entire BOS will be outdoors and
battery housing will probably not be insulated from temperature extremes,
considering that they may be in full sun all summer, I want ample
ventilation. Probably will use 2-6V AGMs to power the 4 lamps through a
Morningstar 10 A 12V controller. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>I looked for pre-manufactured DC lighting kits but came
away with little that appealed to me. Unless someone can point me toward a
very reliable kit I will go with a scratch built system, battery box on a
short PV pole style. Any tried & true design advice would be
much appreciated. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>best regards</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><STRONG><FONT size=2>Jim Duncan<BR>North Texas Renewable
Energy Inc<BR>4029 Aragon Drive<BR>Fort Worth, Texas
76133<BR>817.917.0527<BR></FONT></STRONG><A
href="mailto:ntrei@earthlink.net"><STRONG><FONT
size=2>ntrei@earthlink.net</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><STRONG><FONT size=2>Serving
North Texas since 1994.<BR>For more information </FONT></STRONG><A
href="http://www.ntrei.com"><STRONG><FONT
size=2>www.ntrei.com</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><STRONG><FONT size=2>References?
</FONT></STRONG><A href="http://www.findsolar.com/"><STRONG><FONT
size=2>http://www.findsolar.com/</FONT></STRONG></A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
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