Help with Designing Security Camera System

Hey Chuck,
This is a nice and simple system to design, since you can run it all at 12V. Here's all you need to do:

1)Figure out your total load (per day) in watt-hours. You can do that by using the load calculator here:
http://howto.altenergystore.com/Calculators/c5/

I assume the equipment will be running 24 hrs/day, so be sure to put in that info.

2)Then use our off grid system calculator (link to it is in the same place as above) to determine how many watts of solar panel(s) you'll need. Hit the blue links to the next for sizing the charge controllers and the battery bank.

3) Once you narrowed down on a particular solar panel that's at least the wattage rating that you come up with in the calculator (better to err on larger than smaller), choose a top of pole or side of pole mount.  They can be found here:

http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Trackers-Solar-Panel-Mounts/c459/

Just going into the specification page for any of them and look for the pricing and sizing guide (PDF) to match up the mount model with your solar panel of choice.

4) Now I'm not sure if you equipment needs exactly 12V or can work directly from a 12V battery (or battery bank) which can range from 10-15V.  If you think that you need exactly 12V then you need a regulator. This one should work:

http://store.altenergystore.com/ec/SORFB12-3

MISC
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A. Solar Panels:
You can choose your solar panel from here:
http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Panels/c541/

(note: I'd recommend a amorphous or CIGS type of solar panel, that's more resistant to partial shading (as opposed to mono or polycrystalline) just in case you have nearby tree branches or shrubbage to worry about. Check out the Global Solar units.)

B. Batteries:
http://store.altenergystore.com/Batteries/c434/

C. Charge Controllers:
http://store.altenergystore.com/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/c892/

(for a small simple system probably fine to go with PWM charge controller - check out Morningstar, they tend to be more rugged).

D. You'll want breakers or fuses between your solar panel and your charge controller. Then another between your charge controller and your battery bank. Then one more between the voltage regulator (if you use it) and the devices you'll be powering. Generally, on either side of the charge controller, if you use a 12V DC breaker rated for the same max current as the charge controller then yer fine. I'd use a 5A fuse/breaker between your equipment and your battery bank (or your voltage regulator, if you decide to use it).

That should cover most of it!

Might plop in a DC Lightning Arrestor to protect your investment from nearby lightning strikes.

Hope that helps.


D. To size the cables for your system check out our article here:
http://howto.altenergystore.com/Library-Articles/Solar-Electric-Power-PV-Systems/Cables-Wires/c17/

Additionally, a charge controller that would take the higher panel voltage and provide it to the battery as well as regulate the 12 VDC would be great. I think they are called MPPT. Do they come in smaller amperage ratings like for 15 amps?