How to Build a Solar Power Inverter
Power inverters are used to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The most common power inverters are designed to convert 12 volt DC power to 110 volt AC power. These units are commonly used in automobiles and other vehicles. A solar power inverter uses solar cells and panels to supply the 12 volts needed to power the inverter. This configuration would allow the power inverter to be very portable, increasing the number of locations at which it could be used.
Things You'll Need
- 1 12 volt 1 amp power inverter
- 2 12 volt 0.5 amp solar panels
- Red 12 gauge electrical wire
- Black 12 gauge electrical wire
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Plastic twist caps
- Voltage meter
Instructions
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1
Cut the ends of the red and black power wires on the 12 volt side of the power inverter. Strip off half an inch of insulation on both wires.
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2
Connect the two solar panels together as follows: Connect the red positive wire of solar panel #1 to the red positive wire of solar panel #2. Connect the negative black wire of solar panel #1 to the negative black wire of solar panel #2. This places both solar panels in parallel.
In this configuration, the total voltage is still 12 volts, but the two 0.5 amps produced by each solar panel are combined to make the 1 amp needed to power the inverter.
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3
Connect the red positive wire of the inverter to the two red positive wires of the solar panels. Then, connect the black negative wire of the inverter to the two black negative wires of the solar panels. Use plastic twist caps to cover each wire splice.
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4
Place the inverter and solar panels in direct sunlight. Set up the voltage meter or digital voltage meter to read the voltage. Check the output voltage at the AC socket on the inverter. Depending on the amount of light, the voltage meter should read between 90 and120 volts.
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References
- Photo Credit Geir Pettersen/Digital Vision/Getty Images
