Reduce Your Energy Bill With Solar Panels

If you are looking to reduce your energy bills you mayhave considered using solar panels.While it can be somewhat expensive up front if you havesomeone do the work for you, putting one togetheryourself can really save some money.Either way it will save you money in the long term.

Part of the solar power system consists of your bank ofbatteries for storing energy form the sun.These deep cycle batteries can be the most expensivecomponent of your system.It is important to have them so you have stored electricity touse when it’s cloudy and at night.

For your battery bank you must use the same kindof batteries used in golf carts, wheel chairs, forklifts or any kind of rechargeable equipment.Using automotive batteries will not work becausethey are not rechargeable like the others.

Unfortunately new deep cycle batteries are notcheap and can be the most expensive item youpurchase for your use.An alternative is to find used batteries. Your localgolf course, boat marina or warehouses may be asource of batteries for you.They almost always have old batteries sittingaround and may be happy to give them away or sellthem for cheap.

After you have collected your used batteries you will testthem to find the ones that can be reconditioned for your use.All you have to do is hook them up to a battery charger andcharge them up.When charged you measure the voltage which should bearound 12 volts.If the voltage is much less than this put that battery aside totest further because it may have a bad cell.

Rechargeable batteries can suffer from what iscalled sulfation.This is a buildup of lead sulfate crystals on thelead plates in the battery.This buildup reduces the batteries ability to takeand hold a charge.

These lead sulfate crystals can be removed by using aspecial charger.This charger emits a high current pulse that breaks upthe crystals and cleaning the lead plates.If you have this charger you could potentially saveyourself money on the cost of new batteries and it willpay for itself many times over.

Another step you can take is to renew theelectrolyte in the battery.If the fluid level is low you can top it off withdeionized water so it covers the plates.An electrolyte conditioner is available at manyauto parts stores that you can add to your batteries.

After reconditioning the battery you can recharge itand test the voltage.You now have a battery that you can use for yoursolar power system that is almost free.Once you have enough batteries for your bank whynot get some more as standby extras.

To learn more about reconditioning batteries and itsbenefit to you check out “Restore RechargeableBatteries.”

Reduce Your Energy Bill With Solar Panels

by tjar123 on May 26, 2012

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Reduce Your Energy Bill With Solar Panels Presentation Transcript