Solar For Shed

[SamSpade]

Anyone ever try it? Just curious, really. Having a new shed built, and code pretty much is ok with everything so long as it doesn't look like it's being built as a habitation.

But I wouldn't mind a light switch inside, since I don't plan to put windows in it.

Again, has anyone tried doing this?

 

[glhs837]

Lots of how too. Harbor freight sells pretty comprehensive kits. Add one or two 12 batteries for storage and some led lights.

 

[Sneakers]

Lots of How-To here.
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Will Prowse - YouTube

You can do better price and performance-wise than Harbor Freight, but it is a turn-key small system that would work well.

Since you only talked about lights, maybe these would work for you. They're pretty bright. I used a couple in a box trailer.

200 Lumen LED Super Bright Flip Light

Amazing deals on this 200 Lumen Led Super Bright Flip Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[phreddyp]

Lowes has led floods which use a remote solar panel to charge the battery and it works pretty well if you just need some light to see by it also has a motion detector which will come on when you enter the shed.

 

[glhs837]

Lowes has led floods which use a remote solar panel to charge the battery and it works pretty well if you just need some light to see by it also has a motion detector which will come on when you enter the shed.

I got one like that for inside my motorcycle shed like four years ago from HF. Like 25 bucks. Not super bright considering the shed gets very little direct sunlight, but enough to park the bike safely and exit the shed after I kill the bikes headlight.

 

[black dog]

I would run 120v to the shed and the light switch would turn on a pair of 4ft led bulbs.

 

[DogWhisperer]

Anyone ever try it? Just curious, really. Having a new shed built, and code pretty much is ok with everything so long as it doesn't look like it's being built as a habitation.

But I wouldn't mind a light switch inside, since I don't plan to put windows in it.

Again, has anyone tried doing this?

Sam, did you ever get the solar installed on your shed? Looking to do the same.

 

[SamSpade]

Sam, did you ever get the solar installed on your shed? Looking to do the same.

We are STILL WAITING on the g-d shed!

I did buy a small foldable camper solar panel but - from using it - it would appear that it would take a whole week to completely charge a small powerbank. That's how little you can squeeze out. Honestly for what I would need - BATTERIES charged from my house would be better.

 

[Clem72]

Anyone ever try it? Just curious, really. Having a new shed built, and code pretty much is ok with everything so long as it doesn't look like it's being built as a habitation.

But I wouldn't mind a light switch inside, since I don't plan to put windows in it.

Again, has anyone tried doing this?

Unfortunately won't work in my current location as I have far too many trees, I did have this at my previous home. I hooked up three 100w 12v panels (overkill) to a cheapie chinese 30 amp charge controller and several old golf cart batteries I bought off a dude living in a boat (don't ask questions) and a harbor freight 2kw inverter.

I mainly used the shop on the weekends, batteries were basically always fully charged. No problem running my air compressor, lights, drill press, soldering iron, etc.

 

[SamSpade]

Well we did finally GET the shed. Since I have a narrow entrance to my back yard, it could not be placed completed. So I have a stack of materials for building, in my back yard.

Still - it had never occurred to me to do anything resembling site prep, because until a week ago, I had no idea they were ever going to deliver. Frankly, I was ready to write it all off as lost money, since I haven't the stomach for a court fight.

What have y'all used for the base? Assuming gravel - what kind, and from whom? Some of these gravel places won't deliver less than five tons.

 

[SandieGarry]

Try Earnshaw Brothers in Mechanicsville. Not sure but they may be able to help

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Just keep it off the ground, mine uses six large poured in place concrete blocks.

 

[Ken King]

What have y'all used for the base? Assuming gravel - what kind, and from whom? Some of these gravel places won't deliver less than five tons.

57 gravel, locks in nicely and is usually recommended for sheds. The amount needed will depend on the footprint you plan to cover. 57 runs about 1.2 tons per cubic yard and depending on the depth of your coverage (in inches) and your coverage area (in sq. ft.) you might need five tons.

As another thought, if you couldn't get a completed shed delivered can you get a dump truck back to the area or will you be using a wheel barrow to move it from where it gets dumped?

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Dont take this the wrong way, but you dont sound too handy, so you might try these.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-7-in-x-11-in-x-11-in-Actual-7-125-in-x-10-375-in-x-10-375-in-Concrete-Deck-Block/50113084

And 5 tons of gravel probably isnt enough if you want a base the entire footprint of the shed. I used 5 tons to cover the ground under a 12x16 deck, but it's only about 2-3 inches deep.

 

[Ken King]

I used 5 tons to cover the ground under a 12x16 deck, but it's only about 2-3 inches deep.

You either got screwed on the amount delivered or your pad is closer to 6 inches deep. 12 X 16 = 192, 192/4 = 48, 48/27 = 1.78 X 1.5 = 2.6 tons

 

[PeoplesElbow]

You either got screwed on the amount delivered or your pad is closer to 6 inches deep. 12 X 16 = 192, 192/4 = 48, 48/27 = 1.78 X 1.5 = 2.6 tons

Hmm it is around 4 and I does go a bit farther than the deck. It's also the small crushed stuff.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Back to the shed electric topic if it's just for some occasional light use this inverter will work well. It can hook to a car battery or their 18v tool batteries, I have quite a few of the 18v batteries.

RYOBI ONE+ 18V 800-Watt Max 12V Automotive Power Inverter with Dual USB Ports RYi8030A - The Home Depot

Expand your RYOBI ONE+ System with the 800 Watt Automotive Power Inverter, one of RYOBI’s most versatile power sources. This power inverter utilizes 18V ONE+ batteries, a 12V car power port, or a 12V car battery for convenient, portable power. Power or charge multiple devices and small...

www.homedepot.com

Also have one of these I use for minor off grid stuff. It can be charged with a solar panel, house 115 or your cars cig lighter. Energizer Portable Power Station 320 Watt-Hours, 2×300-Watt (Peak 600W) AC Outlets, Built-in LiFePO4 Battery, 100-Watt PD Fast Charging, Solar Generator for Outdoors Camping and Emergency Use https://a.co/d/7p2EH3m

Both are pure sine wave output. Stay away from the cheap modified sine wave inverters, some equipment doesn't like the squared off output.

 

[black dog]

Well we did finally GET the shed. Since I have a narrow entrance to my back yard, it could not be placed completed. So I have a stack of materials for building, in my back yard.

Still - it had never occurred to me to do anything resembling site prep, because until a week ago, I had no idea they were ever going to deliver. Frankly, I was ready to write it all off as lost money, since I haven't the stomach for a court fight.

What have y'all used for the base? Assuming gravel - what kind, and from whom? Some of these gravel places won't deliver less than five tons.

Under my shipping containers I used heavy visqueen to stop moisture and 4" or so of bank run gravel. Leveled them with 10"x10" block pavers.