Goal Zero 150 and Harbor Freight

[Solar98632]

Greetings DIYers
As you all know I am, well, eccentric.
I am well noted for not going by the book .
So here is what I did.

Now as some of you know I grew up on a farm. and we farmers do all kinds of weird things to get something to do something or does it wind up doing..Nothing? Or does it do something it shouldn't do? or....never mind.

Any how on wards and forwards.
I just recently acquired the Goal Zero 150.
I didn't need any thing bigger then that really.
So on to explaining what I done did.
Now we all are aware of the traditional 2 dimensional thinking of solar power.

We all know that solar panels go from panels to charge controller.
and then to To a battery.

but then what if you need to "branch off"?
let's say you all ready have a second light weight item like the "Goal 0"

Ok, I am now a cross Between McGuiver and we'll erhumm..Mr Bean..If you will.
OK here is what I done did.

I kept the 3 panels connected to the 1 Harbor Freight Controller to monitor voltage changes. I then grabbed a 8mm power adapter that I had for an older camera..which was 2 sided so there are 2.. stripped the insulation, used my power meter to determine where "+" was at and connected it to the solar lungs of the "Harbor Freight" Solar connectors.

Then I plugged in the adapter going from the "Harbor Freight Charge Controller's" solar panels lugs to the "Goal 0" multi power plug in.

so here it is in a nut shell.

1 solar panels connected to charge controller as in the normal way
2 made a branch from HF Charge controller that goes to the Goal Zero 150
Charge Port.
Currently charging both Goal 0 and Battery at which the standard battery floats while the Goal 0 is now charging.

well has any one did this before?

Total solar watts on peak is 135 from panels.

[techman]

Interesting. I am not sure what is being charged first but without blocking diodes what happens is this:

Energy is lazy so it follows the path of least resistance.

So, one of the two things you have connected to your solar panels has less resistance. Either the goal zero or the charge controller.

I cannot say which one though without knowing the internal resistance of both.

Anyway yes it will work. Probably charging the goal zero first but I am not sure

[Solar98632]

Good Question techman and 8 might have an answer.
The goal zero was last to stop charging and the first to start charging at 7:15 am this morning.

The Goal Zero Solar Generator how ever was my costly then the HF. Converter which makes me think it may he more efficient.

it will be interesting ..If i get the 2 floating ( goal zero won't loose a charge bar when operating a load at 80 watts on the 110.).

Here is my guess, while it is true electricity goes through the path of least resistance , i also belive there is quality that helps as well. i am uploading some of the video to YouTube. and as for the blocking diodes? I know what those are, but the Goal Zero has its own AGM battery good for 150 watt hours. It in its self is it own power pack.


so I am not sure why I would need a blocking diode.

Some one once said that the HF, panels are fairly powerful in them selves and when on a better charge controller are really good work hoarses.



I am hoping the video I am uploading will show how I have it set up.
If not, I will draw simple schematic of how it is is set up.

[Solar98632]

I have an answer.
The Goal Zero has a better charge Controller and is more efficient.
bother will float at peak times but the Goal Zero begins Charging right a way at sun up and continues charging until dusk.

The HF charge controller needs more power to begin charging.
what Troy or some was saying about the harbor freight solar panels is true, they do give a lot better power when it is being used with a decent charge controller.

Both were floating until 4 pm. here 80 the Pacific Northwest. Only the goal zero continued to charge after 5 pm. In fact it is 5:41 Pm and it is stating it is still charging.
it is getting pretty low light . i currently have the Internet (plugged in to the 12 volt port) and a LED super Bright plugged in into the 110 Ac. and it 8s still floating.ok..it just now stopped. 5:46 pm.

[Solar98632]

I might have to call goal zero, there maybe an error in the programming of the charge controller . There appears to be a delay after a certain point at which it stops charging.

[Solar98632]

Oh this will be a simple fix..blocking diode being installed..it...leaks..I have a few laying around. .I will add one in line tomorrow. really simple..

[Solar98632]

funny, why do companies forget to stop the flow in the reverse direction when it comes to solar devices?

[Solar98632]

This is how the goal zero is Connected.
wire with not is the positive lead going to the Goal Zero.
The Unit can be Charged 3 ways, Solar , plug in ( great for gennys) car citrate lighter (very long Charge time).


This small unit runs Nebulizer, can opener, modem ( 8 to 10 hours) oh.. and it started a 100 watt crackpot from the list 80 watt inverter..The DC out is rated for 120 watts.

run a 100 watt item for 2 hours on the battery. Not that I would want to go there unless absolutely needed.

The Goal Zero has built in overload protection for charging and each out put has a mini resettable Breaker an if that is not good enough it has a 20 amp fuse as well.

This unit is 140 watt hours.
Goal zero does make beefier units that are chainable.
I plan on purchasing the Goal Zero 400 unit which has a pure sign inverter and runs about 500 bucks..but that will be one I tame things down.

It was my original plan to get the Yeti 400 but merino needed surgery.
The Yeti 400 has a 400 watt pure sign inverter and can handle a lot more solar in put.
for what You are doing troy, The Yeti,1250 would be perfect for you.
It will probably even operate your power tools.

I will be sending them a link to your channel. not sure what will come of it..

[Solar98632]

Update: I added two lugs for an additional battery or for an inverter.

I also added a fuse for protection.

[Solar98632]

Just a brief update : I added an additional 2 posts with could be used either for a add on battery bank or to operate my 400 watt in verter.

Seeing how the max wattage on the 12 volt is 120 watts my crock pot on low should not over work the battery .
Now if we can get some sun..I can test that idea other wise,100 watts will drain my battery in 2 hours time.

and unless i get a larger battery bank, I don't think that it would be a good idea to try any thing over 100 watts.

I do not know if this uses an mppt controller or not.
The charger I can hear, when plugged in to the wall. Sounds like it pulses. i can hear a brrr, brrr, brr sound as it charges. .Also sounds like a super quiet modem hissing..wierd..never heard chargers doing that unless they are digital.

Also while i had the thing opened it was interesting to see..
it is all one main board.

Everything is all on one board. including the inverter and the transformer for the inverter is on that board.