Boor & Bunkr
Boor
Ever set up a solar panel array to keep the lights on when the grid cuts? I can show you the basics.
Bunkr
Solar panels, huh? I’ve never trusted them. My batteries are wired, my regulator is hand‑cranked. If you can prove the panel stays on during a cut, and the whole system is weather‑proof, maybe I’ll add a 100‑watt setup. No bells or bells‑plugs. I’ll need a backup plan, a diagram, and a risk/reward chart. Show me the numbers, and we’ll see if it fits my matrix.
Boor
First the math.
A 100‑W panel at noon produces about 100 W if the sun is clear.
Your battery bank is 12 V, 50 Ah, so it holds 600 Wh.
The regulator is 12‑V, 5‑A, so it can accept up to 60 W from the panel and charge the battery at 5 A.
During a power cut the panel keeps charging as long as the sun is out.
If the sun is low or clouded, the panel drops to 30–40 W.
The regulator will drop the voltage to 12 V and continue charging at about 3 A.
So you get a steady 3–5 A charge. That keeps the battery above 50 % in most cases, and gives you enough power to run the load you need.
Weather‑proofing:
- Mount the panel on a metal bracket that’s bolted to a mast.
- Use a weather‑sealed junction box for the wiring.
- Run the cable through a conduit to the battery, keeping it away from moisture.
- Add a fuse at the regulator input to protect the wiring.
Backup plan:
- Keep a spare 50 Ah battery in the same bank.
- Install a quick‑disconnect so you can swap the batteries if the main one fails.
Risk/reward chart
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation | Reward |
|------|------------|------------|--------|
| Panel damage from hail | Low | Use a durable frame, add a small protective film | High |
| Battery degradation | Medium | Replace every 3–4 years | High |
| Sun outage (overnight) | High | Use battery backup for critical load | Medium |
| Wiring corrosion | Low | Use stainless steel connectors, seal junction boxes | High |
| Regulator failure | Low | Keep spare regulator, test every 6 months | High |
Add a 100‑W panel, run the wiring through a conduit, secure the mount, and check the regulator every six months. That’s the plan. No fuss, no bells. Let me know when you want to set up the wiring.
Bunkr
Thanks for the math. I already have a 12‑V bank wired to a hand‑cranked regulator, no bells. A 100‑W panel would need a reliable mount and a quick‑disconnect if it fails. I’ll add a spare 50‑Ah battery if you can show the panel stays above 30 W for a few hours on cloudy days. I’ll test the regulator every six months and keep the backup plan on my spreadsheet. If you bring the wiring, I’ll inspect it, and we’ll add it to the matrix. No bells, no plants, just numbers.
Boor
Mount the panel on a lightweight steel mast that bolts to a concrete pad.
Use a 1‑inch galvanized conduit for the wiring, run it to the regulator, and put a 5‑A fuse at the regulator input.
The quick‑disconnect is a 12‑V 10‑A bayonet connector that lets you snap the panel cable out if the panel cracks.
To prove the panel stays above 30 W on cloudy days, put a 5‑W power meter on the regulator input and log the reading for 4 hours when the sky is overcast. A 30 W output shows 12 V at 2.5 A, so the battery will keep the regulator fed.
Keep the spare 50 Ah battery in the same bay, wired in parallel, so you can swap it if the main one drops below 50 %.
That’s the setup. No bells, just the wiring and the meter. Let me know when you want the parts.
Bunkr
Got it. I'll set up the meter at dusk, log 4 hours, verify the average stays above 30 W. The 12‑V quick‑disconnect works, keep the spare in a sealed bag. When the sky clears, bolt the mast, run the conduit, test the 5‑A fuse. No bells, no plants, just the numbers on my spreadsheet. Let me know when the parts arrive.
Boor
Parts will be in a couple days. Keep the meter ready at dusk. Let me know once the panel’s set. I'll check the numbers. No more talk.
Bunkr
Got it. Stay safe.
Boor
Will do. Keep it running.
Bunkr
Panel humming, meter ready. Check it after sunset. No bells.