Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power

I bought this book because I have some friends who have an island where the only source of electricity is a 12v system using a wind turbine and a solar panel to charge lead-acid batteries. Over the years we have fiddled with the system and are always looking for ways to improve it and - if the truth be told - for "toys for boys" projects to make better use of it.This book starts off with a summary of generation methods, moves on to a very useful section on batteries, then covers charging and regulation before ending up with a series of projects one could build. The whole thing is written by someone who has "been there, done that" and got the (no doubt eco-friendly) tee-shirt. So there are lots of practical comments about how to source components and to modify them for 12v use. There are also some useful circuit diagrams for charge regulators and other devices and the book is well illustrated with easy to understand diagrams.The first sections, and especially those on using lead-acid batteries and sizing components, are not only well written and comprehensive but also entertaining. If you have any experience of batteries you will know what a PITA they are and there are lots of tips in here for revitalising them and extending their life. In particular the author explains *why* they cause problems and what the solutions are, and he is clearly writing from real experience. I learned more about batteries from 1/2 hour reading this book than from endless confusing and sometimes contradictory web searches, and it is worth buying for these first sections alone.The later sections on "projects" are full of ideas but lack details - hence the 4 star rating. But don't let me put you off: if you buy a book like this you are likely to be of a practical turn of mind and should be able to make some of the items he proposes. I'm quite taken with the idea of a solar tracker built from a palette, bicycle wheel and motor from a tape recorder ...Incidentally the book was originally written in German and while the translation into English is very good there are some odd words and abbreviations that require a moment's thought, I particularly liked the reference to "quicksilver" (mercury)!In summary this is a genuinely useful handbook for a small-scale DIY 12v system that is well written, practical and entertaining. It is very much a "hands-on" guide, and you will need to be the sort of person who is not afraid to pick up tools and experiment in order to get the most from it. I'm glad that I bought it.

This book is a good primer and covers many aspects that others overlook. it really comes in the 'Garden Shed inventor' category which allows you to see under the covers of the now widely available power regulators and related kit. The fact that he is a practical engineer shows in his , almost Heath Robinson solar tracking system. It may not be elegant but it does the job. He includes an interesting section on batteries and what to look for if you're sourcing them from a junkyard (I prefer to buy industrial batteries as they're better suited to solar application but if you are on a budget...)To be honest the only quibble I have iwith this book is his preoccupation with 'electric smog'. Sorry but from everything I've read the biggest source modern man faces is the cell phone in his pocket (and that's only because it's within millimetres of his skin!) or the mains extension lead running into the hand held power tool. Yes AC cable radiates a small EM field but the inverse square law means that even a few inches separation means it's effectively an irrelevance.Having said that don't let it colour the whole of the book as Michel Daniek has condensed a lot into a slim book, complete with circuit diagrams should you feel the need to build your own solar charging regulator (It's fun but given the availability of such items there's no other reason to do so these days).

Good book, very interesting

Good book - covers the basics well.Slightly in need of a revision at this stage - I see it was first published in 2009, but the core of the book deals with-batteries and their maintenance,-types of panels and their relative differences-charge controllers and cabling.The book is written from a very practical standpoint -and even the apparently mundane advice of selecting plugs/sockets for your 12V equipment that are different from your regular house hold plugs/sockets is actually very worthwhile- probably saving you the sub-optimal/costly "learn-by-experience" path.The areas of Led lights are dated but this is does not detract too much from the book as its main value is in the capture and storage of solar energy.Good intro, not the last word.

I started reading this book to gain a better understanding of Solar energy.I enjoyed this book and it gave me a very different perspective from just buying and installing a solar lighting system in my where for ease but with a little effort much more can be done.I doubt I'll have time to make many of the invention at the moment, but come an apocalypse, I'll be very glad I read this book!.

This has changed my view on how simple it is to become 12 volt aware! Narrowboat winning ways on 200 miles?? SHL

I've red the book , and still have not put it down .

Great book tells you from scratch what you need and how to start going off grid