Solar Power For RC

by ExAir | February 9, 2013 | (38) Posted in Projects

Want to make a statement by committing to renewable energy in a small but important part of your life?  What better way than to power part or all of your RC hobby with solar power.  

I have chosen to run my entire fleet and nearly every aspect of my RC flying hobby on solar energy, generated from a 45 watt photovoltaic array and charge controller I bought from Harbor Freight for only $150, plus a small deep-cycle battery for $45.  I am able to charge all my lipo battery packs, my FPV goggle battery, FPV ground station batteries, GoPro batteries, keychain camera, iPhone and provide a 12v source for workbench lighting, hot glue gun, soldering iron, how-to video production studio lights and camera.  The lead-acid battery charges up throughout the week for mass lipo charging for the weekend.  I tap off power for other aspects as needed throughout the week.

There are many choices for solar power, some of which are more efficient but also more expensive.  Given a budget, I went small to start.  The kit I use was $150 on sale, plus a little shipping, and is found here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-panel-kit-45-watt-68751.html

The battery I use is a scooter battery bought on eBay for $45.  Deep-cycle batteries with larger capacities are widely available.

While I realize the return on investment is very gradual and the overall impact is pretty small, I do feel a more responsible citizen of the earth and proud RC pilot to use a renewable energy source for that thing in life that brings me the most fun and fulfillment.  It's hopefully a small step towards a better future.  Let me know if you have any questions or if I might help you do the same.  experimentalairlines@gmail.com

 

COMMENTS

earthsciteach on February 10, 2013
Great stuff, Ed! You must have found it on sale, because its listed as $189 on the HF site, now. Still, its a really good price for what is included!
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Battershell on February 10, 2013
Always look in the Harbor Freight weekly flyer. When not on sale it is quite pricey. But occasionally as all their items it is listed at a lower price not considered on sale. Then add a 20% off coupon and bam! Lower than $150. Also people don't realize this..... If you buy an item with a 20% off coupon, the extended repair warranty is also 20% off as well. And sometimes we want that warranty on some items like a solar panel. Happy shopping and great work Ed. Love the articles!
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oneiwily on April 1, 2013
a real challenge would be a real RC airplane that flies on solar power - endless flight time.. but that is different game all together,
anyway great work m8.
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dmcken on April 16, 2013
Take a look at PowerFilm, a search for flexible solar panel on eBay (sorted by price) brings up something like the SP4.2-37 which is selling for $7, specs are kinda weak at 4.20V / 22mA but it is flexible so can be taped / glued to the wing and each one is 37 x 84mm x 0.2mm so you should be able to fit a couple on a single plane wiring up series / parallel to achieve desired current / voltage.

Given how little current they give I'm going to guess this will only work well with gliders / sailplanes which have large wingspans and can run at lower throttles to minimize usage. No clue to to wire this up either. I doubt you can just wire it in series / parallel with the battery and it will just work.
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SeanJuan73 on February 13, 2013
Great Idea and something I have been considering when I am out camping and want to take my planes. Thanks for the inspiration!
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brad on March 24, 2013
Nice set up Ed! I will definitely be looking to get my self set up like this, and it is so portable, love it. Keep posting great video's i enjoy your work., as already said ! very inspirational , and self officiant, keeping with flite test .
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OutcastZeroOne on April 7, 2013
hey ExAir. thouhgt Id share this thing I found on a site I used to get a lot of my batteries from.

http://www.batteryspace.com/Wagan-Solar-e-Power-Cube-5-x-16W-Solar-Panel-1500W-AC-DC-Inverter.aspx

its a solar inverter in a cooler package. it is by no means "cheap" but the idea of it was interesting.

on a side note about the flying an RC plane off solar power. Has anyone looked into useing that new solar film? I've glanced the stuff over but its fully plyable and according to what I've read, it produces more power then photovoltaic pannels. But its $$$$. was toying with the thought that it may be used as a wing skin but also provide power for the craft, or atleast keep a small charge going to the Rx and other electronics.
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Adib Vahedi on March 26, 2013
WOW ED YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON THE J* SCOTT I LOVE IT I WISH I COULD GET ONE LIKE THAT FOR FREE!
IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL KEEP UP YOUR SCRATCH BUILTS!
AND I LOVE THE BOMB DROP!!!!

KEEP UP THE AWESOME SICK BEAUTIFUL WORK!!!!!!!!!!

ADIB VAHEDI
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Dino on September 1, 2013
A man needs a man cave no matter what -lol- Nice work !
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creditvisionllc on November 14, 2023
hhhhhh
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Solar Power For RC