[rec.ham-radio] Household solar power, query.

johnson@nuhub.acs.northeastern.edu (10/17/90)

     Hello.

     I'm posting to these groups.  Not really sure where else this 
should go.

    I'm interested in solar electricity generation.  My slightly 
ambitious idea is to reduce the amount of power I use from the power 
company.  Much electronic equipment exists that runs very well on 12V DC. 
Most of it is for cars and RVs.  The necessary 12V DC can be obtained 
from car and trailer battery systems.  The occasional 60 Hz house 
current used in North America can be pulled from the odd 12V DC to 
110V-125V power inverter.  Lower voltages can be had using NiCad
batteries.  What I need is a way of recharging the batteries.  This would
require high output solar panels, voltage regulators, and circuitry to
avoid over charging of the various battery systems. 

     What I need is pointers to any manufacturers that might produce any 
of the equipment I need.  I've been poking through the latest yuppie 
catalog from Edmund Scientific.  They have some of the kind of thing 
I'm looking for but unfortunately they don't include any information of
who makes what. 

     Any manufacturer info like names, addresses, phone or Fax numbers
etc much appreciated.  Please send any responses to my e-mail address as
I'm not on any of these lists with regularity.  My e-mail address is 

     johnson@northeastern.edu

     Thanks much.

Chris Johnson
Northeastern University
USA