The first Bitcoin Solar mining device coming soon - SolarMiner USB2 machine - page 2.

solarminer.james

newbie

Activity: 13

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Quote from: repairguy on March 14, 2014, 03:53:19 AM

Unless you are going to install enough solar panels to power your entire house, and most of the time not even then, there is almost no reason ever to use batteries on a solar installation!

If there's no batteries, the extra power that can be saved in day time are wasted. Batteries are necessary, it keeps extra power to compensate in cloudy days and evenings. It's especially necessary for CONSTANT BITCOIN MINING RIG.

AND SOLARMINER use LFP batteries not the batteries used in cars! For those who are experts will know why.
For those who don't, here's the quotes from wikipedia:

Quote

The LiFePO4 battery uses a lithium-ion-derived chemistry and shares many advantages and disadvantages with other Lithium-ion battery chemistries. However, there are significant differences.
LFP chemistry offers a longer cycle life than other lithium-ion approaches.[7]
Like nickel-based rechargeable batteries (and unlike other lithium ion batteries), LiFePO4 batteries have a very constant discharge voltage. Voltage stays close to 3.2V during discharge until the battery is exhausted. This allows the battery to deliver virtually full power until it is discharged. And it can greatly simplify or even eliminate the need for voltage regulation circuitry.

repairguy

sr. member

Activity: 252

Merit: 250

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-Grid-Tie-SOLAR-SYSTEM-300W-400W-500W-600W-1KW-WATT-Solar-Panel-system-/261288775795?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3cd6065073

Ok here you green guys go (that isn't an insult). The 500watt kit costs 50 bucks more but will give you almost 7 times the power generation and has no batteries.

repairguy

sr. member

Activity: 252

Merit: 250

Quote from: The One on March 12, 2014, 04:15:32 PM

One would be better off installing proper solar panels on the roof, if one can afford it, and use it to power your mining rig. Batteries would need to be deep cycle marine batteries as they last longer. Any surplus energy can be fed back into the grid or used to heat up water.

Unless you are going to install enough solar panels to power your entire house, and most of the time not even then, there is almost no reason ever to use batteries on a solar installation!

repairguy

sr. member

Activity: 252

Merit: 250

Quote from: RickJamesBTC on March 13, 2014, 06:15:15 PM

Quote from: fractalbc on March 12, 2014, 10:11:38 PM

Quote from: RickJamesBTC on December 19, 2013, 06:31:01 PM

So an overpriced solar panel with overpriced li-phos batteries that will only last two years and a nifty looking USB hub? Really people if you want a solar powered USB hub you can slap one together with ease. You can buy solar panels with charge controllers for less than $1 per watt now, get some car batteries and a power inverter and use any gear you want. What's the situation where someone needs this and it save them any money over a power bill? Stuffed full of the most power hungry USB asics, it will barely operate, the batteries wouldn't last through the evening so it needs to be plugged in...

At least his batteries will last two years. A car battery won't last 2 months in a deep cycle application. 12v inverters generally suck for efficiency.

I don't argue your main point that it looks a bit overpriced for what it delivers but hey, people will pay for a Prius to increase their carbon footprint while telling themselves they are helping it, so why not this product. And besides, you clearly don't understand any of the engineering issues you need to solve to run a solar powered rig.

Now, ifen you had said "golf cart batteries" it woulda shown that you a) know the difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries and b) know the cheapest deep cycle battery on the planet. Bonus points woulda been given if you mentioned the need to provide ventilation and store them away from fire or flame.

Have you built off grid solar systems? I have. I didn't make my post to give a detailed explanation of how to do it, I made it to point out that the system is garbage and overpriced. Besides, you clearly don't have a clue other than what you assume in reading posts on the internet. Don't be a dick.

I also have done solar installs and can second Rick James. This is overpriced garbage. If you really want to help the environment, carbon footprint, reduce daytime peak usage, just buy a solar panel and a grid tie inverter(have it installed to code!) and be done with it. It will cost less and save more money.

solarminer.james

newbie

Activity: 13

Merit: 0

More Photos,

The SOLARMINER USB package also comes with THREE custom AC chargers (not adapters) and THREE solar panel stands:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c_rdsbW9utc/UyJ70k9YchI/AAAAAAAAAGY/XDbNgywwUdY/w913-h685-no/DSCF0849.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0deezyanHjU/UyJ8OG_P83I/AAAAAAAAAGk/B3Fdb9PxdkQ/w913-h685-no/DSCF0865.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-imOyUsr1tiw/UyJ7u7qEcvI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/BCoSVJNhucs/w913-h685-no/DSCF0831.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p733lWgOvs4/UyJ7bVkCjmI/AAAAAAAAAGI/TzvqP5filnU/w913-h685-no/DSCF0835.JPG

solarminer.james

newbie

Activity: 13

Merit: 0

Quote from: cozk on March 13, 2014, 01:27:38 PM

You'll lose more money with down time - trying to get this shit work 24/7 (night time is a huge issue here) - than you would by paying for electricity.

The entire package includes three AC adapters to be used at night times.

lajz99

hero member

Activity: 756

Merit: 500

Thanks for this post, gave me a good chuckle. Great DIY project but I can't see any reason to ever purchase such a device...

RickJamesBTC

sr. member

Activity: 378

Merit: 250

Quote from: fractalbc on March 12, 2014, 10:11:38 PM

Quote from: RickJamesBTC on December 19, 2013, 06:31:01 PM

So an overpriced solar panel with overpriced li-phos batteries that will only last two years and a nifty looking USB hub? Really people if you want a solar powered USB hub you can slap one together with ease. You can buy solar panels with charge controllers for less than $1 per watt now, get some car batteries and a power inverter and use any gear you want. What's the situation where someone needs this and it save them any money over a power bill? Stuffed full of the most power hungry USB asics, it will barely operate, the batteries wouldn't last through the evening so it needs to be plugged in...

At least his batteries will last two years. A car battery won't last 2 months in a deep cycle application. 12v inverters generally suck for efficiency.

I don't argue your main point that it looks a bit overpriced for what it delivers but hey, people will pay for a Prius to increase their carbon footprint while telling themselves they are helping it, so why not this product. And besides, you clearly don't understand any of the engineering issues you need to solve to run a solar powered rig.

Now, ifen you had said "golf cart batteries" it woulda shown that you a) know the difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries and b) know the cheapest deep cycle battery on the planet. Bonus points woulda been given if you mentioned the need to provide ventilation and store them away from fire or flame.

Have you built off grid solar systems? I have. I didn't make my post to give a detailed explanation of how to do it, I made it to point out that the system is garbage and overpriced. Besides, you clearly don't have a clue other than what you assume in reading posts on the internet. Don't be a dick.

mightycount

member

Activity: 101

Merit: 10

Quote from: cozk on March 13, 2014, 01:27:38 PM

You'll lose more money with down time - trying to get this shit work 24/7 (night time is a huge issue here) - than you would by paying for electricity.

Watching... Here's my situation: at night, my electricity is 10 cents a KWh. During the day, it varies between 15 and 30 cents. If I could cut the day shifts or even redistribute the load, I could save quite a bit. But $900 for just 37Gh sounds prohibitively expensive.

cozk

hero member

Activity: 812

Merit: 500

You'll lose more money with down time - trying to get this shit work 24/7 (night time is a huge issue here) - than you would by paying for electricity.

repairguy

sr. member

Activity: 252

Merit: 250

Quote from: fractalbc on March 12, 2014, 10:11:38 PM

Quote from: RickJamesBTC on December 19, 2013, 06:31:01 PM

So an overpriced solar panel with overpriced li-phos batteries that will only last two years and a nifty looking USB hub? Really people if you want a solar powered USB hub you can slap one together with ease. You can buy solar panels with charge controllers for less than $1 per watt now, get some car batteries and a power inverter and use any gear you want. What's the situation where someone needs this and it save them any money over a power bill? Stuffed full of the most power hungry USB asics, it will barely operate, the batteries wouldn't last through the evening so it needs to be plugged in...

At least his batteries will last two years. A car battery won't last 2 months in a deep cycle application. 12v inverters generally suck for efficiency.

I don't argue your main point that it looks a bit overpriced for what it delivers but hey, people will pay for a Prius to increase their carbon footprint while telling themselves they are helping it, so why not this product. And besides, you clearly don't understand any of the engineering issues you need to solve to run a solar powered rig.

Now, ifen you had said "golf cart batteries" it woulda shown that you a) know the difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries and b) know the cheapest deep cycle battery on the planet. Bonus points woulda been given if you mentioned the need to provide ventilation and store them away from fire or flame.

Car batteries would work as long as you don't discharge them more than 10-15%. I really want to get my hands on one of those ~300v prius batteries.

Also, Hydrogen in closed spaces is awesome, where is your sense of adventure?

fractalbc

full member

Activity: 192

Merit: 100

Quote from: RickJamesBTC on December 19, 2013, 06:31:01 PM

So an overpriced solar panel with overpriced li-phos batteries that will only last two years and a nifty looking USB hub? Really people if you want a solar powered USB hub you can slap one together with ease. You can buy solar panels with charge controllers for less than $1 per watt now, get some car batteries and a power inverter and use any gear you want. What's the situation where someone needs this and it save them any money over a power bill? Stuffed full of the most power hungry USB asics, it will barely operate, the batteries wouldn't last through the evening so it needs to be plugged in...

At least his batteries will last two years. A car battery won't last 2 months in a deep cycle application. 12v inverters generally suck for efficiency.

I don't argue your main point that it looks a bit overpriced for what it delivers but hey, people will pay for a Prius to increase their carbon footprint while telling themselves they are helping it, so why not this product. And besides, you clearly don't understand any of the engineering issues you need to solve to run a solar powered rig.

Now, ifen you had said "golf cart batteries" it woulda shown that you a) know the difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries and b) know the cheapest deep cycle battery on the planet. Bonus points woulda been given if you mentioned the need to provide ventilation and store them away from fire or flame.

testcoin

sr. member

Activity: 465

Merit: 250

Quote from: Warning__3 on March 12, 2014, 06:00:10 PM

If the price will be within my limit, it sure is interesting! Wink

The price is around $900 and it sounds expensive

It's not within my budget, and electricity is quite cheap here in my town

But I'd still think it's a nice project. Hope that there will be a price cut later so that I may give it a try

minereu.com

sr. member

Activity: 244

Merit: 250

Really interesting device. But in the UK... probably not enough sunshine.

Suave

newbie

Activity: 57

Merit: 0

This is very interesting. I'll be watching this thread to see where this goes. Cool idea lightfoot. Keep at it.

Warning__3

full member

Activity: 154

Merit: 100

If the price will be within my limit, it sure is interesting! Wink

lightfoot

legendary

Activity: 3164

Merit: 2258

I fix broken miners. And make holes in teeth :-)

Honest answer: I had them on my roof. 1800 watts of Siemens 75 watt single crystaline panels. With some shading around here I was pulling about 8-10kw a day. Not bad, but cute.

7 years later there was a hole in the roof shingles. Granted they were older, but it turned out that leaves had gotten under the panels in one spot and the acid in them burned a hole in my shingles. Cost $1,200 to have the panels taken off the roof (and a LOT of calls, the installers had long since gone and no one wanted to do it) and with the new roof on I figured "screw this, put them on the shed".

So they're all grid-tied right now, although the install does not meet NEC 2010 so it's somewhat renegade although the SB1800 and dual SB700's are fully certified for grid isolation and all that. So I can't put power back into the grid. But I can run my miners on the shed as long as they consume more than the panels can generate. So there you go.

C

The One

legendary

Activity: 924

Merit: 1000

One would be better off installing proper solar panels on the roof, if one can afford it, and use it to power your mining rig. Batteries would need to be deep cycle marine batteries as they last longer. Any surplus energy can be fed back into the grid or used to heat up water.

lightfoot

legendary

Activity: 3164

Merit: 2258

I fix broken miners. And make holes in teeth :-)

Note: I have about 2,000 watts of solar on one shed and 900 watts on the other. They're finally putting out power now that spring is coming and I'm moving about 3,000 watts worth of miners out into the shed.

This is enough to balance out the load of 850gh of hashing power while the sun is shining right on the panels, maybe 4 hours a day. That's it. Going 24 hours it would barely cover 100gh with batteries supporting the load.

What you really need to do is this:

Find an abandoned dam
Enter it with a penstock turbine, miners, and a cell phone
Set everything up
Leave

The cell phone would provide the internet, and so forth. That would work.

C

Photon939

sr. member

Activity: 452

Merit: 250

Antminers + Raspberry pi, ~40W @ 5vdc. Assume you use a crappy power supply that pulls 50W from the wall. Assume you have expensive electricity ($0.35/KWh) It would take 5.87 years for ROI on this device. (IE it would cost you the same as buying the power from a utility)

I commend you for going through the effort of designing these machines, but buyers will be restricted for those that may want to dabble with solar energy, not expect any real power savings.

Also are those solar panels epoxy encapsulated? Looks like they're plastic and leather.

Topic: The first Bitcoin Solar mining device coming soon - SolarMiner USB2 machine - page 2. (Read 9906 times)