Small solar panel/s for stable block.

[DeeGee]

Sorry if this has been covered in previous posts, but I rarely go on this particular topic.

I need to provide LED lighting to a stable block and am hoping to do so using a few small panels. The total lighting wattage would be probably no more than about 200 watts, say half a dozen @ 10w and maybe a couple at 30 or 50w. No power sockets needed.

What sort of panel/s would I need for this sort of requirement, and roughly what cost would be involved? TIA

 

[Highland Mule]

Do the sums yourself, based on what you think you'll need:

How many lights and for how long will they be on? (Watt-hrs). A 50W LED is seriously bright, by the way.

Work out how much battery storage you'll need - probably aim for 12V wet batteries (Leisure batteries ideal) and base it on having a few days of storage in case of overcast weather. Batteries generally quote in Amp-hours, based on 12volts. Since W = A x V, you can calculate the storage needed: 600W-h use and 3 days' storage would be 1800W-h, or 150A-h at 12V.

Then you need to work out how many panels you need to charge it back up again. 1.8kWh is three domestic 'units'. Depending on where you are in the country, do you have a friend that could tell you what they get from their domestic solar system close to you, in the middle of winter?

As a prediction, you don't need that wattage of lighting, and any sensible number of panels won't give you enough over winter, so you'd be better with a small generator and perhaps a battery powered light or two that can give background. If you really need them all available without starting the genny, then get one anyway and use it to charge your battery array once or twice a week.

 

[upnortheast]

Problem is you need lighting at the time of year when your panels are producing bugger all.
Figures are readily available of likley yield from panels by month.
As suggested above a small genny will be the most economic option

 

[gmgmgm]

If it's a small stable block, have a look at https://www.photonicuniverse.com/ who I've used for simple all-in kits for outbuildings/sheds, and they are very helpful on the phone. That should give you rough prices for off-grid systems.

Big systems are not cheap!

Consider also the little solar LED PIR lights on amazon/ebay- those are very simple and reliable, and will provide lighting around a building to avoid walking into things.

 

[Ukjay]

Sorry if this has been covered in previous posts, but I rarely go on this particular topic.

I need to provide LED lighting to a stable block and am hoping to do so using a few small panels. The total lighting wattage would be probably no more than about 200 watts, say half a dozen @ 10w and maybe a couple at 30 or 50w. No power sockets needed.

What sort of panel/s would I need for this sort of requirement, and roughly what cost would be involved? TIA

Is running a cable totally out of the question?

 

[DeeGee]

Is running a cable totally out of the question?

It would cost quite a lot, but not totally out of the question. I just assumed that solar panels just to run LED lights would be a relatively cheap and simple solution for a stable block that is some 100m from nearest mains power.

 

[Highland Mule]

It would cost quite a lot, but not totally out of the question. I just assumed that solar panels just to run LED lights would be a relatively cheap and simple solution for a stable block that is some 100m from nearest mains power.

100m of armoured cable would be far cheaper, I'd think. The digger cost will be more than the cable (£150), but shouldn't be that bad or you could hire a machine and do it yourself. Make sure you put it in a duct if there's a chance you'll add other things later (data, water etc.)

 

[Ukjay]

It would cost quite a lot, but not totally out of the question. I just assumed that solar panels just to run LED lights would be a relatively cheap and simple solution for a stable block that is some 100m from nearest mains power.

If its only 100mtr, you could get SWA very reasonably, then you have more options vs solar.
example of cost:

Superlec 6943X 3CORE 6MM SWA BS5467 STEEL WIRE ARMOURED CABLE - HARMONISED CORES

Please note: If you require advice on which cable to use, how and where to install it, it is recommended that you will need to contact the relevant qualified tradesperson for the job as the Superlec Direct Team are not qualified electricians.

www.superlecdirect.com

I would drop a 6mm SWA cable in with a consumer unit to cover voltage drop over 4mm personally (but you could use 4mm but may regret it later if you get rid of horses and want more power). Just remember that you will need a TT earthing (not expensive - just an earth rod into the ground basic concept) - as 4 legged animals can suffer electric shock easier than us due to 4 legs on the ground and this gives the passage of current through the animal.

 

[upnortheast]

I would think 4mm 3core armoured would do your job. Probably just over £2 a metre. ( Best take pro advice on that )
Be a far better job than trying to run it on sunshine

 

[Exfarmer]

It will mostcertainly be cheaper laying a cable. In fact for 1 amp draw the cable you need will be very light. Certain 1 mm 3 core armoured would do if such is available
although I do not recomend it, many people have got away with Laying a standard lighting 2 core plus earth far further than that, but you must absolutely make sure you have a good earth trip!
i know one sight ,admittedly put in 50 years ago where such a cable was taken diagonally across a field 800 metres plus, using a subsoiler, just to run a standard light bulb

 

[f0ster]

if you want 16A at 100m you will require 10mm2 cable with 5% volt drop, if you drop down to 6A 2.5mm2 will do it.

 

[Ukjay]

if you want 16A at 100m you will require 10mm2 cable with 5% volt drop, if you drop down to 6A 2.5mm2 will do it.

But Obvs think of future potential - no point having a mains feed that you can do nothing with.

 

[Exfarmer]

They are just looking at 200 watts of light that is .8 amp !
so much of todays work is now done with rechargeable tools I very much doubt a 16 amp supply can be justified

 

[Highland Mule]

They are just looking at 200 watts of light that is .8 amp !

Exactly - and LEDs won’t care about a voltage drop anyway.

 

[Exfarmer]

Exactly - and LEDs won’t care about a voltage drop anyway.

I did edit my post afterwards

 

[2wheels]

mr beams battery powered led. put one with motion/light sensor on son's front door. so far the 3 d type batteries have lasted 9mths.

 

[Ukjay]

mr beams battery powered led. put one with motion/light sensor on son's front door. so far the 3 d type batteries have lasted 9mths.

Unfortunately with horses, if you create too many shadows you can end up with a damaged barn as they kick the hell out of it as they are uneasy due to the poor lighting.
Fickle animals horses and light is one area that can spook them, so need to think carefully on how you do it.
Also, mucking out with crap lighting is dangerous, and should be avoided.

 

[2wheels]

Unfortunately with horses, if you create too many shadows you can end up with a damaged barn as they kick the hell out of it as they are uneasy due to the poor lighting.
Fickle animals horses and light is one area that can spook them, so need to think carefully on how you do it.
Also, mucking out with crap lighting is dangerous, and should be avoided.

put up more than 1?

 

[DeeGee]

Many thanks for all the replies: seems that solar is not really feasible even for just LED lighting to about 300w?
If this is the case I will look into running an underground armoured cable down there. Should this be sleeved in the red trunking as used by the utility companies or would 3” drainage coil do if the cable is armoured?

 

[Highland Mule]

Many thanks for all the replies: seems that solar is not really feasible even for just LED lighting to about 300w?
If this is the case I will look into running an underground armoured cable down there. Should this be sleeved in the red trunking as used by the utility companies or would 3” drainage coil do if the cable is armoured?

How big is the stable? I have a pair of 50W lights in a three bay Dutch barn and it’s lit up like daylight when they’re on.

I’d really work out what wattage you need, for how long, before you go too far down either route.