Use Solar Power?  

RE: Use Solar Power?

I am not sure how reliable this would be.  Atleast for me, my weather would be limiting.  

Weather is limiting everywhere, it is just a matter of specifying enough batteries and enough panels to power them...  So you begin by calculating the load required, presumably it will be more than just a printer but add up the expected loads and a contingency overhead.

Decide whether to supply the printer with AC via an inverter or directly wire DC, slightly more efficient but more complicated.

Now look up the worst case light intensities and daylengths for your area and fit batteries and panels to supply your demands at that rate.

I've never done it for a printer but right now I am calculating solar power for a standalone lifesize play Tardis complete with wheezing dematerialisation sounds and flashing lights; exactly the same process.

Cheerio.

RE:

Posted by: @diem

Weather is limiting everywhere, it is just a matter of specifying enough batteries and enough panels to power them...  So you begin by calculating the load required, presumably it will be more than just a printer but add up the expected loads and a contingency overhead.

Decide whether to supply the printer with AC via an inverter or directly wire DC, slightly more efficient but more complicated.

Now look up the worst case light intensities and daylengths for your area and fit batteries and panels to supply your demands at that rate.

I've never done it for a printer but right now I am calculating solar power for a standalone lifesize play Tardis complete with wheezing dematerialisation sounds and flashing lights; exactly the same process.

Cheerio.

There is nothing fundamentally unique about solar power. If the voltage is right, power is power. I would not run the printer off DC. A solar power and battery system will vary in output voltage, and the printer does not use 12V, so the DC system would be more unique. I would use a decent pure sine wave inverter and the supplied power brick so you get stable power input. Some power supplies don't do well on the stepped output voltage inverters. You have to figure what the usage is for the printer and make sure you have enough batteries to handle your longest print in case the sun does not appear.

LiFePO4 batteries are the way to go these days. They are just so much less hassle and if you consider their long life, more cost effective than lead acid batteries. There are many, many suppliers now. Will Prowse does good reviews and teardowns.

I have solar panels and batteries on my camper, and some extra panels to deploy off the camper if needed. My batteries are sized for 2-3 days of normal usage in case there is no sun. I haven't run my printer off the system but there is no reason it would not work.

Regards,

Mark