Solar Powered Computer?

[kdawwgg1221]

Hello!
 

I have recently purchased a new solar panel, charge controller, battery, and DC to AC inverter. 

Ratings for each component:

• Solar Panel: 5W, 12V-(~0.416 amps)
• Charge Controller: 12V/24V, Max power ~390W @12V, Max Current Rating ~30A
• Battery: 12V, 7Ah, Operating Current ~2.12Amps
• DC to AC inverter: 500W ~120V ~4.16Amps

I hooked everything up to it and then plugged in a surge protector 6-strip with my PC connected to it. It turned on and began to post, but in the process my PSU was buzzing and I dis not like the sound. Why is it making this noise and is it safe to use?

[2SidedPolygon]

Does it make that sound when it's just plugged into the wall normally?

[kdawwgg1221]

Just now, 2SidedPolygon said:

Does it make that sound when it's just plugged into the wall normally?

No no not at all. I know it isn't normal for a PSU to buzz like so, but it has so many variables that could cause problems and I am no electrician. Just the basics 

[knightslugger]

2 minutes ago, Mr. horse said:

Alot of inverters are rather dirty and put out poor AC power.

yup. i'd put money on a junk inverter.

[WereCatf]

27 minutes ago, kdawwgg1221 said:

DC to AC inverter: 500W ~120V ~4.16Amps

Is it a pure sine-wave inverter or modified sine-wave? If it's modified sine-wave, that'd explain the noise.

[Nocte]

Alternatively you could also hook the PC up to a UPS so that the UPS delivers clean power to your PC.

[kdawwgg1221]

23 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

Is it a pure sine-wave inverter or modified sine-wave? If it's modified sine-wave, that'd explain the noise.

how do I determine which is which?

 

[kdawwgg1221]

47 minutes ago, knightslugger said:

yup. i'd put money on a junk inverter.

It is probably a junk inverter. I didnt buy the setup to power my PC tho. Just a little project to mess with. So a UPS would deliver cleaner power?

[kdawwgg1221]

51 minutes ago, Mr. horse said:

EDIT: it could be that you PSU does not have enough amps too. I recall PSUs making funky sound with to low of AC amps.

Could be this too. I plan on upgrading the battery to a larger deep-cycle, and will look into an uninterruptible power supply as well 

[BrinkGG]

5 minutes ago, Nocte said:

Alternatively you could also hook the PC up to a UPS so that the UPS delivers clean power to your PC.

I was thinking exactly this, but this is technically what the battery and DC to AC power converter is... So it's a bit redundant. 

@kdawwgg1221 I'd look at a better DC to AC converter if it is less then a cheap UPS. Might also be worth it to get a Kill-o-watt or multimeter and look at the incoming amperage for the DC to AC converter. 

A UPS should be a consideration though. It would definitely clean up the power going to your pc. 

[kdawwgg1221]

Just now, Brink2Three said:

Kill-o-watt or multimeter

The Kill-o-watt's are on my radar as well. I just thought I would poke around with solar panels. I may just upgrade the inverter if that would technically help. A UPS seems to be a guarantee tho right?

[Nocte]

2 hours ago, Brink2Three said:

I was thinking exactly this, but this is technically what the battery and DC to AC power converter is... So it's a bit redundant. 

@kdawwgg1221 I'd look at a better DC to AC converter if it is less then a cheap UPS. Might also be worth it to get a Kill-o-watt or multimeter and look at the incoming amperage for the DC to AC converter. 

A UPS should be a consideration though. It would definitely clean up the power going to your pc. 

You could potentially try it and if it does not work return it on the same day?