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	<title>OnSolar Blog &#187; General / Handy Information</title>
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	<link>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog</link>
	<description>OnSolar 12V DC CFL Lighting Lamps and Bulbs</description>
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		<title>A beautiful little 3.5-inch digital TV</title>
		<link>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/243/3-5-inch-digital-tv/</link>
		<comments>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/243/3-5-inch-digital-tv/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:50:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General / Handy Information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recommended Products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[12v digital tv]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3.5 inch digital tv]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[battery powered digital tv]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small 12v tv]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/?p=243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A 3.5-inch digital TV to watch TV on your travels. It has a built in speaker and headphone socket plus a MicroSD socket to playback MP3s  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><span style="color: #ff6600;">Sometimes at OnSolar, we sniff out a bargain which is worthy of much closer inspection. This little digital TV is a proper little bargain especially as it can play all your Mp3&#8217;s via the SD socket!!!</span></h2>
<div><span style="color: #ff6600;"></span></div>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600;"></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://track.webgains.com/click.html?wgprogramid=214&amp;wgcampaignid=60785&amp;wgtarget=http://www.maplin.co.uk/3.5-inch-portable-digital-tv-505514?ordercode=A12KJ&amp;C=Email-Newsletter&amp;U=11P10-4WG-A12KJ&amp;T=[[ID]]&amp;utm_source=Newsletter&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_content=A12KJ&amp;utm_campaign=11P10-4WG" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/lifestyle/A12KJ.jpg" border="0" alt="3.5-inch Portable Digital TV (A12KJ)" width="369" height="252" /></a></p>
<h2><a href="http://track.webgains.com/click.html?wgprogramid=214&amp;wgcampaignid=60785&amp;wgtarget=http://www.maplin.co.uk/3.5-inch-portable-digital-tv-505514?ordercode=A12KJ&amp;C=Email-Newsletter&amp;U=11P10-4WG-A12KJ&amp;T=[[ID]]&amp;utm_source=Newsletter&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_content=A12KJ&amp;utm_campaign=11P10-4WG" target="_blank">3.5-inch Portable Digital TV</a> </h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Code: A12KJ 3.5 inch Digital TV Product Highlights:<br />
3.5-inch digital TV to watch TV on your travels Built in speaker and headphone socket and importanty, a dedicated MicroSD socket to playback MP3s<br />
 <br />
</span><span style="color: #ff0000;">Voucher price just £46.99</span></p>
<p>What Maplin says&#8230;  </p>
<div id="POverview">
<div id="ctl00_plcContentMain_BodyBottom_pnlBullets">
<ul>
<li>3.5-inch digital TV to watch TV on your travels</li>
<li>Built in speaker and headphone socket</li>
<li>MicroSD socket to playback MP3s</li>
<li>Internal flexible aerial tucks away into the TV when not in use</li>
<li>Integral rechargeable battery</li>
<li>Automatic or manual station search</li>
<li>Compact pocket size</li>
<li>Complete with holding stand for table viewing</li>
<li>EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)</li>
<li>Convenient USB (Mini-B) charging socket</li>
<li>Dimensions (W x H x D): 110 x 73 x 16 mm</li>
<li>Weight: 142g (including battery)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="ctl00_plcContentMain_BodyBottom_pnlBody">
<p>Never miss your favourite episode again with this portable digital TV. It is very easy to set up, a simple scan will detect all the channels in your area.</p>
</div>
</div>
</h4>
<p></span></p>
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		<title>12V Lighting For Stable Block or Barns</title>
		<link>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/147/12v-lighting-for-stable-block-or-barns/</link>
		<comments>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/147/12v-lighting-for-stable-block-or-barns/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 19:39:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General / Handy Information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[12v barn lighting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[12v lighting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[12v solar lighting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barn lighting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stable lighting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stable lights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/?p=147</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most gratifying things a horse owner can do is to install a simple 12v lighting system into the stable to allow maintenance routines to be carried out throughout the year in complete [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong><span style="color: #008000;">With the advent of special 12V DC, high efficiency Compact Fluorescent lighting from <a href="http://www.onsolar.co.uk">OnSolar.co.uk</a>, it is possible to install powerful lighting almost anywhere!</span></strong></h2>
<div id="attachment_165" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 311px"><img class="size-full wp-image-165" title="barn-lighting" src="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/barn-lighting.jpg" alt="Use 12v OnSolar Low Energy lamps for barn and stable lighting" width="301" height="399" /><p class="wp-caption-text">12V DC CFL Lighting</p></div>
<p>One of the most gratifying things a horse owner can do is to install a simple 12v  lighting system into the stable block allow maintenance routines to be carried out throughout the year in complete safety. It is amazing the difference a couple of well placed low energy fluorescent lamps can make. Even a small <a href="http://www.onsolar.co.uk/12V-7W-CCFL.shtml" target="_blank">12v 7 Watt cold cathode compact fluorescent lamp</a> will provide illumination similar to a regular 40 watt incandescent lamp, so as you can see, this is going to be Very useful light!</p>
<p>For some horse and pony owners, it can be a little disconcerting to be working perhaps a mile of more from the nearest homestead and perhaps in failing light conditions. Usually, one will of course have a reliable torch to help guide the way. However, wouldn&#8217;t it be a lot better if the areas you need to work in were brightly lit? Of course it would, but How?  Take a look at the diagram below.</p>
<div>It is relatively easy for anyone to install a simple lighting circuit but we would also like to point out that this should not be undertaken as a spur of the moment project; one should make sure that all components are fit for purpose, safe and that suitably rated fuse is installed to protect against short circuits. It is also prudent to ensure any cabling is installed so that animals cannot gain access to it. Depending on how you feel about it, you may also wish to install a simple Car radio to provide a little company for yourself and your animal(s).  You can then tune into some tasteful music whilst your are grooming your horse for example.</div>
<p>As the diagram below illustrates, for installations requiring long cable runs, there may be a slight voltage drop as power reaches the final or last lamp in a chain but providing quality cabling is used and the length is not too long, there should not be any problems.</p>
<h3><a href="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/simple-12v-lighting-circuit1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-149 aligncenter" title="simple-12v-lighting-circuit" src="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/simple-12v-lighting-circuit1.jpg" alt="12v stable lighting circuit" width="527" height="520" /></a></h3>
<p>Unless using multiple cable runs, one should not exceed the recommended maximum amperage for the chosen cabling. A 7 watt CCFL lamp can be considered as using around .6 of an amp so using four will equal around 2.5 amps which will be just fine for an average application with up to around 20 meters of distributing cabling. Regular domestic 2.5mm &#8216;twin &amp; earth&#8217; from a local DIY store will be just fine. However, one may need to consider damage from rodents and of course be sure to install a simple car style blade fuse of say 5 amps (in the example here).If at all possible, it is of benefit to install a modest solar PV panel of around 40 watts or more to keep your battery in good health and to ensure power is available at all times.  Of course, if you were planning to be a little more extravagant and use more or larger lamps than in the illustration above, one would require a larger PV (photovoltaic panel) of perhaps 80 watts or more; assuming an hour or two an evening using your lighting circuit.</p>
<p>Many things can effect the potential to collect and store electrical current: One may need to consider their site, position, prevailing weather conditions, worst case scenarios such as poor winters (when very little power may be collected form a PV cell), etc.</p>
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		<title>How Long Will My Battery Last With a Given Load?</title>
		<link>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/144/how-long-will-my-battery-last-with-a-given-load/</link>
		<comments>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/144/how-long-will-my-battery-last-with-a-given-load/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 21:36:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General / Handy Information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[battery ah]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[calculate battery capacity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[watt hours]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/?p=144</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[That is a Good Question!
<p>This is a very important factor when calculating what size of battery to use  for your project.</p>
<p>It doesn&#8217;t matter if your building a small solar PV system to enable you to  have some light in your shed or workshop or designing your first electric car, it is going to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><span style="color: #ff0000;">That is a Good Question!</span></h1>
<p><strong><span style="color: #800000;">This is a very important factor when calculating what size of battery to use  for your project.</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2v-lead-acid-battery.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-155" title="2v-lead-acid-battery" src="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2v-lead-acid-battery.jpg" alt="A single 2v lead acid battery" width="140" height="382" /></a>It doesn&#8217;t matter if your building a small solar PV system to enable you to  have some light in your shed or workshop or designing your first electric car, it is going to be Very valuable to know how  to calculate your battery size correctly.  So, how can I do this then?</p>
<p>You need to be able to calculate the Watt Hours you intend to use and the power available from your chosen  battery pack. To give you an idea I will illustrate this for you&#8230;</p>
<p>You are using a 12V Lead Acid or Gel battery pack with a 10 Amp Hour rating.  Now then; a fully charged Lead Acid battery (in as new condition) will have a  cell voltage of 2.2V. When we multiply this by the number of cells in a 12V  battery (which is 6) we calculate that the voltage will be 13.2V. If we take the  battery voltage and multiply it by the battery capacity (which in this case is  10Ah), we get the available watt hour or WH potential of 132. To break this down  into usable date we can see that a <a href="http://www.onsolar.co.uk/12V-7W-CCFL.shtml" target="_blank">7 Watt CCFL lamp</a> would last for around 18 hours  (132 divide by 7) before the battery was almost completely exhausted. For a  larger project, we can calculate as follows: 2000 amp hour 12V battery bank.  Fully charges to 13.2V gives a watt hour &#8216;WH&#8217; rating of 26,400 watts. I have to  say, it would be a bit reckless to completely discharge ones battery in whatever  application you have in mind so we strongly advise using or drawing power down  to around 50% OR doubling the size of your battery to give extra reserve. It is  also worth bearing in mind that a regular grade lead acid / gel battery of say  3-5 years of age may well be working at around 50% capacity and may also be less  efficient to charge (takes longer and or absorbs less of the charge  power).</p>
<p>Ok, so lets look at installing a simple shed lighting installation then. Ok,  so we want to use a 12V battery and we need to use a single <a href="http://www.onsolar.co.uk/12V-11W-CFL.shtml" target="_blank">11Watt CFL lamp</a> to  provide strong illumination. If using the lamps for say 3 hours a day (night),  we would use 33 watt hours a day. Over 7 days we would consume over 230 watt  hours of available power. The nearest size battery to provide this level of  power would probably be around 20 Ah (amp hours), but because we don&#8217;t want to  end up completely discharging the battery we suggest doubling this to 40Ah. In  this case a regular sized Car Battery may suffice. However, using a modest solar  PV cell and regulator would ensure the battery was kept in peak condition at all  times.</p>
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		<title>Anyone Can Build An Electric Car</title>
		<link>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/124/anyone-can-build-an-electric-car/</link>
		<comments>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/124/anyone-can-build-an-electric-car/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:50:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General / Handy Information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[battery car]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[build an electric car]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[build ev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electric car conversion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electric vehicle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/?p=124</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is involved then; there must be a massive amount of parts and gizmos involved to do something like this? Not really, take a look below to see the main [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You Want To Know How To Build Your Own Electric Car?<br />
Did you ever think that making an electric car or doing a conversion would be nice but were put off by the price and or possible complexity?</p>
<div id="attachment_125" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 210px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-125" title="charging your electric car" src="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/charging-your-electric-car-200x300.jpg" alt="Just plug your electric in for a few cents or pence each day and start saving!" width="200" height="300" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Just plug your electric car in for a few cents or pence each day and start saving!</p></div>
<p>We are all unhappy about the endless cycle of spending good money every week at the Petrol or Gas station right? Actually, No we are NOT stuck Spoon feeding the big oil companies our hard earnt income every single week!</p>
<p>Oh yeah, just go build an electric car&#8230; You’re probably already thinking that this is out of the question right? Possibly you have never even serviced your car let alone considered <a href="http://build-an-electric-car-easy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">converting an electric car</a>&#8230; Well, the truth is that virtually anyone can tackle a project like this by following a thorough and truly well made guide. Yes, it’s true you would almost certainly be able to convert a regular gasoline powered car to running on electricity just by following a really well made recipe or road map. A steps made by someone who has already successfully converted regular cars into &#8216;EV&#8217;s&#8217; to run on batteries.</p>
<p>Stop using that over priced, air polluting garbage you find yourself having to put into your car every week and think about the simplicity of just hooking up your vehicle to charge at your own home&#8230; sounds good don’t it? You really could do a conversion, even if you truly are a novice with little or no knowledge of the workings of automotive engines.</p>
<p>Vehicle owners who have done this are so excited about it they just want to spread the word. Why is this? The reason is because it works, simple as that! The parts and information now available to people like you and I is fantastic!<br />
I think we all know why there is a fair amount of negativity about electric car out there, after all if we all what is nobody wanted that oil anymore!</p>
<p>It’s your life, your time to make a break and do something which will really make you feel very happy.</p>
<p>What is involved then; there must be a massive amount of parts and gizmos involved to do something like this? Not really, take a look below to see the main components. Of course there is more to it and other modifications which will be employed to complete the conversion but all is explained in the instantly downloadable program which I am recommending to you. See the main parts here:</p>
<p>1: An special AC Electric Motor. Your regular petrol / gasoline motor unit is removed (and usually sold on if still good) and is replaced with: A small electric motor – this replaces the complete oil laden motor train.</p>
<p>2: A set of high-tec batteries is installed. This provides the power source which your vehicle will power you on a daily basis.</p>
<p>3: A speed control. This is like an overgrown version of a domestic lighting dimmer switch and provides the vehicles speed control via your regular accelerator pedal.</p>
<p>4: A battery charger. Just like a standard battery charger only bigger! Plug in your homes ac supply to replenish the power you use.</p>
<p>You will learn not only how to do the entire conversion step by step to enable you to build a fabulous electric car of your own but also details of how to source all the parts at really low, bargain prices &#8211; this priceless information will really bring a smile to your face. There is an massive amount of money and time saving advice and recommendations to allow you to get your project off the ground and running saving you endless hours of head scratching. Without the proper information, building / making an electric car converting an electric car could be a waste you a lot of money and time nightmare so go get your no risk e-book right now and make your EV dream come true.</p>
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		<title>Keeping A Healthy 12v Battery Pack!</title>
		<link>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/47/keeping-a-healthy-12v-battery-pack/</link>
		<comments>http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/47/keeping-a-healthy-12v-battery-pack/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2009 21:33:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General / Handy Information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[battery condition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lead acid battery maintenance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[testing a battery]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/?p=47</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In our experience, one of the quickest ways to destroy a lead acid battery  set is to regularly discharge it to a low voltage. We would not advise running a  battery below around 75% capacity or below around 12.3v as it&#8217;s life will be  dramatically shortened.

<p class="wp-caption-text">Battery condition / state of charge [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>In our experience, one of the quickest ways to destroy a lead acid battery  set is to regularly discharge it to a low voltage. We would not advise running a  battery below around 75% capacity or below around 12.3v as it&#8217;s life will be  dramatically shortened.</div>
<div>
<div id="attachment_48" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 468px"><img class="size-full wp-image-48" title="battery-condition" src="http://onsolar.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/battery-condition.jpg" alt="Battery condition / state of charge chart" width="458" height="507" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Battery condition / state of charge chart</p></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>Another area which must be regularly checked is the external condition of  the battery top(s) including vent plugs, caps, terminals and connecting cables.   After several months in service, a Lead Acid battery can produce a fine &#8216;mist  like&#8217; corrosive film on itself including it&#8217;s terminals and cable connectors.  left unchecked this will result in problems including a higher rate of self  discharge and eventually corrosion. Just one year of poor maintenance can put a  battery into an early decline and see your project failing prematurely.</div>
<div>A battery can be cleaned quite easily using a prepared mix of water soapy  water to wash away the layer of acid encrusted dust (the layer of mist). Acid  spillages or more prominent areas of &#8217;sweating&#8217; or damp should be removed using  a strong solution of baking soda in water, finally rinsing with clean water.  Care must be taken to avoid any cleaning substance entering the battery, vent  plug or any automatic battery top up devices. After cleaning, a nice smear of  petroleum jelly can be liberally applied to any metal parts and contact areas.  Ensure that all connections are tight, corrosion and rust free. Cables with any  visible damage, burns or missing insulation should be repaired or replaced to  prevent future problems.</div>
</div>
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