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Solar Panel For PTZ Camera

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I don't see why it wouldn't work but you can't just put one on a solar cell. Since solar cells put out DC, you will need an inverter to convert the DC to 120VAC and a transformer to convert 120VAC to 24VAC. You would also need a battery system to store the power from the solar cell so that the PTZ would work at night and when it is cloudy, etc. outside.

 

The entire system must be designed with enough reserve to account for inefficiencies in the inverter and the camera power supply (they are usually each about 75-80% efficient, so the total efficiency would be 56% (.75x.75).

 

You will have to have a battery power system capable of handling the PTZ motors, camera and lens (usually 20VA or more) plus any heaters/blowers for at least 12-14 hours and the solar cell must be capable of powering all of that and recharging the batteries simultaneously.

 

EXAMPLE:

Say your PTZ needs 40VA. Your power system should be able to handle at least double that plus extra to recharge the batteries. With a 12 volt battery, 40VA equals 3-1/3 amps. Double that (for inefficiencies) would be approximately 7amps times 12 hours requires an 80(+) ampere-hour battery. The solar cell would need that much power to run the PTZ plus enough to charge the battery, say 160VA.

 

NOTE: VA (voltamps) is approximately the same as watts.

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Ive used some of the Videoalarm gear for rual apps, perhaps you can find their gear effective for your application.....http://www.videolarm.com/content/com.videolarm.productfamilies.ProductFamily/215/SolarPwr.pdf

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I don't see why it wouldn't work but you can't just put one on a solar cell. Since solar cells put out DC, you will need an inverter to convert the DC to 120VAC and a transformer to convert 120VAC to 24VAC. You would also need a battery system to store the power from the solar cell so that the PTZ would work at night and when it is cloudy, etc. outside.

 

The entire system must be designed with enough reserve to account for inefficiencies in the inverter and the camera power supply (they are usually each about 75-80% efficient, so the total efficiency would be 56% (.75x.75).

 

You will have to have a battery power system capable of handling the PTZ motors, camera and lens (usually 20VA or more) plus any heaters/blowers for at least 12-14 hours and the solar cell must be capable of powering all of that and recharging the batteries simultaneously.

 

EXAMPLE:

Say your PTZ needs 40VA. Your power system should be able to handle at least double that plus extra to recharge the batteries. With a 12 volt battery, 40VA equals 3-1/3 amps. Double that (for inefficiencies) would be approximately 7amps times 12 hours requires an 80(+) ampere-hour battery. The solar cell would need that much power to run the PTZ plus enough to charge the battery, say 160VA.

 

NOTE: VA (voltamps) is approximately the same as watts.

 

40 VA for 7 hours of sun u will need about 82 watts solar panel

40 VA for 4 hours of sun u will need about 144 watts solar panel

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Would be a lot easier if your camera and PTZ unit were running on 12vdc or 24vdc. Need to store this as DC(solar panel) in a battery form. Harder to change DC back to AC( especially "true sine wave" AC). Mostly done the other way. You will need some sort of "charge controller" to insure no overcharging of battery, and a lot more devices.(diodes, etc.) You can Google the necessary items.

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