Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on powering a modem with solar energy at my remote property. The modem requires a 12V and 3Amp draw, and ideally, I'd prefer a solar setup that runs on 230V AC. I'm trying to set up a WiFi broadcast to deter some litterbugs that have been targeting the area. Are there any affordable and reliable solar panel options available in the EU? Do these systems typically come with a reserve battery? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
I'm curious how WiFi alone is expected to deter dumpers. You might want to consider using fake cameras with blinking red lights at night. Or get a camera that snaps pictures regularly and check them later. Seems more effective!
While you’re setting up the WiFi, don’t forget you might need cameras to keep an eye on things! You can consider using 5G cameras that don’t require internet for monitoring. Just to check, do you even have internet access at your property? If not, here's a link to a good option you might like: [Camera Link](https://www.amazon.com/Cellular-Security-Wireless-Surveillance-Detection/dp/B0CBPSJBVG/ref=asc_df_B0CBPSJBVG?)
To power your modem, you would need to consider the total power requirements. Since your modem draws 12V at 3 amps, that’s about 36 watts. For continuous use, you'll want enough solar capacity to cover this, so I’d recommend getting a 100W solar panel as it can generate between 300 to 500 watt hours a day on a good day. A 100AH lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery would give you around 1200 watt hours, which should be enough for your needs. Don't forget a good MPPT charge controller to manage the charge efficiently. Total cost would be around $400-$500 depending on what you choose.
That's spot on, but routers often consume less power than their adapters suggest. You might also want a buck/boost converter to handle voltage adjustments for your device.
Thanks for breaking this down! This gives me a solid plan to work from.
I’m not going for cameras since the wooded area won't give useful footage and they’re likely to get stolen. I'm hoping a WiFi signal and some signs will scare them off.