On: How much load can be served from 1m² of sunlight

[ananonymoususer]

You could also use a desktop with one of these ATX power supplies that runs on 12VDC instead of 120/240VAC:

https://www.cartft.com/catalog/il/2302

[consumer451 → ananonymoususer]

Wow, I was not expecting that price! Is this just a rare item or is there something particularity expensive inside it?

[tyrells → consumer451]

Definitely are cheaper options too: https://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT

[fragmede → consumer451]

It's not a mass-market item so they're expensive to begin with, but I'd bet its current price is a function of the chip shortage we've been hearing about.

[brudgers → consumer451]

How much labor does it save?

How much trouble shooting does it eliminate?

How much experience does it make unnecessary?

Or to put it another way, at the point where 1500w of 12v source computer power supply makes sense, the price is not unreasonable.

[goodpoint → brudgers]

Not at all. At that absurd price it's cheaper to buy more solar panels and ignore the inefficiency.

[brudgers → goodpoint]

cheaper

Price sensitive shoppers are not in the product's market segment.

[cogman10 → ananonymoususer]

Looking at the size of this thing, I sort of doubt it's much more efficient than doing a DC->AC->DC conversion. In fact, I'll betcha that's exactly what's happening inside this beast to both get the right voltages and stabilize them.

[gens → cogman10]

It says 72% efficiency, so over 400W of heat at full load. Inverter to a normal PSU would be about the same, if not worse. It could be that it raises the voltage then drops it back down to 12V, but i'd sooner think it's just cheaper mosfets.

Anyway, these kinds of converters can usually regulate themselves.