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Light Activation Switch

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24

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  • albyota
    albyota Posts: 1,106 Forumite
    I too have this set up, using a light dependent diode and a relay and via a 16 Amp contactor supplying the immersion heater, (average 1kW - 1.9kW (3kWp system) from the PV, the rest from the grid,) took a bit of setting up to get the light / shade level correct. I am also using a battery charger during the day 9am to 4pm to charge / top up a 110Ah leisure battery, then feed the battery through a PSW inverter to run the house lights in the evening, oh and I also programme the air source heat pump to come on at midday for an hour to boost the hot water cylinder.

    Grid.....? ;) 'where we're going........we don't need' Gggrids. 'Great Scott Marty' BTTF
    There are three types of people in this world...those that can count ...and those that can't! ;)

    * The Bitterness of Low Quality is Long Remembered after the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten!
  • energysavingexp
    energysavingexp Posts: 432 Forumite
    raider wrote: »
    I was looking into this idea when I had my SolarPV fitted. One solution I came up with was to use an x10 automation plug in module, connected to a 850w storage heater. Then using a program called automate on a running pc, grab the current solar output from sunny explorer. If it was over 1kw, turn the x10 module controlling the storage heater on, then re-checking the output maybe every 10 seconds or so.

    All worked out a little costly for the amount of money saved, so didn’t pursue it further.


    my system cost £5.99 for light switch and £5 for SSR 16AMP
    :beer:
  • energysavingexp
    energysavingexp Posts: 432 Forumite
    albyota wrote: »
    I too have this set up, using a light dependent diode and a relay and via a 16 Amp contactor supplying the immersion heater, (average 1kW - 1.9kW (3kWp system) from the PV, the rest from the grid,) took a bit of setting up to get the light / shade level correct. I am also using a battery charger during the day 9am to 4pm to charge / top up a 110Ah leisure battery, then feed the battery through a PSW inverter to run the house lights in the evening, oh and I also programme the air source heat pump to come on at midday for an hour to boost the hot water cylinder.

    Grid.....? ;) 'where we're going........we don't need' Gggrids. 'Great Scott Marty' BTTF

    sound like you are just like me.:rotfl:
    i charge my batterys up (2x80AMP) then run my 50" tv and pvr on them
    my hot water tank has 6 x 1KW heaters so i have connected one of them to the SSR
  • John29
    John29 Posts: 3 Newbie
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Hi energysavingexp
    Can you please advise details of your light switch.
    Regards
    John
  • energysavingexp
    energysavingexp Posts: 432 Forumite
    edited 21 September 2011 at 6:37PM
    John29 wrote: »
    Hi energysavingexp
    Can you please advise details of your light switch.
    Regards
    John


    hi John

    yeh its a light operated switch operated by a photo cell
    this triggers a 12v relay. its light Sensitivity is adjustable.
    set it to a light level so tht it turns off in cloud and on in bright light

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/light-sensitive-switch-kit-28574
    the unit is operated via a 12v plugin power supply

    link the +12v to the common on the relay then using the n/o contact as output this triggers the ssr (solid state relay)
    this has an switch load of 240v ac and 20 amp load capacity

    you dont need to have one this big (find them on ebay )

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-SSR-25A-Solid-State-Relay-3-32V-DC-24-380V-AC-Control-/370531973220?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item56456d3864
    using the contacts on the ssr to turn on /off what ever you want. things like electric towel rail or heater.
  • John29
    John29 Posts: 3 Newbie
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    That's brilliant. Thanks v much
    Rgds
    John
  • energysavingexp
    energysavingexp Posts: 432 Forumite
    John29 wrote: »
    That's brilliant. Thanks v much
    Rgds
    John


    make one for your self. if u need help contact me and ill help you ok
  • globalds
    globalds Posts: 9,431 Forumite
    Please tell me this isn't what it sounds ..That you can turn an oil heater on when the sun shines ?
  • energysavingexp
    energysavingexp Posts: 432 Forumite
    globalds wrote: »
    Please tell me this isn't what it sounds ..That you can turn an oil heater on when the sun shines ?


    yes it is.

    why not make the most of your solar power and use it to heat your water or towel rail.
  • BobA
    BobA Posts: 6 Forumite
    rogerblack wrote: »
    You could use a very simple solution.
    A tiny solar panel - around a watt or so, and a big relay.
    This will have the disadvantage it will switch with every little cloud, so will only be suitable for some loads. (convector heaters, immersion heaters, ...)


    This sounds a great idea - have you tried doing it? I would be very interested to know if it works.
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