Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Has anyone had experience using one of these?


Would I be able to run a 60 watt pump 24/7 with this? And also have extra time in the event it isn't sunny enough?

Goalzero sells the solar panels for this but is it possible to use non goal zero panels.

This thing? http://www.goalzero.com/p/140/goal-zero-yeti-1250-solar-generator

It's a 100AH lead acid battery built into a box with a charger and an inverter.

You could make your own for much less money

One of the major factors, you must remember is that every time you discharge a lead acid battery below 50% you diminish the number of cycles available and the deeper the discharge, the moor the damage, even with deep cycle batteries, though the damage is restricted in their case by the use of thicker plates.
The AH rate of a deep cycle batteries is determined by the what is commonly known as the 20 hr rate that is the maximum amps that can be withdrawn over a 20 hr period so a 100AH battery should be capable of discharging or powering a load of 5a (60 watt) continuously for 20 hrs, however in practical life you will only ave 50AH of real life or 10 hrs use.
many people will tell you of the number of times they have run their camper or auxiliary battery flat and it hasn't caused any problems until a couple of years down the track the battery has to be replaced, but that is because "Because it has been left sitting".
After 10 years of being completely off grid and self contained we had to replace our house batteries lat year. the main reason we got this longevity, is that the batteries have never been flat beyond 12.4v and have been continuously cycled.
I am currently setting up an Aquaponics system which will be run continually by solar panels and batteries. my design currently will run 2 x 90w panels and 2 x 100ah batteries ( because I have them)