Considerations to go Solar
- Expense of trenching
- Low voltage installation
- Simplified power system
- Remote location
- Tax Incentives
Designing for Solar
- Location, location, location
- What are the possible obstructions between the panels and the sun?
- How well are the panels aligned with the sun?
- The amount of solar power available in your area – “sun hours per day”
- Worst weather multiplier
- Keep the panels clean
- Power budgeting
- How heavy and/or long are your gate panels
- How many daily cycles are required
- Idle currents (consider all peripherals and operator)
- Active currents (consider all peripherals and operator)
- Number of days operator is required to run without sunlight
- The peak power of your panels – measured in watts
- Battery sizing & selection
- Storage requirements to meet your Power Budget
- Smart DC Control Electronics and Software has advanced battery management
- Only allow batteries to drain to 25% before shutdown
- Relay option #25 can be used as a power conservation switch for accessories
- Panel sizing
- Maximum sun intensity is 1,000 W/m2, also called “One Sun Hour”
- Thin clouds can reduce output by two thirds
- Smart DC Control Electronics and Software has advanced solar panel management
- MPPT (maximum power point tracking)
- Requires panels of 33VDC+ output
Here’s a simple calculator for estimating the size of batteries and solar panels for single family and small multifamily gate applications. For simplicity sake it makes generous assumptions about power usage.
It is not recommended for facilities with multiple gates or with more than 40 or 50 drivers using the gate every day. For these facilities a more detailed model is available.
Step one is to estimate the power used by the system by estimating traffic. Power for keeping the system and accessories ready is included.
The
second step is to estimate the amount of solar power available. This is a factor that changes based on location. The map below shows the typical amount of sunlight available in December (the shortest days of the year). The duration of standby time should include time in which there may be no solar charging at all due to storms or cloudiness.
The calculator provides the total power consumed by the system as a daily average, and recommends a solar panel size and battery size.
Download Solar Calculator
Drivers with Cars
Enter the number of resident licensed drivers with access to a vehicle.
Average Trips per day per resident
How many times does each driver leave the property? One trip is two gate cycles: departure and arrival.
Other vehicles
Other than residents, how many people visit the property on a typical day? Each is two cycles: arrival and departure.
Operator Type
Select your operator from the pull down menu
Gate Size (ft)
Enter the length of the gate in ft.
Number of Keypads
Enter the number of keypads installed on the system. We'll estimate the power. Do not include wireless keypads.
Free Exit Loop
"Enter 1 if there is a free exit loop in the system, otherwise enter 0.
Do not include Hy5B detectors"
7 Day Event Timer
Enter 1 of there is an event timer, otherwise enter 0.
Other (mA)
If there are other devices that draw power continuously, enter the power draw in mA.
Insolation (see map)
Enter the value on the map that corresponds to the gate's location. If the location is between two lines, use the average.
Days of Standby
Enter the number of days that there may be no charging at all due to extended cloudiness or storms.
System Load (W-h)
This is the average daily power requirement for the system.
Solar Panels (W)
This is the minimum size solar panel. Pick the next larger size.
Battery Capacity (A-h at 12V)
This is the minimum size battery at 12V. Pick the next larger size. Use two batteries of the same size connected in series for 24V systems.
Battery Sizing
Two standard 8Ah batteries are supplied and nominally support up to 100 cycles per day based on the following:
- Battery storage capacity based on 5 solar hours per day
- 20 watt solar panel system (minimum requirement)
- A gate weight of 750 lbs (340 kg) and gate length of 12 ft (3.7m)
- Connection to two HY-5A and one multi-code radio receiver
StrongArmPark DC
The two 8Ah batteries that come standard with the StrongArmPark DC are sufficient for solar applications.
SlideSmart DC and SwingSmart DC
HySecurity recommends that you install 50 Ah batteries in the SlideSmart DC and SwingSmart DC operators for solar applications. Batteries fit inside SwingSmart DC operator and within base riser for SlideSmart DC.
| Model |
Standard
Battery |
Optional
Battery |
Base
Extension |
Comments |
| SlideSmart DCS |
8Ah |
50Ah |
YES – MX002094 |
Requires base extension for 50Ah batteries; 4000’ of gate travel after AC power loss |
| SwingSmart DCS |
8Ah |
50Ah |
No |
Batteries fit inside chassis; 300 cycles after AC power loss |
| StrongArmPark DCS |
8Ah |
N/A |
N/A |
50Ah batteries not necessary due to standard high cycle count; 1000+ cycles after AC power loss |
| WedgeSmart DCS |
50Ah |
N/A |
N/A |
Batteries fit inside chassis; 150+ cycles after AC power loss |
Solar Insolation Map
