WHEN TO USE DC APPLIANCES

Our inverter chapter explains that AC power is more practical than DC when use are using lower cost quality appliances and conventional wiring. There are important exceptions where special DC powered appliances save lots of energy, money and/or avoid technical problems.

SOME DC APPLIANCES USE MUCH LESS POWER: Special DC designs of evaporative coolers, refrigerators, water pumps, fans, bed-warmers, plus re-chargers for shavers, flashlights, and cordless tools all use much less power with DC.

AC electric blankets use 200 watts; DC bed warmers use under 60 watts and avoid questionable AC magnetic field exposure. DC fans and evaporative coolers use less power than AC fans and don't hum. DC powered pumps use less than 25% power per gallon, pumping slowly with low wattage, and do not monopolize your inverter at unpredictable times. Advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC pumps are explained in the pump introduction pages.

SOME DEVICES MUST BE ON DUTY 24 HOURS A DAY. Motion sensing lights, telephone message machines and cordless phones, timers, intercoms, cell phones, and smoke alarms all need a trickle of power 24 hours a day. These would consume excessive power, keeping an inverter on full time. DC power, when possible, lets the inverter idle and uses only a trickle on power.

RECHARGER for Nicad batteries. Size AAA, AA, C and D & 9V, manual discharge button available which allows batteries to be then recharged to avoid memory effect. With two channels available, different sized batteries can be charged simultaneously. Designed for charging both Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium(NiCad) batteries. Comes with an AC adapter. Backwoods Solar adds a 12 volt DC power cord. One year warranty. We are no longer able to get the version of this unit that features the voltmeter. Size: 6" x 8" x 2 1/2". V500 ma draw; 1-20 hour recharge time. Will recharge new high capacity batteries.

A-NICADCHARGE:..............shipping $12.........  $45

12 VOLT ELECTRIC BED HEATER PADS go on the mattress to warm you from underneath. We use ours if we come home to a cold house, running a half hour before bed time to preheat, then turn it off after entering bed. Low wattage heat takes a while to get hot, but given time it gets plenty warm. It runs full time during flu or colds where a good hot bed really makes a difference. We use one in the camper van on the road in winter. Heating pads are 50/50 cotton/poly, more durable than electric blankets.

Thermostat control responds to room temperature, cycling on and off to maintain the temperature setting. Conventional electric blankets use 200 watts, but these DC bedwarmers use under 60 watts and they avoid questionable AC magnetic field exposure. Running current is about 5 amperes on mid size pads, but actual thermostat controlled "power on" cycle is under 50% duty time. Current used actually averages 2 to 3 amperes. It can overheat if folded, so pick the right size for your bed. One year warranty.

Please add item to cart to see actual pricing

Part Number	SIZE INCHES	Description	Price	BUY NOW
A-BED T36	36 x 60	Twin Bed	SALE $90.50

Regarding phones and answering machines,  Operation on 12 volt DC from your batteries means round the clock phone power without running the inverter. This saves the waste of converting to AC in the inverter, and then back to 12 volts in the phone. However most phone systems which Backwoods Solar has tested have a conflicting ground issue which causes unacceptable static on the line and even disables some phones. The DC ISOLATOR, as its name implies, isolates the ground that your battery system utilizes from the ground that the phone company has in place. This isolation eliminates the static and allows you the purchase of the phone of your choice. This device works with base stations which accept 9-14v DC input from their 120v AC wall cube. Tested to 400ma maximum load. 

Lightning coming in the phone line may damage your phone as well as the DC-ISOLATOR as the lightning passes through them to easy ground path at battery, unless  protector below is used.

PHONE LINE LIGHTNING ARRESTOR

  Lightning entering via your phone line, seeking ground, often damages phones, DC-ISOLATORS and message machines- especially when connected to grounded battery power. This spike suppressor plugs in between phone and wall jack. Connects directly to your ground rod to reduce lightning surges.

A-SPIKE:  Lightning Protector:  $32

Minimum shipping $12 per whole order covers all items when no shipping listed

MIGHTY MULE 500 Gate Opener activates with the pocket transmitter from 50-100' (weather-permitting), or an optional keypad digital lock. The gate can be set to remain open until a second signal from the operator, or can be set to automatically close after adjustable time from 1-120 seconds, so you don't need to worry if you closed the gate. And it can be released for manual operation in emergencies.

 If the gate hits an object while opening it stops, or while closing, it stops and backs off.

Gate can be from 3 1/2 to 16 feet in length, wrought iron, chain link, pipe etc, weighing up to 350 pounds. The gate swings to maximum 110 degrees. Because of wind load, it is not recommended for large solid surface gates. 

Power is from an internal 12 volt 7 amp hour gel cell, charged from either an AC outlet, or an optional 5 watt solar module on site. Use 2 modules for model 502 or in low sun areas. Up to 100 cycles per day with AC charger, 4 to 25 cycles a day with solar charge depending on the season. LOCK accessory is an electrically operated pin that secures gate against forcing. DIGITAL KEYPAD mounts near gate, activating when number combination is entered. With illustrated instructions and a help line 800 number.

NEW REBATE INFORMATION!! The full line of solar powered gate openers now qualify for the 30% Residential Energy Efficient Property Federal Tax Credit when installed and powered by solar. Taxpayers are allowed a 30% tax credit up to $1,500 for the purchase and installation of these products. Please ask for additional details and requirements in regards to applying for the credit, the following link contains certification information in regards to the tax credit.

GTO Tax Info.pdf (74.19 kb)

A-MULE FM500: Opens and closes single-pull-to-open gate (inward opening). Factory list price is $675:

Part Number	Description	Shipping	Buy Now
A-MULE FM500	Includes 1 transmitter, receiver/control box, opener mechanism, battery	$34	$580
A-MULE FM502	As above, but has two actuators for dual swing gates	$60	$890
A-MULE PV	Solar panel kit with mounting & wire		$160
Extra accessories to enhance security and convenience
A-MULETRAN	Extra pocket transmitter (one comes with kit)		$32
A-MULEKEY	Key chain mini-transmitter		$32
A-MULELOCK	Electric bolt lock secures against forcing		$185
A-MULEDIG	Digital keypad with changeable 3-18 digit code		$56

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POWER BUBBLES is a 12 volt DC air pump kit with two 10 foot air hoses, check valves, and emitter stones to oxygenate the water. Run full time with no inverter. Reduces algae growth and improves water for frogs and fish. Only 1/4 ampere on 12 volts. Can aerate up to 10 gallons. In smaller aquariums, a resistor or voltage converter can be used to further reduce power use for less vigorous bubbling. Electronic vibrator pump is durable. 1 year warranty.

A-BUBBLES: Aquarium/Pond Bubbler Kit...... $50

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