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TURN OFF THE GENERATOR TURN ON TO SOLAR POWER NO NOISE-NO SMELL-NO FUEL EXPENSE-NO SPARK PLUGS OR OIL CHANGES QUIET-CLEAN-LOW COST-LOW MAINTENANCE-DO-IT-YOURSELF SOLAR POWER Solar power is an economical, environmentally friendly power supply for homes, camps, cottages and businesses. If you are considering purchasing a generator or currently operate one consider the advantages of solar power. There is no noise from a solar system. Why go to your camp to escape the noise and smell of the city and then run a generator? Solar power stored in a battery bank provides clean quiet power 24 hours a day! Why spend $.90 a litre for gasoline? Add up the cost to run a generator for 6 hours a day for weekends and holidays for the next 10 years. You could spend $3000.00 just on fuel and that does not include the purchase of the generator, parts or maintenance! Maier Hardware has built its business with quality products and excellent service and solar power products are no exception. We can help you choose the proper products for your needs and we are prepared to spend the time with every customer to listen to their needs and explain to every customer the products and options available to them. Maier Hardware is open 7 days a week. We take solar power seriously. We have the largest solar inventory in North Western Ontario. We stock solar panels, charge controllers(regulators), Surrette batteries, 12v florescent lights, 12v water pumps, wind generators, monitoring systems...(and much more!) 
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ITEMS IN OUR INVENTORY. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION. HERE ARE SOME QUICK ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SOLAR POWER SOLAR POWER FAQs What can we run on a solar power system? Can we use old or recycled batteries? How difficult are solar systems to set up? How much does a solar system cost? How long do the panels and batteries last for? What maintenance is required? What happens to the system in the winter? Can we operate a fridge on solar power?
There is a solar power system to run everything and anything. We can help you develop a solar power package to run any appliance. Most people have a certain goal for their solar system. We can help you run lights, T.V., VCR, satellite dish, radio/stereo, water pumps, coffee makers, refridgerators... Basically anything that is electric."
While you may discover a 'diamond in the rough' battery second hand or recycled; the common experience is disappointing. Automotive batteries do not have the capacity for deep cycling even when they are brand new and when used are even worse. Old batteries when mixed with new batteries tend to drain the whole system and have often 'killed' the new batteries. Remember that the batteries are the 'storage' of the solar system. Poor batteries leave a system with little reserve power for a rainy day. We match the storage capacity of the batteries with the power supply from the solar panels and add a safety factor to account for 'rainy days'.
Solar power systems are a great DIY project. Maier Hardware is prepared to spend the time with you before, during and after the sale to help you do it yourself. We can pre-wire portions of your system and make custom sized cables for your installation. Contracted installation is available on request.
We at Maier Hardware want to help you design a system that will do what you want and that is affordable. A 12 volt DC system can be under $1,000.00 while a larger system will be designed to meet your needs.Keep in mind that the cost of a solar system has to be averaged over the life of the system. The estimated life of the panels is 50 years; batteries will last 5 to 20 years. While a generator may cost less to purchase you have to add in the fuel, maintenance and replacement expense over 20 plus years. Maier Hardware can help you with a graduated plan to implement solar power over several years with out having to 'buy components twice'. We work with our customers and their budgets to meet their needs. Contact Maier Hardware for a custom quote on a solar system that meets your needs. Batteries are available at $115.00 for 6 volt, 220 amp hours, 750 cycle life at 50% draw down...$341.00 for 6 volt Surrettes 530 amp hours, 1500 cycles at 50% draw down...Contact Maier Hardware for more batteries with up to 1708 amp hour ratings.
Quality solar panels are guaranteed for 20-25 years with an estimated life of 50 years. Batteries can last from 5 to 20 years, depending on the model, and with proper use and maintenance.
Solar panels need to be kept clean and free of snow, leaves, dirt etc. Batteries require cleaning of the terminals and neutralization and cleaning of the casing due to venting of gases. Batteries also require replacement of the water lost in the cycling of the battery with distilled demineralized deionized water.
A solar power system is 'winter proof'. Batteries that are fully charged are protected from freezing by their high acid levels.
Yes a fridge can be run on solar power however it will add about $3,000.00 to the cost of a system. An old standard electric fridge is very energy inefficient so buy a new energy star unit. It seems cheaper to buy a propane powered fridge, but when you add up 20 years worth of propane fuel and maintenance as well as the safety factor of carbon monoxide emissions with the inconvenience of hauling propane tanks in to be refilled it is less appealing. The solution is a high efficiency fridge and a sine wave inverter. |
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