tech idiot question on solar -> AC power

[workinwifdakids]

I want to power a counter top ice maker like this one...

...using solar panels. I know I can just buy a solar panel setup with an AC female plug hanging out of it. The question is, to run an ice maker like that, how do I know what the output of the solar panel has to be to run that (or something like it)?

Is there a formula, or is this an easy answer?

EDIT: Or are there solar setups with a plug hooked up to them? I don't even know. Google is NOT my friend!

[rightisright]

Question: Why do you want to run it on solar? Ice for fridge/freezer in a power outage??

Because I can is a fine answer. I'm just wondering...

[workinwifdakids]

Question: Why do you want to run it on solar? Ice for fridge/freezer in a power outage??

Because I can is a fine answer. I'm just wondering...

Good question. I live in SoCal, where there's an endless supply of sun. That's good for solar, and not ideal if the power goes out.

I also live next to a lake with 131,000 acre feet of water, and another mini-lake on homeowner's association property. This means if I have adequate filtration, and I do, I have all the water I could ever need... for a lifetime, really.

What I can't get if the power is out is ice.

Ice has many uses, from medical to food to morale. And anyone who's lived in the deserts of the southwest (or is in the middle of this heat wave, or the one from a year ago in the northeast)... you can't discount ice as a morale item. So there it is. I'd like to be able to make small amounts of ice for me and my family when the power goes out. The sticking point is my total ignorance of electricity and electronics, but this seems straightforward enough.

Ideally, I'd be able to run the machine during daylight, and then use the collected energy in a battery to run the machine at night.

[workinwifdakids]

Chris, I read your post - twice.

First, I cannot thank you enough for taking the amount of time it must've taken to walk me through all that. I appreciate you.

Second, are you saying that the single device I listed would require 30 square feet of panels?

[rightisright]

An NG or Propane genset would probably be a better investment.

You can run a helluva lot more than just an ice maker on a 10K generator.

[Greg]

An NG or Propane genset would probably be a better investment.

You can run a helluva lot more than just an ice maker on a 10K generator.

Depends. How long do you expect to be without power? And how ridiculous are your local "alternative energy" subsidies?

[rightisright]

And how ridiculous are your local "alternative energy" subsidies?

I guy I know as a business acquaintance dropped 20 large on a home system here in NJ about 6 months ago. That was with all the subsidies (I think a lot have run out).

He bragged that the system would pay for itself in 10-12 years and that he'd be selling the excess electricity back to the grid. I told him "Sure, if you don't use your AC, fridge, freezer and electric dryer, you might have a chance!" He wasn't amused.

[Netpackrat]

An NG or Propane genset would probably be a better investment.

You can run a helluva lot more than just an ice maker on a 10K generator.

It's my understanding, that at least in this area, if a power outage is widespread enough, and lasts long enough, then there is a good chance that the gas distribution system is going down also. In the winter, this would be double plus ungood. It's why I keep a kerosene heater around that is not dependent on outside power in any way.

[Termite]

It's my understanding, that at least in this area, if a power outage is widespread enough, and lasts long enough, then there is a good chance that the gas distribution system is going down also. In the winter, this would be double plus ungood. It's why I keep a kerosene heater around that is not dependent on outside power in any way.

That depends. Keep in mind that gas pipeline pumping stations generally use natural gas fueled engines to run the booster compressors. They also probably have back up generators that can handle their onsite electric demands.
The weak links are at the local distribution level. The gas is being stepped down from something like 800-1300 psi to 50-100 psi for local city piping, then to about 11" of pressure at the residences for household use. If the trunkline valves depend on electricity to operate, then yeah, it's a problem.

As I said, it depends.........

[Termite]

Workin',

There are online calculators to figure up that kind of stuff. LINK #1 LINK#2 LINK #3
What you really should buy FIRST is a Kill-a-watt meter. It's a great tool that cost very little. Plug it in, plug your 120 vac ice maker into it, and see how many watt-hrs per day you need. Then use one of the linked calculators to figure what you need in equipment.

You can also use the Kill-a-watt to find ghost loads; like how much power your TV uses when it's "OFF".

Chris is pretty spot-on with his numbers.....but I think he went into too much detail.....