Is there a case for a “solar powdered” vendor???

[Uncle Sam]

My recent post about using solar power in an RV application got me to thinking about our new small vendor that we recommend being installed in the vacuum area of a wash. WHY EXPENSIVE SOLAR POWER to power the vendor?? There are 1000’s of operating washes in this country that have max-ed out all the electrical wiring that was installed when the wash was built. If an operator has to hire an electrician to run new wiring for a vendor out in the vacuum area, the costs to do this can be $1000’s. And that says nothing about tearing up concrete or the inconvenience to the customer while doing this construction.

Two recent experiences add validity to powering the vendor with solar power. I asked the operator of the wash where I showed the new 18-selection vendor for some feedback; during this feedback period I had an opportunity to ask, “Would you like this vendor to be solar powered?” She thought it was a great idea; she could use the “green label” in advertising and also get some good PR in the community. This is an older wash where finding a power source to run it is not so easy either.

My second experience is a customer that has an older wash with a very old “in-the-wall” vendor that has been shut down and sealed up. His equipment room is so full that there is no space left to install the newer in-the-wall vendors with out major rerouting of piping, electrical conduits and/or moving installed equipment. That is expensive and time consuming work!!! There is a place along a fence at the property line where the vendor could be installed near the vacuum islands; unfortunately there is no power source near this location.
Cont'd

 

[Uncle Sam]

This new small vendor consumes about 35-40 watts when powering a bill validator, coin changer, POS module, LED light, and an Edge credit card system. When plugged into the “grid” (commercial power) this wattage is a comparatively low power use. When one looks at solar power, 35-40 watts is not so easy to supply continuously if you have a period of rain/snow or cloudy days. There are new programs in the S-3 software that allow us to minimize the energy use in our vendors by shutting down the LED light to 10% during its “idling hours” (non-vending time). The products inside the vendor are still lighted so the customer knows the vendor is working. As soon as the selection pad is triggered or a coin is dropped, the LED goes to 100% power for 3 minutes and then returns to 10%. This allows us to lower the power consumption to 21-22 watts in the vendor during the “idling time” which is 99% of the time. That is reachable with solar power.

Here is the case FOR the ShurVend 18-selection solar powered vending machine:
1. Installation of the vendor without concern for a power source or constructing a new power source for it.
2. Cost of solar may be less than construction of addition power for the vendor
3. The solar panel can be installed above the vendor itself or on a nearby (within 20 feet) canopy or roof
4. Once the solar system is paid off, you get “free power” to run the vendor
5. You can advertise a “green image” for your wash and get good PR in the community
6. No expensive hole to cut in the wall of the equipment room or the moving of installed equipment and/or piping/conduits

Here is the case AGAINST the ShurVend 18-selection solar powered vending machine:
1. Estimated cost of solar system $500-$750 extra
2. Solar panel must always face south for maximum output and effectiveness
3. Solar panel should be 8-9 feet off the ground to discourage any kind of vandalism
4. No shadows can be tolerated on the panel without a dramatic cut in output
5. May only be practical in Australia or the southern half of the U.S.

Now, just as before with other projects we have done, we would like some feedback from the Forum people about this idea and whether there is any interest in a solar powered vendor. Whether you like the idea and would buy it or don’t think it is practical, give us your feedback.

Uncle Sam

 

[Greg Pack]

Well, it solar powered, so you know I like it Jim

I wonder if there would be demand for this products in the public park or campground industry?

 

[Uncle Sam]

cfcw,

I think there are some uses in our national parks or in the campground industry for a solar powered vendor. Not too many electric plug-ins in these places. However I was thinking there might be some installations in older washes where it would not be easy to find power without having to run a new electrical service to the vendor. That can run into real money. Probably way ahead of the curve on this idea in these economic times.

Uncle Sam

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Jim, I think its a good idea, dont know if a market is there.
Getting wires out to the vac area would be a problem for me, I would have considered it. My major concerns would be
- amount of sunlight here in PA probably isnt enough.
- how long does the solar equipment last and how reliable is it.
- can the system be retrofitted for a dedicated line if I move it later?
- how long will it be until some knucklehead steals or breaks the panels? (cameras definitely needed!!!) Can I mount them relatively high on my light poles? Dumb question: would the light from the metal halide bulbs contribute at night?

 

[Uncle Sam]

Paul,

You bring up some very good questions. I don't pretend to know all the answers right now, but we are learning.
-I don't know about the winter time in PA being very good because of the long nights, but the spring thru fall period is probably OK.
-the panel itself is good for 30 years they say. The batteries would last maybe 3-5 years and other equipment should last a long time.
-there will always be a plug in power cord available to run the vendor if you get near a power source.
-breaking the panel face can be taken care of by using lexan rather than plate glass. Stealing the panel--that will just have to be secured where ever it is planted
-They test the solar cells using artificial light so I'm guessing any light source will provide some charging benefit

Keep the questions coming--we all learn from them

Uncle Sam

 

[MEP001]

Dumb question: would the light from the metal halide bulbs contribute at night?

Yes; I have a car I don't drive much and I keep a solar trickle-charger on the dash. Metal halide light makes the LED indicator come on. Light from a high-pressure sodium won't - there's no UV from it.

 

[Uncle Sam]

MEP,

Thanks for the info. Do I understand from your info that solar works with "white" light (many wavelengths) and not with a very narrow wavelength light like sodium?

Uncle Sam

 

[MEP001]

From my own research it looks like HPS produces light from within the spectrum that should power a solar panel, but my trickle charger doesn't generate any at all from one. UV seems to affect it the most.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Update

We have come up with a tentative design for a solar powered vendor and our research indicates it can work reliably. Unfortunately the cost is more in the $750-$1000 range which I think is too high priced to sell.

Technology developments may change the numbers down the lane, but right now it does not seem to be practical. Come to think of it, all the solar installations that are being done now wouldn't be practical without a subsidy from state and federal sources for a substantial portion of the cost of the installation.

Thanks to all who added knowledge to this question or responded with useful information.

Uncle Sam