"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers - EmergencyCommunications Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : EmergencyCommunications : "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by K5NT on July 23, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
My station runs off of a 97 AH gel cell, and I would like to install a solar panel to keep it charged. I currently use an AC powered charger made by A&A Engineering that tapers off and shuts down as the battery becomes fully charged. Is there a solar panel controller that does the same thing? Thanks. K5NT, Richmond, VA.

RE: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by AA4PB on July 23, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
What you need is called a "charge controller". Basically it does the same thing as your automatic charger. Some charge controllers contain a switch mode supply to generate voltage required for + lead switching and these can cause RFI in the receiver if the antenna is nearby. Others avoid the supply by switching the negative lead or they "shunt mode" that dumps the excess solar panel power into a load resistor. You should be able to find plenty of systems and info with a Google search.

RE: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by W5RB on July 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Harbor Freight lists several of these on their website.

RE: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by KD4LLA on July 31, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I have a charge controller on my panel. I don't know how "smart" it is, but it has kept a forklift battery happily charged for five years. It is a 10 amp version and cost about $60. Don't remember where I got it from either. The panel is a Uni-Solar, maybe there is a website or something you could get more info from. Mike

RE: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by K2GW on August 10, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I use a 4 amp Micro M charge controller with my portable solar arrays. It has the advantage that it's RF quiet. Plans are in the ARRL Emergency Power book, which is a good reference for what you're trying to do. 73 Gary, K2GW

RE: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by K4LIB on October 5, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
This is good info guys, thanks. I'm very interested in solar PV panels and controllers.

RE: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers	Reply
by KB9YUR on October 10, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Check out www.homepower.com for additional info. George ...

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