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Author Topic: "Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers  (Read 4849 times)

K5NT

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« on: July 23, 2009, 05:31:49 PM »

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.
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AA4PB

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2009, 06:14:42 PM »

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.
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Bob  AA4PB
Garrisonville, VA

W5RB

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2009, 02:00:57 PM »

Harbor Freight lists several of these on their website.
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KD4LLA

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2009, 02:13:51 PM »

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
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K2GW

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2009, 12:22:12 PM »

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
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K4LIB

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2009, 01:08:18 PM »

This is good info guys, thanks.  I'm very interested in solar PV panels and controllers.
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KB9YUR

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"Smart" Controller for Solar Panel Chargers
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2009, 01:48:40 AM »

Check out www.homepower.com for additional info.

George ...
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