[Elecraft] (Solar) charging the K2 battery

[Mike McCoy]

I came across a deal on a solar panel I couldn't resist. It's the Uni-Pac 15
and according to the tech sheet it puts out 17.6v @ 15.8w (max). Pretty cool
panel. See it here:

http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Uni-solar_Portable_Solar_Electric_Panels.ht
ml

I plan on using Don Browns Solar panel controller to charge the 'stock' KBT2
battery using this panel. I've read the KBT2 manual & the tech article 'care
and feeding of a K2 battery' and I have a couple question for those with
experience using the K2 battery & solar chargers:

According to the manual, the KBT2 provides current limiting ("typically
250ma eliminating the need for a current limited PS for charging"). Thus
when using a controller I don't need to worry this panel can put out close
to an amp in full sunlight and overcharge/overheat the battery?

According to 'Care and feeding of the K2 battery' under no circumstances
should I connect the panel (and controller) directly to the normal K2 power
input. If this panel/controller is regulated to provide 14-14.2v, why
couldn't/shouldn't I use the panel to charge the K2 from the normal power
input?

Aside from the solar panel, I have a Yaesu FP-4 (13.8 vdc @ 4A) PS I plan to
use with the K2. (Assuming I can) 'Care & feeding' suggests I should adjust
the voltage of the PS to 14-14.2v so as not to undercharge the battery.
Otherwise I should turn the batt switch off when using this PS and only
connect the PS to an additional 'charger jack' (and removing the 6.2 ohm
current limiting resistor, add a fuse, etc.) to charge the battery per the
'Care & feeding' article? Ya?

Sorry if these are dumb questions... Solar panels/controllers & charging gel
cells (in general) is a brand new area I know nothing about and I don't want
to do something dumb and/or fry something.

Thanks & 73
Mike - AD5IU