[Elecraft] Re: Solar Panels Batteries and Chargers

[Don Brown]

Hi

My controller needs to see a constant current source like a solar panel as a supply. You can connect a solar panel and a power supply if you make the power supply a constant current source and you isolate the panel and power supply with a diode just like you would do with several solar panels in parallel. Most panels already have the diode in the circuit. You can make a power supply look like a constant current source by adding a resistor in series. A 16-18 volt power supply with about a 5 ohm 10 watt resistor and a blocking diode should work.

Don Brown
KD5NDB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Klingensmith<mailto:klingen2 at hotmail.com> 
  To: DolfinDon at msn.com<mailto:DolfinDon at msn.com> 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 3:40 PM
  Subject: Solar Panels Batteries and Chargers


  Don,

  You sent me information on your solar panel controller and I intend to get 
  one from you when the budget is in a little better shape. I have one 
  question and if you think it would benefit the elecraft list please post a 
  response there.

  For my home qth I hope to be battery powered. I intend to have both a solar 
  panel and charger connected to the battery at one time as well as my K1. Can 
  I connect them on a bus type configuration or do I need some type of 
  controller to handle all these at one time. Oh, did I mention I want to use 
  the radio when the battery could be charging from either source? This is 
  probably pretty elementary stuff but I don't quite understand it all and if 
  you could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Even a hint 
  where to look some of it up would help. Thanks for your time.

  Rick
  WA3TUU

  _________________________________________________________________
  Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! 
  http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/<http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/>