[Elecraft] Solar Panels on sale !!

[John R. Lonigro]

Jim:

There are inexpensive charge controllers available, either as kits (see 
the October, 2001 issue of QST for the Micro M+ charge controller, for 
example) or preassembled. They typically include a blocking diode and 
some way to prevent overcharging. For Field Day the past two years, I 
put two 5 Watt solar panels in parallel (directly) and ran the output to 
the Micro M+ controller and then to a battery. It worked fine, except at 
night (hi). I've measured charge currents over 600 ma in ideal 
conditions. At that current, using a small gelcell, some kind of charge 
controller is recommended. Large capacity lead acid batteries don't need 
the controller, but still need a blocking diode. I didn't bother trying 
to isolate the solar cells from each other or balance the load, etc. 
That might be an issue with larger panels.

73's

John AA0VE

Jim Brown wrote:

>I have no experience with solar panels, but would like to try some. It seems
>logical that more than one would be in order to get enough power to run some
>radios for a contest. My EE background suggests that each ought to be
>connected to the battery through a diode and current limiting resistor, and
>maybe even a regulator to prevent overcharging. Is there standard practice
>for this?
>
>Jim Brown  K9YC
>
>  
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