[Elecraft] Folding solar panel

[Simon Brown (HB9DRV)]

What would be interesting for portable use is a whizzo box where I can 
connect a Ni-MH battery and a solar cell and ensure that I neither 
overcharge the battery nor provide too high a voltage to the radio (in my 
case K1 or IC-703).

 Ideally I can then connect battery and solar cells as inputs and take the 
Ni-MH's 12 to 13 volt (or so) output.

 Simon Brown
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http://blog.ham-radio.ch/

 ----- Original Message ----- 
 From: "Don Brown" <DolfinDon at msn.com>

>
> I just ordered 2 solar panels from Northerntool.com to experiment with. 
> These panels are on close out and are rated at 5 watts. They appear to be 
> about 4x5 when folded and fold out into 5 sections. It has a weather proof 
> nylon shell with grommets at the corners for mounting. This looks like a 
> great little panel for backpacking or other portable use. They are only 
> $35 on sale now catalog number 339974-1615.
>
> I have seen similar panels go for much more than this and these are higher 
> power than the popular VW panels. A small 2-5 amp gel cell and one of my 
> low power solar controllers would be great for a K1 or KX1. You can also 
> easily charge a 10 cell 2000-2500 mAH NiMH battery pack without a 
> controller as long as you did not leave them on charge too long, about 4-5 
> hours with full sun. Usual disclaimers no connection with Northern Tool
>