[Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3

[Bob]

MPPT Controllers (small capacity) are few and far between and expensive.
 Several are actually PWM, are falsely marketed as MPPT, making the
situation complicated.  A MPPT controller can produce about 30% more power
from a given solar panel during the summer months and about 10% more during
the winter months.  But it may be difficult to justify the substantial cost
increase for smaller panels -- ask the question are you better off spending
$100 more for a MPPT controller to get 3 watts more out of a 10 watt panel,
or spending $100 to buy a 20 watt panel?

The BuddiPole charge controller may be ideal for a KX3 user.  It is very
small, will work with LiFePO4 batteries or SLAs, and it isn't particularly
expensive.

But as others have said, using a charge controller is critical.

http://www.buddipole.com/sobaco.html

73, Bob, WB4SON