solar charger for marine-battery?
B Yen
field. (it will be discharged at night) I am looking for a solar-charger,
which can charge it during the day. It has to be portable, something I can
pack in check-in luggage. I am on a budget also, is there a way I can
build something myself, by just buying bare solar-cells? (I'm an Elec
Eng., so I can put stuff together). Is there a surplus place, where I can
get them for cheap?
I remember seeing such things being sold in RV (recreational vehicle)
stores, like Camping World 15 yrs ago. I think they were fairly pricey.
TIA for any help.
B Yen
Oz Sirion
marine battery probably will not last long. The design of that type of
battery is unsuitable for deep-cycling. If this is going to be a short term
affair, you could probably get away with the marine battery. What capacity
is this battery?
What sort of load are you going to run off the battery and for how long?
--
Whatever you wish for me,
May you have twice as much.
"B Yen" <byen00*NOSPAM*@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:byen00*NOSPAM*-ya02408000R12...@news.earthlink.net...
Duane C. Johnson
B Yen <bye...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> I am going to Zambia (Africa), & will be using a marine-battery out in the
> field. (it will be discharged at night) I am looking for a solar-charger,
> which can charge it during the day.
I have several simple charge controllers that you can make
listed here. I suggest the shunt2 version for your needs.
http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#shunt2
> It has to be portable, something I can
> pack in check-in luggage. I am on a budget also, is there a way I can
> build something myself, by just buying bare solar-cells? (I'm an Elec
> Eng., so I can put stuff together). Is there a surplus place, where I can
> get them for cheap?
For reliability I would suggest the use of commercially
built PV panels. They are ruggedly built and reliable.
> I remember seeing such things being sold in RV (recreational vehicle)
> stores, like Camping World 15 yrs ago. I think they were fairly pricey.
> TIA for any help. B Yen
Duane
--
Home of the $35 LED solar tracker.
http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#led3
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http://www.redrok.com/index.htm (My New Web site) \|
These are my opinions, and not that of Unisys Corp. ===
B Yen
<not...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Well it is not a problem getting a solar panel to do what you want, but the
> marine battery probably will not last long. The design of that type of
> battery is unsuitable for deep-cycling. If this is going to be a short term
> affair, you could probably get away with the marine battery. What capacity
> is this battery?
>
> What sort of load are you going to run off the battery and for how long?
I guess I meant deep-cycle battery (which can take deep discharges).
Doesn't marine-battery imply deep-cycle?
The device I use at night is a CCD autoguider (pulls ~ 1 amp), for night
astrophotography.
In article <3AD6D142...@redrok.com>, red...@redrok.com wrote:
> I have several simple charge controllers that you can make
> listed here. I suggest the shunt2 version for your needs.
> http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#shunt2
I can use the above circuit for the controller...
I looked at some solar-chargers. A 600 ma goes for ~$100 (about what I can
afford):
from http:/www.rvsolarelectric.com:
Siemens ST10 SM10 10 Watt 600 milliamp battery maintainer $129.00
I assume this is 17v, 600ma Using a regulator circuit @14v, I would get a
little more current. Say I discharge 1amp, 1 full night (10 hrs).
Charging by day (depends on conditions), won't quite compensate for the
discharge of 1 amp . If things go right (cloudless skies, which may or may
not happen), I might be charging/discharging on 10 nights. Some nights
won't have 10 hrs of discharge, because the moon is in the sky (can
photograph, autoguider is turned off)
I think I would barely pull it off.
I'm tempted to buy a 2nd deep-cycle battery in Zambia, just as a backup.
(I have yet to confirm they sell 12v car batteries in Zambia)
Duane C. Johnson
B Yen <bye...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> "Oz Sirion" <not...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > Well it is not a problem getting a solar panel to do
> > what you want, but the marine battery probably will
> > not last long. The design of that type of battery is
> > unsuitable for deep-cycling. If this is going to be
> > a short term affair, you could probably get away with
> > the marine battery. What capacity is this battery?
> > What sort of load are you going to run off the battery
> > and for how long?
> I guess I meant deep-cycle battery (which can take deep
> discharges). Doesn't marine-battery imply deep-cycle?
> The device I use at night is a CCD autoguider
> (pulls ~ 1 amp), for night astrophotography.
Gee that seem like a lot of current.
I suppose it's the stepper motors.
> "Duane C. Johnson" red...@redrok.com wrote:
> > I have several simple charge controllers that you can make
> > listed here. I suggest the shunt2 version for your needs.
> > http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#shunt2
> I can use the above circuit for the controller...
Quite a few have built this charge controller.
I haven't had any complaints except for the obvious
miss wired circuits.
In your case of a 600ma charger you won't need the
big transistor. Use something cheaper such as:
the logic level power MOSFETs from International Rectifier
TO-220
IRLZ14
IRL520
4 pin DIP
IRLD014
IRLD024
> I looked at some solar-chargers. A 600 ma goes for ~$100
> (about what I can afford):
> from http://www.rvsolarelectric.com :
> Siemens ST10 SM10 10 Watt 600 milliamp battery maintainer $129.00
> I assume this is 17v, 600ma Using a regulator circuit @14v,
> I would get a little more current. Say I discharge 1 amp,
> 1 full night (10 hrs). Charging by day (depends on conditions),
> won't quite compensate for the discharge of 1 amp.
It'll be even less as the 600mA rating is when the sun is
normal to the panel. Unless you track the sun the output
will suffer from cosine error.
I suspect that you might not want to lug a tracker around.
However, You might want to consider building a micro light
portable tracker. I grabbed an idea from Sky and Telescope
a few years ago. Its a right ascension worm drive using
flexible threaded rod. See:
http://www.redrok.com/actuator.htm#worm
And with my small LED3 tracker to drive it you could
as much as double the energy output from your small
panel. Maybe you can make it work. See:
http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#led3
OK, I do sell this but I don't mine you building it yourself
or one of the other trackers. I have all the schematics there.
> If things go right (cloudless skies, which may or may
> not happen), I might be charging/discharging on 10 nights.
> Some nights won't have 10 hrs of discharge, because the
> moon is in the sky (can photograph, autoguider is turned off)
> I think I would barely pull it off.
> I'm tempted to buy a 2nd deep-cycle battery in Zambia, just
> as a backup. (I have yet to confirm they sell 12v car
> batteries in Zambia)
OK, just a thought.
Why not forget the solar panels altogether and
just run of the batteries alone.
Get 2 deep cycle batteries and a conventional charger.
A good battery should be rated for 100Ahr or so.
Fully discharged this is 10 nights of observing.
Then when you are back in town or at the service
station swap the batteries for another 10 nights.
Maybe make a deal where you buy two car batteries
and leave both behind when you leave in exchange
for them charging services.
Just a thought!
Elliott,Jason
Spend the money on a good panel
the Siemens SM. 46 has a low enough voltage that regulation will not be
required.
you might also look at the "Portable powertote" Sold by APC
www.appliedpower.com
It is a 98 ah batt, 8 amp controller, circuit breakers outlets etc. very
portable, very flexible.
Good luck.
--
Jason Elliott
APS Electric
Alternative Power Systems
Living better with peace of mind
ser...@apscanada.com
Duane C. Johnson <red...@redrok.com> wrote in message
news:3AD6D142...@redrok.com...
Sylvan Butler
> I looked at some solar-chargers. A 600 ma goes for ~$100 (about what I can
> afford):
>
> from http:/www.rvsolarelectric.com:
> Siemens ST10 SM10 10 Watt 600 milliamp battery maintainer $129.00
I'd suggest looking around a bit more. Most RV places aren't known for
low solar prices (but I haven't priced that small a module). It seems
like I've seen 10w modules sale priced in the $80-$90 range. You could
maybe find a 15w for your $130! :) solar-electric.com shows a unisolar
thin-film 20w for $153...
> I assume this is 17v, 600ma Using a regulator circuit @14v, I would get a
> little more current. Say I discharge 1amp, 1 full night (10 hrs).
Not enough more to bother about.
I suggest that you forget about the charge controller. Just get a
battery with 12ah (20x your max charge current) or more (just about any
marine or RV deep cycle) and you won't cook it. Your problem will be
getting enough juice to charge it...
> Charging by day (depends on conditions), won't quite compensate for the
> discharge of 1 amp . If things go right (cloudless skies, which may or may
Exactly the problem.
> not happen), I might be charging/discharging on 10 nights. Some nights
Only 10 nights? You almost don't need a charger at all.
sdb
--
More guns means less crime. ISBN:0-226-49363-6
***
Watch out for munged e-mail address.
User should be sylvandb1 and host is at bigfoot.com
Do NOT send me unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE)!
B Yen
ZsylvanDB...@Zhotmail.Zcom.invalid (Sylvan Butler) wrote:
> On Fri, 13 Apr 2001 13:26:35 GMT, B Yen <byen00*NOSPAM*@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > I looked at some solar-chargers. A 600 ma goes for ~$100 (about what I can
> > afford):
> >
> > from http:/www.rvsolarelectric.com:
> > Siemens ST10 SM10 10 Watt 600 milliamp battery maintainer $129.00
>
> I'd suggest looking around a bit more. Most RV places aren't known for
> low solar prices (but I haven't priced that small a module). It seems
> like I've seen 10w modules sale priced in the $80-$90 range. You could
> maybe find a 15w for your $130! :) solar-electric.com shows a unisolar
> thin-film 20w for $153...
Thanks for the shopping tip..I definitely am on a budget. (if you see those
10W modules for $80-$90, forward that info to me)
I found out that the Siemens uses glass protectors..that won't work for me,
since they'll be shipped inside airline check-in cases. The glass will
definitely break. Those Unisolar "thin-film" look like the way to go (they
are covered with Teflon like polymers):
Unisolar US21 Specifications/www.solar-electric.com---
"The thin-film cells are made in a patented continuous roll-to-roll
deposition process on a flexible stainless steel sheet. The result is a
unique, flexible, light-weight cell. The modules are exceptionally durable.
They are encapsulated in UV-stabilized polmers and framed with anodized
aluminum. A Galvalume steel backing provides stiffness. The polymer
encapsulation includes EVA and fluoropolymer Tefzel, a DuPont film similar
to Teflon. Bypass diodes are connected across each cell, allowing the
modules (excluding the US-3) to produce power even when partially shaded."
Electrical Characteristics:
Power Rating (Watts) 21
Current at rated power (amps) 1.27
Voltage at rated power (volts) 16.5
Physical Characteristics:
Weight 10.6 pounds 4.8 kg
The 10.6 lbs weight is too much (I realize this includes the aluminum frame)
I may have to go with the 10 watt Unisolar because of weight (3.6 lbs). Is
it possible to removed the aluminum frame, & use the
solar-cell/polymer-laminate/stainless steel backing by itself? This would
save some more weight. I'm limited to 60lbs for each check-in case, & I'm
close to the limits.
>
> > I assume this is 17v, 600ma Using a regulator circuit @14v, I would get a
> > little more current. Say I discharge 1amp, 1 full night (10 hrs).
>
> Not enough more to bother about.
>
> I suggest that you forget about the charge controller. Just get a
> battery with 12ah (20x your max charge current) or more (just about any
> marine or RV deep cycle) and you won't cook it. Your problem will be
> getting enough juice to charge it...
This makes sense.
>
> > Charging by day (depends on conditions), won't quite compensate for the
> > discharge of 1 amp . If things go right (cloudless skies, which may or may
>
> Exactly the problem.
>
> > not happen), I might be charging/discharging on 10 nights. Some nights
>
> Only 10 nights? You almost don't need a charger at all.
In article <3AD7297A...@redrok.com>, red...@redrok.com wrote:
>
> OK, just a thought.
> Why not forget the solar panels altogether and
> just run of the batteries alone.
> Get 2 deep cycle batteries and a conventional charger.
> A good battery should be rated for 100Ahr or so.
> Fully discharged this is 10 nights of observing.
> Then when you are back in town or at the service
> station swap the batteries for another 10 nights.
>
> Maybe make a deal where you buy two car batteries
> and leave both behind when you leave in exchange
> for them charging services.
>
> Just a thought!
> Duane
I'm out in the middle of nowhere (Busanga Plains), there are some fancy
safari camps with power. I may or may not have access to them (still
figuring out my land-travel). I expect my location to be similar to my '99
eclipse to Turkey:
http://www.comet-track.com/eclipse/secl99/secl99.html
http://www.comet-track.com/eclipse/secl99/trip/trip.html
Out in the bush, dependent on myself.
I was thinking of just buying some inexpensive jumper cables ($10), start
up the 4x4, & just connecting the marine-battery in parallel to the
starting-battery to get a charge. I use to do this with my own van.
Maybe just buying jumper-cables & marine-battery is the cheaper solution.
I still like the idea of a lightweight, flexible solar PV panel
N9WOS
B Yen wrote in message ...
>In article <slrn9dfbjo.6b.Zs...@p100.dbutler.org>,
>ZsylvanDB...@Zhotmail.Zcom.invalid (Sylvan Butler) wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 13 Apr 2001 13:26:35 GMT, B Yen <byen00*NOSPAM*@earthlink.net>
wrote:
>> > I looked at some solar-chargers. A 600 ma goes for ~$100 (about what I
can
>> > afford):
>> >
>> > from http:/www.rvsolarelectric.com:
>> > Siemens ST10 SM10 10 Watt 600 milliamp battery maintainer $129.00
>>
>> I'd suggest looking around a bit more. Most RV places aren't known for
>> low solar prices (but I haven't priced that small a module). It seems
>> like I've seen 10w modules sale priced in the $80-$90 range. You could
>> maybe find a 15w for your $130! :) solar-electric.com shows a unisolar
>> thin-film 20w for $153...
>
>Thanks for the shopping tip..I definitely am on a budget. (if you see those
>10W modules for $80-$90, forward that info to me)
This is over budget but hear it is
model H10053
kit contaning
Three 15watt solar panels
7amp charge controller
all hardware
AA battery saver (free extra)
140watt dc to ac inverter
for $349.96
idea sell inverter and battery saver keep panels and controller
total ~ 240
or less if you sell some of the panels even git one panel for free
if somone pays you good price for other two panels
NATHREN ARMOUR
a charger that is 4.6 inches x 6 inches , 1.75 amp out put . Carring
case is also listed .
This is some of the places I have found to be good to purchase from on
the net .
http://www.snbrun.com/_booster.htm
http://www.autobodysupply.net/boosterpac.htm
http://www.solarexpert.com/Catportable.html
Maybe one of these will have what you need .
I use three auto batts in my shop and three booster packs as well .
When it rains the batts are charged by the water wheel at the base of
the gutters . Sun shine I use a 1.75 amp solar charger . On cold snowy
days I use the snow and wood heater in a small steam turdine ( 1.25 amp
out put ) . Shop size is 2400 sq feet. It does help keep the shop
warm too . I do some times use the gride to charge the booster packs
to jump start some ones car . Most of the time the boosters are
direct connected to the batts to stay charged . ( car cig. lighter
connection ) .
They only need about 7.5 m amp to stay charged for 20 to 40 hours .
When the batts are being used the boosters discharge at about 3 m amps h
.
Hope this helps ?
Nathren ,
FYI , I convert gas vehicles over to electric in my little shop .
.
NATHREN ARMOUR
That was ,
http://www.sncbrun.com/_booster.htm
I forgot the C in the address , sorry about that .
Nathren ,
.
Nick Pine
>I use three auto batts in my shop and three booster packs as well .
>When it rains the batts are charged by the water wheel at the base of
>the gutters...
This sounds good until you do a little arithmetic...
>...On cold snowy days I use the snow and wood heater in a small steam
>turdine...
Part of a sewage treatment system?
>They only need about 7.5 m amp to stay charged for 20 to 40 hours .
>When the batts are being used the boosters discharge at about 3 m amps h.
Been talking with George Ghio?
Nick
Sylvan Butler
> In article <slrn9dfbjo.6b.Zs...@p100.dbutler.org>,
> ZsylvanDB...@Zhotmail.Zcom.invalid (Sylvan Butler) wrote:
>> I'd suggest looking around a bit more. Most RV places aren't known for
>> low solar prices (but I haven't priced that small a module). It seems
>> like I've seen 10w modules sale priced in the $80-$90 range. You could
> Thanks for the shopping tip..I definitely am on a budget. (if you see those
> 10W modules for $80-$90, forward that info to me)
Will do.
In the meantime, I just received an ad from Harbor Freight (this is a
store ad, they also do mail and web at http://www.harborfreight.com but
sale prices vary). In this ad they list #41144, a 5w "solar battery
charger" for $36. This is described as an 18"x12-1/2"x1" panel. I
don't know if it is a 36cell (best) or 33cell or ??? count panel.
Duane C. Johnson
Sylvan Butler wrote:
>
> B Yen <byen00*NOSPAM*@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >Sylvan Butler wrote:
> >> I'd suggest looking around a bit more. Most RV places aren't known for
> >> low solar prices (but I haven't priced that small a module). It seems
> >> like I've seen 10w modules sale priced in the $80-$90 range. You could
>
> > Thanks for the shopping tip..I definitely am on a budget. (if you
> > see those 10W modules for $80-$90, forward that info to me)
>
> Will do.
>
> In the meantime, I just received an ad from Harbor Freight (this is a
> store ad, they also do mail and web at http://www.harborfreight.com but
> sale prices vary). In this ad they list #41144, a 5w "solar battery
> charger" for $36. This is described as an 18"x12-1/2"x1" panel. I
> don't know if it is a 36cell (best) or 33cell or ??? count panel.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/taf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=41144
I don't think its water proof. Its supposed to be put on the dash.
> sdb
NATHREN ARMOUR
But if needed they will last for up to 72 hours on a charge .
The system I have set up for my shop would never work for a energy
hungry person .
I only use the power I need and store the rest .
My freezers are connected to a solar flywheel and run most of the day
and only twice per night . The flywheel produces 1.5 kw per week .
However good is your math is the way of a collective device works for
each appliance used . Would it be to much to add an extra appliance
once in a while if needed ? NO , I use power tools with any of the
collective units I have around and this produces a greater supply than I
will ever have a demand for.
We still have 10% of our home connected to the gride while the other is
solar , water , thermal , or any thing else that I can devise to bring
power to use at my home and shop .
So to use the small chargers is best the way I have them connected , it
may not be the way any one else would do it but it works for ME .
Would you care to change you gas burner into an electric vehicle with a
system that needs charging once per month ? Or are you the type of
person that would rather talk about what every one else needs to do to
save energy for you to waste at any time you wish to do so ?
FYI , the systems that are powering my shop and home have cost me about
$1400. (US) . My math shows me saving money and energy . My monthly
power bill is averaged at $52. (US) per month . Preventive maintenance
is another $12. (US). per month . and one day per month to do the
maintenance on all the systems . I also have an average income of over
$12,000. (US) per month , so money is not the motive for the
applications of the devices . It was fun so I did it .
We have had this system for over four years . Would you say that my
investment into this was a pour judgemental call on my part or what ?
If you have a system that is better than this that's fine . If not ,
you need to learn first hand what it is like to work with the basic
power producing stuff on the market .
Learn before you burn . Producing power is harder than using it .
Nathren ,
E-mail if you need more info please ,
NTAR...@webtv.net
webtv is a low cost access to the world net . Same info as a PC but
great with a 32 inch tv screen .
.
Nick Pine
>My freezers are connected to a solar flywheel and run most of the day
>and only twice per night . The flywheel produces 1.5 kw per week ...
Curiouser and curiouser.
Nick
Neil
"Nick Pine" <ni...@vu-vlsi.ee.vill.edu> wrote in message
news:9bk0kh$7...@vu-vlsi.ee.vill.edu...
What's curious? It is clearly a rate of change of energy flow. After 3 weeks
it'll be producing 4.5 kW etc (or -1.5kW, now that's curious!)
Neil
John Dunaj
>
>My freezers are connected to a solar flywheel and run most of the day
>and only twice per night . The flywheel produces 1.5 kw per week .
Care to describe these systems to the rest of us?
John
NATHREN ARMOUR
The house and shop sit on top of a small grade . The water falls from
the sky and lands on top of the house and shop . The water then flows
down the roof to the gutters , then into storage tanks ( the tanks are
4800 gallons each , there are two , one at the house and one at the shop
) , the two tanks are joined together with 4 inch pipe , the water then
flows to a water wheel where the pipe is reduced down to 1 1/2 inches .
The water wheel is 14 feet high and 16 inches wide , there are six
permanent magnet motors connected with v-belts to the water wheel that
generate the power . The distance from the shop to the water wheel is 25
feet . The fall of the water is 4 feet from the bottom of the tanks to
the top of the water wheel . The power supply from both tanks will
last five days . Unless we fill our pool with some of the water .
Pool drain is also connected the the water wheel if we ever need to
drain the pool or really need the power .
Your next question on the solar flywheel .
Two solar batt chargers connected to two batts which turn a flywheel
that has prem magnets on the OD . Small engine coils are placed around
the OD , this power of 3400 volts x 10 coils x 180 RPM is converted
into useful power for our freezers and a fridge .
I take it you are knowledgeable of the steam turbine systems .
I do enjoy this type of energy .
Nathren ,
.