Thanks Bill (and Oryoki) I was wondering about the suppliers
involved, how many they are, differences in quality etc. I've not the
time to dive into the purchase research at the moment. Like others I
bet, if you should come across a real bargain on a roll-up 20-40 watt
panel, I will take your word that its time to invest. I need to do
fairly serious charging. A diode,...duh! The possibility of the
charge rate even becoming excessive is a good thing compared to the
last time I used solar panels. They can crank out above 15.5 volts,
as rated? Car alternators can get almost that high can't they? Guess
you don't want to stress the cells either. Thanks again for sharing
your expertise Bill. Rob D.
At 7:54 PM +0000 1/17/06, werainey wrote:
>Hi Rob,
>The reverse flow issue is usually addressed by a blocking diode which can =
be
>hidden in the panel junction box or the lead. These are commonly incorpor=
ated
>in small panels, but you need to check. The primary goal of the regulator =
is
>usually to avoid an excessive charge rate. The smallest Morningstar
>controller is prettry bulky and has rather high output for a portable kit.=
You
>might want to look at a similar unit from www. globalsolar.com. I have had
>ten or so semi-custom trickle charge controllers (for 5-10 watt panels)
>about the size of a small matchbox made up by www.emesystems.com.
>
>Global Solar supplies a lot of the thin film panels sold by ICP Solar. T=
heir
>C-I-G-S panel formulation is supposed to provide more power output at low
>light levels than some of its silicon predecessors. Though the price on
>remaindered roll-up flexible panels is attractive, I like the crush resist=
ance
>and compactness of the fold-up thin film panels from Global Solar (availab=
le
>from the Alternative Energy Store and others).
>
>Their consumer Sunlinq panels (6 or 12 watt) incorporate a blocking diode =
and
>regulator (of unspecified design) which seems to work OK. Their higher out=
put
>folding panels don't have the built-in regulator. The accessory leads for =
the
>consumer panels are fairly stiff zipcord. If I was trying to minimize weig=
ht
>and bulk, I'd remake them with more compliant wire.
>
>Bill R.
>--- In Rob Danielson <> wrote:
>>
>> Hi John--
>> Yes, we might have touched upon some practical, affordable uses. I
>> suspect many readers would like to do more as more becomes feasible.
>> Let's try to keep on our toes and follow along with developments--
>> which are considerable. I peeked into charger controllers a bit.
>> Seems the main thing they do is prevent reverse flow when the PV
>> panel output drops (low/no sun).
>>
>http://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/SunSaver/info/SS_DataSheet.pdf
>>
>> Morningstar is a big name. They're a few bucks more.
>> http://www.affordable-solar.com/morningstar.html
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>"Microphones are not ears,
>Loudspeakers are not birds,
>A listening room is not nature."
>Klas Strandberg
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
--
Rob Danielson
Film Department
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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