There is also the CirKits SCC3 solar charge controller. It scales from 20A to 60A pretty easily. I use one for the shack solar to charge an Optima AGM battery.
The SCC3 is a kit, quick and fun to build. You have to supply your own housing though. http://www.cirkits.com/scc3/ 73, matt W6NIA On Tue, 28 May 2013 00:01:26 -0800, you wrote: >Lee, > >Most solar panel mfrs assume you are charging a battery which holds >down the voltage or that you are using a solar charge controller >which regulates the current. > >I understand that you wish to leave the "heavy" battery at home. But >a small 4 AH 12v gell-cell is not that heavy and will regulate the >solar panel to an extent. Under load of a battery the solar panel >voltage drops. You do not have a heavy enough load on the solar >panel when in receive mode in your present set up. > >Many large solar panels (60w) will provide up to 22v open circuit, >but drop down when under load. To cause a charging current to flow >into a battery the voltage has to be a few volts higher than the >resting voltage of the battery. > >Another solution is to build a voltage regulator that will hold the >voltage at 13.8v. The regulator has to be rated for at least the >current of your rig in transmit. > >73, Ed - KL7UW > >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:[email protected] > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
