I've been looking at foldable solar cell supplies. They come in
approximately 10, 15, and 20 watt sizes. The cost difference between
the 10.4 (.75 amps) and 15.6 (1 amp) watt units is $20 and the
difference between the 15 and 20 (1.4 amps) watt units is $45
respectively)
I can see that getting the most Amps one can afford would be good if
you were going to run your gear (K2) directly off solar - with
(Don's) controller of course. But if you are running off a battery so
you go solar cells to controller to battery to rig then it seems if
you get a solar unit that delivers more amps then you'd want to push
into the battery for charging, that you are spending money for a
"High End" that you would never use.
So if a charging amps of .5 amps is recommended, and given the
variability of solar output, 1 amp would be reliable - then would 1.4
even be recommended?
That is, it is one thing to justify the extra cost vs the extra
performance. But if the extra performance doesn't matter, or many
isn't even desired, then that is an overriding reason not to buy
more then needed.
Does that make any sense? That is, is the 15.5W array (1 amp) a
better match to the 7 Ahr battery then the 20.8W (1.4 amp) array? Or
should I go for as much solar amps as I can afford that will fit
within the physical contraints of backpacking and kayaking?
73,
Paul
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