Craig, By my experience, I would suggest you are way under powered. However, it could also be your controller. On my Solar Powered site the 50+ amps produced by the panels are all controlled by WB8VGE's controller kit (with a bigger mosfet). See the Oct. 10, 2001 QST article on how to build your own using his design or buy his unit here:
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ I've tried a number of different controllers and after years of use I found none that work better than the WB8VGE unit. (disclaimer - I'm not associated with or even know WB8VGE) A picture is worth a thousand words? Below is a link to a couple of photos of my solar powered site. The current battery numbers are double what you see in the picture to cover long periods of clowds and storms. http://www.qrz.com/callsign/kc6wrd -Steve --- In [email protected], "fxbuilder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hello All- > I've got a Mitrek uhf repeater built and on a hilltop with a cs8200 > controller, 45 watts of solar panel, morningstar 10amp charge > controller non lvd, and 89ah sealed gel cell battery. I'm in sunny > southern california. This is a low use gmrs outputing 15 watts > available for emergency use. I'm finding that my battery is draining > and not coming back up to full power. Am I under powered? what am I > doing wrong? Radio connected directly to the battery. > Craig >
