> "Eric Lemmon" <wb6...@...> wrote: > Skipp, > A low-voltage disconnect (LVD) is normally incorporated in > commercial solar charge controllers, and does not need to be > purchased separately.
Not in the formerly Trace C30/C4 and now Xantrex C60 units I've been using for a long time. They can be configured to do one of many different applications but not as a charger and LVD. > I use SunWize solar charge controllers in my commercial > repeater systems, one of which has been in service 24/7/365 > since 2003, and they display a state of charge at 90% or > higher on every site visit. > 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY Well, the key to the state of charge is how many watts of solar panels do you have on-line. Remember, the mentioned remote site is a very keep things simple operation. I can easily pick up the Xantrex C60 charge controller in basic configuration for less than $175 delivered. If I want to add the LCD display and other options that's fine, but really why? http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/72/p/1/pt/5/product.asp I now make my own Low Voltage Disconnects for less than $35 each. Think about it for a moment... I've got an 8D capacity battery , a really nice solar charge controller and an LVD on line at a remote site for easily less than $400 and it works very well for what it is. I'd be curious to know what you pay for the Sunwise Charge Controller? If it's cost effective I might try one... Now we need only find a source of "reasonably priced Solar Panels" (right now kind of an oxymoron). And last but not least... we should mention Home Power Magazine as a great value and wealth of information. http://homepower.com/home/ cheers, s.
