> "Eric Lemmon" <wb6...@...> wrote:
> Skipp,
>
> My most recent installation uses a 30-ampere-rated SunWize
> Omega LCD controller, for which I paid Tessco about $150.
That's a nice price... but the de-mark in a lot of solar charge
controllers is the current rating... with the corresponding
increase in price as you step up from 30/40 amps toward the
60 Amp level. I need the 60 Amp capacity to handle the solar
panel current...
> It operates at 24 VDC and uses two Siemens 90 watt panels
> and two Concorde 250 Ah AGM SLA batteries.
90 watts of 24vdc is a best case charging current of about
7.5 amps.
> The repeater is a Motorola MTR2000 running at 80 watts
> output.
How much on-time/use (duty cycle) does the repeater experience?
> More info about this controller is here:
> <www.solarwares.com/controllers_sw.html>
> I am surprised that any solar charge controllers worthy of
> the name do *not* include a low voltage disconnect as standard.
I'm not... I don't want an integrated LVD because I also provide
energy at other sites with Genset and Windset sources. When you
jump to higher current levels the topography of the physical
layout really changes.
> Most of the solar industry's controllers are designed and built
> in Sweden and Germany, where solar systems are more prevalent
> than in the US. Beside SunWize, some other modern controllers
> are made by Siemens, Kyocera, and Morningstar.
Yep, in addition to radio... we do lots of solar and I am/was
a full-on Service Station for the original Jacobs 10Kw Wind
Systems. And I've done work on/at wind farms using the large
Vestas 3.3 MW per turbine systems and lots (and lots) of very
large Hydro. And we do grid intertie systems... and we hopefully
make decent coffee...
If you look at some of the PC Boards for a few of the solar charger/inverter
units, you'll find the base electronics is
of course made in China.
> A solar power installation for a radio repeater is completely
> different from a solar power system at a residence or business.
> There are codes and regulations that apply to the latter, but
> not to the former.
Yep, I have the coffee mug and tee shirt already...
> Moreover, attempting to design a remote repeater solar power
> system using the same components as a residential photovoltaic
> system will sometimes lead to poor reliability and early
> failure.
> 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
Yep, the no free lunch rule applies to all examples.
cheers,
s.
ps: Did I also tell you I've owned a few all electric cars..?
