Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
Yes, Igor that is when you bring out the hampster, a tread mill and a 6 pack of brew. Mel, K6KBE From: Igor Sokolov <ua9...@gmail.com> To: Mel Farrer <farrerfo...@yahoo.com>; "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Monday, February 6, 2017 1:09 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar power? My experience shows that bigger solar panel is safer. My 60W panel in real life gives less then 1 A on a cloudy day and about 4 A on a bright sunny day when the sun is in its zenith. It also has USB and 12V output which can be used for telephone or iPad charging. Unfortunately rainy days here are more often then sunny :( 73, Igor UA9CDC 07.02.2017 1:55, Mel Farrer : I use a Mercury 27 W foldable from Instapark.com with a 9.9 AH Life04 and runs the KX3 all day and most of the night plus it has a USB port to charge the laptop. Mel, K6KBE From: Igor Sokolov <ua9...@gmail.com> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, February 6, 2017 12:42 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar power? I am using 60W foldable solar panel, Genasun MPPT controller https://genasun.com/products-store/mppt-solar-charge-controllers/ (they are RF quiet) and 5500 AH LiFePo4 battery with built it limiting circuitry which some outlets are selling as a substitute for lead acid motorcycle batteries. All works just great with KX3. When using K3 I add one more solar panel and 25 AH LiFePo4 battery. This proved to be enough to keep going the whole day. 73, Igor UA9CDC 06.02.2017 23:37, Harry Yingst via Elecraft пишет: > My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar > panel that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v > > We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the > solar panels to charge it . > > Thank you > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ua9...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to farrerfo...@yahoo.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
My experience shows that bigger solar panel is safer. My 60W panel in real life gives less then 1 A on a cloudy day and about 4 A on a bright sunny day when the sun is in its zenith. It also has USB and 12V output which can be used for telephone or iPad charging. Unfortunately rainy days here are more often then sunny :( 73, Igor UA9CDC 07.02.2017 1:55, Mel Farrer : I use a Mercury 27 W foldable from Instapark.com with a 9.9 AH Life04 and runs the KX3 all day and most of the night plus it has a USB port to charge the laptop. Mel, K6KBE *From:* Igor Sokolov <ua9...@gmail.com> *To:* elecraft@mailman.qth.net *Sent:* Monday, February 6, 2017 12:42 PM *Subject:* Re: [Elecraft] Solar power? I am using 60W foldable solar panel, Genasun MPPT controller https://genasun.com/products-store/mppt-solar-charge-controllers/ (they are RF quiet) and 5500 AH LiFePo4 battery with built it limiting circuitry which some outlets are selling as a substitute for lead acid motorcycle batteries. All works just great with KX3. When using K3 I add one more solar panel and 25 AH LiFePo4 battery. This proved to be enough to keep going the whole day. 73, Igor UA9CDC 06.02.2017 23:37, Harry Yingst via Elecraft пишет: > My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v > > We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the solar panels to charge it . > > Thank you > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ua9...@gmail.com <mailto:ua9...@gmail.com> __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to farrerfo...@yahoo.com <mailto:farrerfo...@yahoo.com> __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
I use a Mercury 27 W foldable from Instapark.com with a 9.9 AH Life04 and runs the KX3 all day and most of the night plus it has a USB port to charge the laptop. Mel, K6KBE From: Igor Sokolov <ua9...@gmail.com> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, February 6, 2017 12:42 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar power? I am using 60W foldable solar panel, Genasun MPPT controller https://genasun.com/products-store/mppt-solar-charge-controllers/ (they are RF quiet) and 5500 AH LiFePo4 battery with built it limiting circuitry which some outlets are selling as a substitute for lead acid motorcycle batteries. All works just great with KX3. When using K3 I add one more solar panel and 25 AH LiFePo4 battery. This proved to be enough to keep going the whole day. 73, Igor UA9CDC 06.02.2017 23:37, Harry Yingst via Elecraft пишет: > My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel > that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v > > We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the > solar panels to charge it . > > Thank you > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ua9...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to farrerfo...@yahoo.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
I am using 60W foldable solar panel, Genasun MPPT controller https://genasun.com/products-store/mppt-solar-charge-controllers/ (they are RF quiet) and 5500 AH LiFePo4 battery with built it limiting circuitry which some outlets are selling as a substitute for lead acid motorcycle batteries. All works just great with KX3. When using K3 I add one more solar panel and 25 AH LiFePo4 battery. This proved to be enough to keep going the whole day. 73, Igor UA9CDC 06.02.2017 23:37, Harry Yingst via Elecraft пишет: My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the solar panels to charge it . Thank you __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ua9...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
On Mon,2/6/2017 11:21 AM, John Sager via Elecraft wrote: I am using the Buddipole 4S2P 5Ah battery (fairly expensive at $165 when compared to others like Bioenno, etc.) Wildly expensive is the right word. :) along with the Genasun MPPT controller ($99) The Genesun controllers are excellent, and they are almost totally RF quiet, far more so than other controllers. You might hear it very weakly on some bands if the cable between your panel and the battery is very close to your antenna. Good practice is to use twisted pair for that cable and wind 10 turns around a #31 toroid. Note that Genesun makes a family of controllers, each dedicated to a type of battery. There's one for lead-acid, another for LiFePO4, and another for Li-Ion. It's pretty important that you use the one designed for your battery type. 73, Jim K9YC with my 35 watt portable solar panel. The whole system runs my KX3 all day at 10 watts even when the sun doesn't cooperate fully. Highly recommended. I tried other solar controllers that didn't work as well as the Genasun. As someone else said recently "buy nice or buy twice."Hope that helps. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
AGM works well or LiFePo4 (lighter, smaller and more expensive, higher operating voltage so better for radio, pickier to charge properly)... Neither offgas so they're safe for in the home. AGM can be used down to 50% charge, lithium 80% without damage, so you have to compensate when comparing capacities (apples/oranges). (The days of lead are ending.) I'd suggest that you define the battery type you want to use, then get a solar controller that is both RF quiet (duh) and can help manage the battery chemistry effectively. LiFePo4 was my choice for portable/RV ops and the charger I use can charge from 9-20V (because it charges each cell individually at the appropriate voltage/current) so I can charge while driving between sites. It wasn't cheap to get started (battery, management board, charger[s]), but size and weight matters on the road (half the size, 1/3 the weight compared to lead). The radio prefers it to AGM (it's cleaner) from the slightly higher voltage. The lifespan of lead is 3-5 years, lithium is 10+ years and can be recharged MANY more times (factors when considering cost/year, lithium wins even though they cost more initially). Lithium maintains a charge much longer than lead if unused. My next move is to get a small solar charger; which will lead into more panels, time and expense (so I'm dawdling). Learning curve: Lead charges fade over use, making it simple to know when to charge. Lithium goes full tilt, until it doesn't; so you want to monitor each cell and don't get to the cutoff voltage. The 'knee' on lithium is subtle. WARNING: Battery chemistry with proper maintenance techniques can be a HUGE learning curve and there is a LOT of misinformation out there to filter out. I do not claim to be an expert, but I know some who are. CAVEATS: Some solar controller designs manage via the negative lead, which if the battery is also bonded to anything else (an RV), can be a BAD thing (momentarily exciting but smelly and potentially expensive). If the battery is not connected to anything while being charged (unlikely) it's safe. [Find a controller for your situation, both designs work but management via positive is overall safer.] Some LiFePo4 bulk chargers (running through a BMS - Battery Management System device) are switcher supplies that generate RF noise (shouldn't be an issue with a quiet solar charger). Ask me how I know? At home, I use an Astron linear supply, no noise. If I use the switcher (rare), I'm not operating. That, in a nutshell, are the high points of a month of online discussion with my battery guru. Rick nhc On 2/6/2017 10:53 AM, Matt Zilmer wrote: You might look into CirKits SCC charge controllers. I use the SCCS3 here with two 50W 12V PV panels to keep the 75A-H station battery charged. It's an easy-to-build kit. cirkits.com 73, matt W6NIA On 2/6/2017 10:37 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote: My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the solar panels to charge it . Thank you __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px
#715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white
!important; } I am using the Buddipole 4S2P 5Ah battery (fairly expensive at
$165 when compared to others like Bioenno, etc.) along with the Genasun MPPT
controller ($99) with my 35 watt portable solar panel. The whole system runs
my KX3 all day at 10 watts even when the sun doesn't cooperate fully. Highly
recommended. I tried other solar controllers that didn't work as well as the
Genasun. As someone else said recently "buy nice or buy twice."Hope that helps.
73,John W7SAG
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Monday, February 6, 2017, 11:37 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft
wrote:
My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel
that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v
We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the solar
panels to charge it .
Thank you
__
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Re: [Elecraft] Solar power?
You might look into CirKits SCC charge controllers. I use the SCCS3 here with two 50W 12V PV panels to keep the 75A-H station battery charged. It's an easy-to-build kit. cirkits.com 73, matt W6NIA On 2/6/2017 10:37 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote: My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the solar panels to charge it . Thank you __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to mzil...@roadrunner.com -- Pull the curtain, Fred. It won't be long now. Matt Zilmer, W6NIA [Shiraz] __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Solar power?
My son has my KX3 and I'm building a K2. Both of us have a set of solar panel that are capable of a lil over an amp at 12v We are both looking for a battery idea and a method of hooking it to the solar panels to charge it . Thank you __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
Up here in Alaska I had a few experiences using solar powered remote communication systems. I worked a couple years for the BLM Wildfire Center (Fairbanks) radio shop and we had some 5w GE repeaters installed in big fiberglass boxes with a square solar panel attached to the cover. We would just take them out to a location (usually a hill or mountain top) and set them on the tundra with the panel facing straight up. The panels never got direct sun but averaged about 70% of peak all thru the long arctic summer (20+ hours). I'm guessing the panel was about 20-30w. One summer/fall I worked for a bush PBS TV station (KYUK Bethel, AK) maintaining remote TV translators. Many ran on solar panels which were installed vertical on the side of plywood sheds that housed the equipment. The theory was the max solar power was needed in winter with short daylight near the horizon;' during the summer the sun was high but days were long so average power was much more. These were 2-3 30w panels for running 10w TV translators 100% transmitting an AM video carrier. My last work involved remote repeater sites only accessible by air *helo*. They ran on huge alkaline battery banks (10,800 AH) but had 200AH batteries with 60w panels recharging them in summer. Automatic voltage sensed switching changed over from solar to the alkaline plant. These panel were faced south at the optimum solar angle between noon and sunrise/sunset. For a portable backpack system one will have to rely on frequent repointing to keep the panel in optimum sun. Interestingly an overcast summer day has 70% of the sun's power on a clear day. A flexible solar panel can be rolled and carried in a tube. 73, Ed - KL7UW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
Panels are rated for a standard sun (1000 W/m^2 insolation) at I think 25C. This is for the maximum power point, which is almost never the voltage to charge the battery at. The ones I've played with (powerfilm 5W, HQRP 20W) do more or less make their rated power in full sun (really blue sky), and 5-20% of that in clouds. I have a 20W panel with not particularly good siting that gets sun from about 1030 to about 1600. I have seen 1.3A from it, charging a 12V AGM battery with a simple on/off controller (brunton). Over the last 2 months I have gotten an average of just over 3 Ah per day. On really sunny days I get 7Ah. So a solar setup really needs enough batteries to run for most of a week (at least in New England), and enough panel to recharge if you have 1.5 sunny days in that week. So for a fixed installation take daily use in Ah multiply by about 15 (1 week, don't discharge more than half) to get battery capacity take daily use in Ah, multiply by 2h of average good sun per day, and find a panel that can produce that current in full sun. All that said, I have taken a single 7Ah battery and the 20W panel with charge controller, and found that in mostly sunny conditions that powers a kx3 indefinitely just fine. Do not even think of using a panel without a charge controller. You will end up with excessive voltage and fry the battery. 73 de n1dam __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
I suspect you're going to have to reinvent at least some of the wheel. I have a 10-watt panel I got several years ago and have used to power a K2 at several Field Days. It generates 0.5 amps at up to 20 volts in strong sunlight. Lower light intensity reduces the voltage but the amps stay constant. I run it into a charge controller (a kit from someone on this list), then a gel-cell battery in parallel with the K2. Running overnight, not very intensely, the battery is fully charged again at the end of FD. Lead batteries are very robust about charging, and I don't know if the controller in the KX3 can accept this kind of wide-ranging power. My panel is small and light, and is mounted in a nylon cover with a zipper -- it's two panels which fold up. It was about $100 -- cheap at the time. Looking around the web, there are folding amorphous silicon panels for backpacking, for a lot of money, and larger, cheaper, heavier panels from places like Home Depot and Northern Tools. Kits are available. You'll need a silicon panel, a reverse-voltage protection diode, and some kind of charge controller if the KX3 doesn't already do that. I'd like to hear about your results. Peter W0LLN On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 3:28 PM, jimk...@aol.com wrote: Rather than reinvent the wheel, does anybody have experience or suggestions for a small solar array sufficient to keep a KX3 with internal batteries going during daylight? I would assume 10 watts average over a reasonable TX duty cycle would be enough.? Something strong enough or flexible enough to withstand packing for air travel would be desirable. 73?? -? Jim?? K8MR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
From personal experience with the KX3 and solar panels, a 10 watt panel simply won't keep up. A 20 watt panel is fine on a bright sunny day if you shift its position and angle several times during the day. But I now use a 30 watt folding panel which has been adequate even on slightly overcast days to keep the battery fully charged, and I don't have to worry about moving it around all the time (I can just lay it flat on the ground rather than trying to match the exact sun angle). Of course if it was black-sky stormy, don't expect to keep up, and if it is winter time, lying it flat on the ground isn't a good choice given the low sun angles. I've run the KX3 in contest mode for several long contests and the average current draw over the entire contest has bee 300 mA (for 5 watts output). Bumping the power up to 10 watts brings that average drain to about 400 mA. 73, Bob, WB4SON __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
I'm using two solar setups. One is a 100W system for the K3 and KX3 / ham station generally. That's probably not going to interest anyone for portable ops with the KX3. Five or so years ago, I bought 80 4.5-inch wafers from a 2nd tier outfit in New England. From these, I built two panels that supply 21V with no load, and output is about 18W each. The panels were designed to strap on the rear of a backpack and they're about 16 x 28. I've used them only a few times as this transport arrangement is a bit clumsy and maneuvering is difficult with that type of unwieldy backpack load. Now I only use them when I drive the operating location. I would recommend some of the more modern roll-up amorphous silicon PV modules. I've seen them at Field Day, but don't have any brand names. 73, matt W6NIA On Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:28:52 -0400 (EDT), you wrote: Rather than reinvent the wheel, does anybody have experience or suggestions for a small solar array sufficient to keep a KX3 with internal batteries going during daylight? I would assume 10 watts average over a reasonable TX duty cycle would be enough.? Something strong enough or flexible enough to withstand packing for air travel would be desirable. 73?? -? Jim?? K8MR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
The key here is a good charge controller. I use a mppt controller and it is 98 % efficient. Gets 30% for charge. Has 3 different charge rates and handles all battery types. My RV is also wind turbine and solar powered. I have 560 watt solar to my mppt charger, then to my 900 amp hr battery bank. At night the wind turbine (600 watts) takes over and charges my battery bank. ( aw living off the grid. ) On Apr 19, 2013 10:07 AM, Matt Zilmer mzil...@verizon.net wrote: I'm using two solar setups. One is a 100W system for the K3 and KX3 / ham station generally. That's probably not going to interest anyone for portable ops with the KX3. Five or so years ago, I bought 80 4.5-inch wafers from a 2nd tier outfit in New England. From these, I built two panels that supply 21V with no load, and output is about 18W each. The panels were designed to strap on the rear of a backpack and they're about 16 x 28. I've used them only a few times as this transport arrangement is a bit clumsy and maneuvering is difficult with that type of unwieldy backpack load. Now I only use them when I drive the operating location. I would recommend some of the more modern roll-up amorphous silicon PV modules. I've seen them at Field Day, but don't have any brand names. 73, matt W6NIA On Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:28:52 -0400 (EDT), you wrote: Rather than reinvent the wheel, does anybody have experience or suggestions for a small solar array sufficient to keep a KX3 with internal batteries going during daylight? I would assume 10 watts average over a reasonable TX duty cycle would be enough.? Something strong enough or flexible enough to withstand packing for air travel would be desirable. 73?? -? Jim?? K8MR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
I agree re the charge controller. I use a kit-built one from CirKits. Model: SCC3. It is uber-RF-quiet being a linear cc, and can handle 20A. 73, matt W6NIA On Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:30:57 -0500, you wrote: The key here is a good charge controller. I use a mppt controller and it is 98 % efficient. Gets 30% for charge. Has 3 different charge rates and handles all battery types. My RV is also wind turbine and solar powered. I have 560 watt solar to my mppt charger, then to my 900 amp hr battery bank. At night the wind turbine (600 watts) takes over and charges my battery bank. ( aw living off the grid. ) On Apr 19, 2013 10:07 AM, Matt Zilmer mzil...@verizon.net wrote: I'm using two solar setups. One is a 100W system for the K3 and KX3 / ham station generally. That's probably not going to interest anyone for portable ops with the KX3. Five or so years ago, I bought 80 4.5-inch wafers from a 2nd tier outfit in New England. From these, I built two panels that supply 21V with no load, and output is about 18W each. The panels were designed to strap on the rear of a backpack and they're about 16 x 28. I've used them only a few times as this transport arrangement is a bit clumsy and maneuvering is difficult with that type of unwieldy backpack load. Now I only use them when I drive the operating location. I would recommend some of the more modern roll-up amorphous silicon PV modules. I've seen them at Field Day, but don't have any brand names. 73, matt W6NIA On Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:28:52 -0400 (EDT), you wrote: Rather than reinvent the wheel, does anybody have experience or suggestions for a small solar array sufficient to keep a KX3 with internal batteries going during daylight? I would assume 10 watts average over a reasonable TX duty cycle would be enough.? Something strong enough or flexible enough to withstand packing for air travel would be desirable. 73?? -? Jim?? K8MR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
MPPT Controllers (small capacity) are few and far between and expensive. Several are actually PWM, are falsely marketed as MPPT, making the situation complicated. A MPPT controller can produce about 30% more power from a given solar panel during the summer months and about 10% more during the winter months. But it may be difficult to justify the substantial cost increase for smaller panels -- ask the question are you better off spending $100 more for a MPPT controller to get 3 watts more out of a 10 watt panel, or spending $100 to buy a 20 watt panel? The BuddiPole charge controller may be ideal for a KX3 user. It is very small, will work with LiFePO4 batteries or SLAs, and it isn't particularly expensive. But as others have said, using a charge controller is critical. http://www.buddipole.com/sobaco.html 73, Bob, WB4SON __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
I have two solar panels mounted together that I got, along with a 36AH SLA battery for running our Colman camp cooler (5A draw) on road trips. The panels together supply about 7.5A at 12-18V and will fit on the roof rack of our 4Runner. I also have a made in China charge controller for the setup which includes low voltage cutoff. (All of these pieces came from Jameco.) Having decided that it was wasteful to only use them on trips, I put the panels on the roof and am using them to run the K3/10+P3. This setup is good enough to run the radio on receive all night. (I haven't tried it during our rainy season.) I hope it will run well for field day. Cheers - Bill AE6JV --- Bill Frantz| If the site is supported by | Periwinkle (408)356-8506 | ads, you are the product.| 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com | | Los Gatos, CA 95032 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
A side note for those attending Dayton. There has been a company that manufactures solar panels for the government at Dayton the last couple of years. They sell blemished panels that are used as panels in tents for power that would work perfectly for the KX3. I've got two of them and use them to charge my cell phone and run an electric cooler while out in backwoods. Forget the name of the company but they set up close to the M2, Green Herron rotor control, Array solutions booths. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch Staunton, Illinois email: b...@wjschmidt.com -Original Message- __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
Rather than reinvent the wheel, does anybody have experience or suggestions for a small solar array sufficient to keep a KX3 with internal batteries going during daylight? I would assume 10 watts average over a reasonable TX duty cycle would be enough.? Something strong enough or flexible enough to withstand packing for air travel would be desirable. 73?? -? Jim?? K8MR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
Jim: Be careful what you ask for. Solar arrays are not rated for average. Probably because there is no such thing as an average sun. I'd like to say they are rated for peak power but that is somewhat illusionary too. How much power you actually get from an array depends on many things. You will want to get some sort of charge controller for sure. That is so you can match the charging requirements of your rig and battery to the array. DO NOT expect them to be the same without a controller. I will offer a little data I collected on a 12x18 array in Southern California in June. I had a rig and 7AH gel cell in parallel. My peak solar current was 225ma (.225 x 13.8 = 3.1w) and the rig was drawing right at 200ma in receive. That meant I was pushing 25ma into the battery to replace what I used on transmit. If I could have kept that going I would have been happy. I used the ammeter to aim the array at the sun. The problem is the sun is always moving. In twelve minutes my array power was down to less than 1 watt output. That meant after five minutes I was taking power out of the gel cell to help power the receiver. If I really wanted to charge the battery I had to turn the rig off. Ratings: The manufacturer rated the array at 5 watts but they said it was the equivalent of a 10 watt array by using their controller. This was a glass covered array not suitable for back packing. If I were back packing I would want the more expensive roll-up arrays. Then you need a frame to hang them in. I have never seen any guaranteed ratings on solar arrays. Caveat Emptor. 73, Fred, AE6QL -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of jimk...@aol.com Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:29 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3 Rather than reinvent the wheel, does anybody have experience or suggestions for a small solar array sufficient to keep a KX3 with internal batteries going during daylight? I would assume 10 watts average over a reasonable TX duty cycle would be enough.? Something strong enough or flexible enough to withstand packing for air travel would be desirable. 73?? -? Jim?? K8MR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Power for KX3
This Fred will second the other Fred. My engineering team designed a solar system for 4 repeater stations for a pipeline communications system in S. Africa. It was hugely overdesigned, we had to to meet the contract specs. In full sun, it made over 200A, way more than the wet glass batteries needed or could handle, and we had to have a controller that would sink all that power. 90 mins later, it was down to 110A, and 60 min later it was down to 60A which just about shouldered the site load. Be careful in your plans. For a field operation, it's great, and it works well. I was visiting my college roommate while they were building a straw bale house, and one morning, there was no generator noise. Turned out they had a solar trailer [I have a photo if anyone is interested], it was bright and sunny, they could move the trailer, and it seemed to power their skill saws and drills. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - www.cqp.org On 4/18/2013 8:39 PM, Fred Townsend wrote: Jim: Be careful what you ask for. Solar arrays are not rated for average. Probably because there is no such thing as an average sun. I'd like to say they are rated for peak power but that is somewhat illusionary too. How much power you actually get from an array depends on many things. You will want to get some sort of charge controller for sure. That is so you can match the charging requirements of your rig and battery to the array. DO NOT expect them to be the same without a controller. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
It seems like it would be cheaper and easier to do away with the solar panels and charger. Use the money to buy a few more batteries. Charge them before FD and you're good to go. Think about this. It may even rain on FD! The solar panels would only be good as an ad hoc umbrella or tent during the rain. 73 de Brian/K3KO John R. Lonigro wrote: Andrew: This is exactly what we do at Field Day every year. We search and pounce, so our transmit duty cycle is relatively low, but after operating all afternoon, the 7 Ahr battery used with the QRP K2 is almost fully charged (assuming sunny weather, of course). We use two 5 Watt solar panels in parallel, each costing less than $40, hooked up to an inexpensive gelcell charger, to keep the battery from overcharging (probably not necessary with these solar panels). 73's, John AA0VE Paul wrote: Andrew, When reading the other posts and seeing those large Solar Panel wattages, I think they are using a K2 but with the 100W option. I can't imagine needing a 33W solar panel to power the base K2 model. On a nice day, I guessing you could hook up a 7 Ahr gel cell and have it charged with a 5-10 Watt panel and work for a long time. The battery supplies the TX power when you need it and during the RX cycle the Solar Panel is catching it for power used. You might try posting your question on the Yahoo QRPSolarPower newsgroup. 73, Paul ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
Andrew: This is exactly what we do at Field Day every year. We search and pounce, so our transmit duty cycle is relatively low, but after operating all afternoon, the 7 Ahr battery used with the QRP K2 is almost fully charged (assuming sunny weather, of course). We use two 5 Watt solar panels in parallel, each costing less than $40, hooked up to an inexpensive gelcell charger, to keep the battery from overcharging (probably not necessary with these solar panels). 73's, John AA0VE Paul wrote: Andrew, When reading the other posts and seeing those large Solar Panel wattages, I think they are using a K2 but with the 100W option. I can't imagine needing a 33W solar panel to power the base K2 model. On a nice day, I guessing you could hook up a 7 Ahr gel cell and have it charged with a 5-10 Watt panel and work for a long time. The battery supplies the TX power when you need it and during the RX cycle the Solar Panel is catching it for power used. You might try posting your question on the Yahoo QRPSolarPower newsgroup. 73, Paul ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
Brian: We have plenty of gel cells for Field Day, and, as you noted, don't really need to use the solar panels at all. However, we get 100 bonus points when we make QSOs using a battery charged via solar energy. You can't forget bonus points! 73's, John AA0VE Brian Alsop wrote: It seems like it would be cheaper and easier to do away with the solar panels and charger. Use the money to buy a few more batteries. Charge them before FD and you're good to go. Think about this. It may even rain on FD! The solar panels would only be good as an ad hoc umbrella or tent during the rain. 73 de Brian/K3KO John R. Lonigro wrote: Andrew: This is exactly what we do at Field Day every year. We search and pounce, so our transmit duty cycle is relatively low, but after operating all afternoon, the 7 Ahr battery used with the QRP K2 is almost fully charged (assuming sunny weather, of course). We use two 5 Watt solar panels in parallel, each costing less than $40, hooked up to an inexpensive gelcell charger, to keep the battery from overcharging (probably not necessary with these solar panels). 73's, John AA0VE Paul wrote: Andrew, When reading the other posts and seeing those large Solar Panel wattages, I think they are using a K2 but with the 100W option. I can't imagine needing a 33W solar panel to power the base K2 model. On a nice day, I guessing you could hook up a 7 Ahr gel cell and have it charged with a 5-10 Watt panel and work for a long time. The battery supplies the TX power when you need it and during the RX cycle the Solar Panel is catching it for power used. You might try posting your question on the Yahoo QRPSolarPower newsgroup. 73, Paul ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
I got into some wrong notes this morning. 600 MA is the amount adding the KPA-100 adds to the K3 during key down or transmit conditions. My earlier measurements were the right ones. I have the larger solar controller from Don Brown KD5NDB and it works well with an AC power supply I use to keep my battery charged. I have been using this for 6 years and now wonder if any advances have been made in solar cells so a ham can use them. I looked up a 70 watt solar panel on the internet and it was $500. I can't justify that and don't have any idea if it is even small enough to take car camping. Does anyone have any suggestions for solar power or do I just need to buy a second large battery? Thanks and 73 Ken W0CZ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
I'm very interested in hearing responses to solar setups for use with the K2 and would appreciate seeing replies shared on the list, if it's not considered too off-topic. Thanks, --Andrew On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 3:32 PM, Kenneth A. Christiansen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I got into some wrong notes this morning. 600 MA is the amount adding the KPA-100 adds to the K3 during key down or transmit conditions. My earlier measurements were the right ones. I have the larger solar controller from Don Brown KD5NDB and it works well with an AC power supply I use to keep my battery charged. I have been using this for 6 years and now wonder if any advances have been made in solar cells so a ham can use them. I looked up a 70 watt solar panel on the internet and it was $500. I can't justify that and don't have any idea if it is even small enough to take car camping. Does anyone have any suggestions for solar power or do I just need to buy a second large battery? Thanks and 73 Ken W0CZ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
Ken Look up Northern Tools. I've bought several 15w solar panels from them, all under $90. Some I even got during a promotion where they paid shipping :-) 73, Bob N6WG - Original Message - From: Kenneth A. Christiansen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:32 AM Subject: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2 I got into some wrong notes this morning. 600 MA is the amount adding the KPA-100 adds to the K3 during key down or transmit conditions. My earlier measurements were the right ones. I have the larger solar controller from Don Brown KD5NDB and it works well with an AC power supply I use to keep my battery charged. I have been using this for 6 years and now wonder if any advances have been made in solar cells so a ham can use them. I looked up a 70 watt solar panel on the internet and it was $500. I can't justify that and don't have any idea if it is even small enough to take car camping. Does anyone have any suggestions for solar power or do I just need to buy a second large battery? Thanks and 73 Ken W0CZ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
Ken, I show a 33 watt solar charger in Northern Tools that is $299.99 and 38X11-3/4x1 and 13 lbs. Doable in a car, but a bit big for back packing. Also pricey. It does not include a controller at that price. --- Kenneth A. Christiansen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I got into some wrong notes this morning. 600 MA is the amount adding the KPA-100 adds to the K3 during key down or transmit conditions. My earlier measurements were the right ones. I have the larger solar controller from Don Brown KD5NDB and it works well with an AC power supply I use to keep my battery charged. I have been using this for 6 years and now wonder if any advances have been made in solar cells so a ham can use them. I looked up a 70 watt solar panel on the internet and it was $500. I can't justify that and don't have any idea if it is even small enough to take car camping. Does anyone have any suggestions for solar power or do I just need to buy a second large battery? Thanks and 73 Ken W0CZ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com Willis 'Cookie' Cooke K5EWJ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar power for the K2
Andrew, When reading the other posts and seeing those large Solar Panel wattages, I think they are using a K2 but with the 100W option. I can't imagine needing a 33W solar panel to power the base K2 model. On a nice day, I guessing you could hook up a 7 Ahr gel cell and have it charged with a 5-10 Watt panel and work for a long time. The battery supplies the TX power when you need it and during the RX cycle the Solar Panel is catching it for power used. You might try posting your question on the Yahoo QRPSolarPower newsgroup. 73, Paul ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] solar power
I'm trying to set up a remote radio location with solar power. Does anyone have current info on the best solar panels and charger? Frank W7is ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] solar power
I run my Elecraft K1 at home off of four Siemens 55 watt panels. I use a 30 amp charge controller which feed six golf cart batteries that are 6 volts each at 200 amp-hr. I have them wired in three pairs go give 12 vdc at 600 amp-hr. The panels and the batteries are now 12 years old and still running fine. The batteries also run a 500 watt DC to 120 VAC inverter. I have some photos of the solar setup and house at http://www.metaphoria.us//Tiff3/index.html My ham radio webpage is here: http://www.metaphoria.us/hamradio/ham_radio.htm In my opinion, one of the best sources for things solar is the Mr. Solar website at: http://www.mrsolar.com/ Jozef WB2MIC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm trying to set up a remote radio location with solar power. Does anyone have current info on the best solar panels and charger? Frank W7is ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
