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Solar power?

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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
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Matt Zilmer-3

Re: 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
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--
Pull the curtain, Fred. It won't be long now.

Matt Zilmer, W6NIA
[Shiraz]

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Solar power?

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

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 <[hidden email]> 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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Rick WA6NHC-2

Re: Solar power?

In reply to this post by Matt Zilmer-3

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

Jim Brown-10

Re: Solar power?

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

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.

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Igor Sokolov-2

Re: Solar power?

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

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:

Elecraft mailing list

Re: 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 <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
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:

______________________________________________________________
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Igor Sokolov-2

Re: 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 <[hidden email]>
> *To:* [hidden email]
> *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:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >
> > 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 [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> 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 [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>

Elecraft mailing list

Re: 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 <[hidden email]>
To: Mel Farrer <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
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 <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
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:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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