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solar power battery charger
E01057-Clamshell Mobile Phone Solar Power Charger - Silver
Alternative Energy Questions:
Using deep cycle batteries and solar charger........?
I want to use one/two deep cycle batteries for a power source when camping, emergencies, etc. I would like to use a solar panel with a trickle charge to have them 100% til needed. Anyone have knowledge of a kit, plans for just a good solar charger? I'd prefer to have one that i could screw and bolt to the battery terminals vs. the typical "clamps".
You can go to a solar shop and get some of what is required, either locally or off the web. You need a 36 cell (12V) solar panel, the bigger the better, a regulator (so it stops charging when the batteries are full), some cable rated to suit the current from the panel, and clamps for the battery. You can get clamps like a car battery has, with wing nuts. A bought regulator may be cheaper. Get a basic one if there are various types, current rated at least what your panel is.
If you go to the first link, there is a circuit for a satisfactory regulator up to 10A. CLick on it for a better image that you can print out. You can make it more current by paralleling the output FET with another. Note that Q3 the power switch is a P channel FET, not the more common N channel. The op amps are a CMOS rail to rail type, with no diode clamps on the inputs. They are +/- 8V rated (so 16V maximum). The panel can put out 22V when the battery is disconnected, so that is why they have a regulator. It is also the reference voltage. The transorb can be replaced by a 100nF capacitor. The thermistor can be replaced by a resistor of the same value. It is to adjust the charge voltage for temperature when using gel type (SLA) batteries. No need for a deep cycle or car battery (flooded electrolyte). It is a good idea to put a "gate stopper" resistor in series with PFET gates to make sure it cannot oscillate - 100 ohms. Q2 is a preregulator so the 7805 is safe with a 24V panel, not needed for 12V. S1B is not used (see parts list). The equalise switch is to give an overcharge, not really needed.
How it works.
It switches on until the battery voltage is the float voltage (13.85V or slightly higher), then off till the battery is about a volt lower, then back on. I have used a similar regulator on 12 different stations for about 20 years, so I can vouch for it as being satisfactory. No need to load panels down and so on, just disconnect them.
Other stuff
If you put a solar panel on the grass or ground, it will quickly get hot, over 60C, and stop charging. The output voltage has a negative temperature coefficient so the voltage is too low to charge. It needs air circulation.
D1 is a shottky diode for its lower voltage drop. A 36 cell panel has enough voltage to charge a 12V battery at 60C with one diode drop in series. Most panels have a diode in the terminal strip. If that is removed you could use an ordinary diode (20 or 30 amps), but the shottky type is better.
If the PFET is a TO220 pack it probably doesn't need a heatsink, or just a small one, say 6 Watts..
It is useful to have an ammeter in series with the battery. A ten amp one is fine. Helps line up the panel if nothing else.
The second link has a lot of good links, and is one example of a solar regulator.
The lines drawn heavier on the circuit should be 10A or 20A wire.
Where do you get the less common parts? Farnell, Radio Spares, Digikey.
Solar Battery Chargers for small devices
There has been a lot of advancement in solar energy technology and there are more innovations made daily like solar powered battery chargers. There are many solar energy products that are suitable for portable use like generators, charges, etc. These products have helped to take small devices everywhere like the solar transistor or solar powered torch or solar powered torch. Almost all the electronic devices can be charged by solar powered charges
The solar powered battery chargers are very convenient and can be taken anywhere. There are no cords and plugs in these solar powered battery chargers. All these solar powered items are very easy to use and can be bought from the internet. There are many websites that deal in such equipment. You can visit one such website energy4energy and get all information from it. The solar powered equipment or panels can be bought from anywhere and are easy to install and use. You get all the information on the internet and it will help you to learn all the technologies properly
If we use solar powered equipment, then we will be doing our part in making renewable energy more popular and ready for use. The shortage of fossil fuel and increase in the price of fossil fuel along with its harmful effects on environment has led to the advancement in this technology and it is our duty to use it. These equipments are easy to use and will save you money in the long run. It will be worthwhile investment and will save our earth and future generations.
