As part of my SOTA activations I will be camping and therefore no mains. I’m wanting a solar charger that I can use at the camp site and if possible one that can go woth me on my activations to stretch out the time that I will get from the battery. There seems to be so much to choose from I just don’t know what to buy.
In reply to M6VID:
Depends on your panel. Can you give us an idea on what you are using?
Matt/K0MOS
In reply to M6VID:
.
Run it past W6JP. He has been doing solar all his adult life.
Elliott, K6EL
In reply to M6VID:
Buddipole makes a very slick, light and small charger that can handle up to 75w.
I use it with my Powerfilm 30W panel.
- Jay N1RWY
In reply to K0MOS:
Sorry should have explained that I’m starting from scratch so need a panel and charger.
In reply to K6ILM:
That’s what I need someone who knows what they’re talking about!
In reply to N1RWY:
In reply to M6VID:
Buddipole makes a very slick, light and small charger that can handle
up to 75w.
I use it with my Powerfilm 30W panel.DISCONTINUED -- Please see our "PowerMini" device
- Jay N1RWY
I like that. Looks very good. Just hope they’re stocked in the UK as customs duty for items arriving from the States are very high.
In reply to M6VID:
I like that. Looks very good. Just hope they’re stocked in the UK as
customs duty for items arriving from the States are very high.
Even if they are stocked in the UK, you can be sure that the “very high” importation duty will be built into the price. Generally the price charged in the UK for items of USA origin is the same number of GB pounds as the original price in US $.
73,
Walt (G3NYY)
In reply to M6VID:
The amount of energy that you can get from solar varies with the weather, the time of day and the season. It also varies with latitude for similar reasons: a panel that works well in the USA will give significantly less output in the UK - though as in summer the hours of daylight are longer in the UK than they are in the USA the panel will deliver power for longer!
73
Brian G8ADD
In reply to M6VID:
You have to size your solar panel according to your needs. This depends on your geographical location (amount of sunshine you receive). You also have to consider the amount of power your radio is consuming (RX/TX) and for how long you would like to operate. That depends on your radio, duty cycle and operating mode.
When you determined the size of your panels, you can check out the different options (foldable, rollable, suit-case style etc.) They all come in different sizes, price-points and are more or less portable (depending on your plans). They all have their specific advantages and disadvantages.
Of course you will also need a suitable battery to store all the energy you need. There are different technologies available. The most suitable for portable radio is probably LiFePo4 (at least in my opinion). They have a high price point but are worth every penny in the long term.
After you determined the panel and the battery technology you can tackle the solar controller. The controller regulates the voltage and current coming from the panels and should therefore match your battery technology to avoid overcharging.
As somebody already mentioned, Buddipole makes a very slick controller and works up to 75W with lead acid and Lithium Iron batteries. There big advantage is the size, weight and the fact that they are already equipped with power pole connectors. But there are others.
Here a video of a setup I am using successfully in sunny Colorado:
Hope this helps.
Matt/KØMOS
In reply to G3NYY:
In reply to M6VID:
I like that. Looks very good. Just hope they’re stocked in the UK as
customs duty for items arriving from the States are very high.Even if they are stocked in the UK, you can be sure that the “very
high” importation duty will be built into the price. Generally the
price charged in the UK for items of USA origin is the same number of
GB pounds as the original price in US $.73,
Walt (G3NYY)
Thats a good point!
In reply to G8ADD & K0MOS:
Some good information there. K0MOS - like the setup you have.
There are lots of options and price points. Now I have a better idea with what I’m doing.
Thanks for the information everyone.