Re: (ET) Solar charging, part 2

[Jeremy Gagliardi com]

On Tue, 22 Apr 2003 16:00:07 -0400, "SteveS" wrote:
> Yes, at the relatively low currents that we are talking about (5A or so),
> there are inexpensive controllers one could make or buy. Now, where do we
> buy cheap (err, inexpensive) solar panels?
> SteveS
> E12Ss
> E20

Okay, now the next question is who can build one (Harry Landis, are you up 
to
the task)?  I haven't dabbled in electronics since I took a required 
course in
college for my CompSci degree.  That was 11 years ago, and I don't 
remember a
lick of it.  Although, if someone drew up a schematic, I might be able to 
follow
it.

--
Jeremy
E20

> > This makes me wonder if it would be simpler to build a simple DC
> controller,
> > similar to the Landis model.  The Landis Controller is a solid state AC
> relay
> > with a simple DC monitor (when batteries go below 38V it turns on the 
> > AC
> relay
> > to the charger).  Can't a similar controller be built that monitors the
> > batteries in the same exact way, but opens up a DC relay from the solar
> panels?
> > The Landis Controller is only about $40.