Re: (ET) Solar charging, part 2 :using a stationary pack

["Eric" <E-max sbcglobal net>]

Hello ET list and Jeremy,
   I think Jeremy has the right ideal here by using his solar panels to
charge a stationary battery pack. For someone to buy three solar panels and
a charge controller just for his Elec-trak is not cost effective as Peter
pointed out. I am in the middle of installing a system like Jeremy's (only 
a
little smaller) of solar charging a stationary battery pack that then can 
be
used to: recharge the Elec-trak, recharge the battery powered weed wacker,
recharge the Ryobi battery powered push mower, recharge my three Makita
battery powered  "power tools" and basically run any AC power tools in my
shop like  Chris Zach does.
   In my opinion I think charging a stationary pack instead of directly
charging the Elec-trak gives you the freedom to do more (than just charging
the ET). Coupling together the ability to recharge the ET along with other
uses makes the investment in solar panels a wise investment. Don't forget 
to
explain to the wife how if the electricity goes off again at least we have 
a
back up system to hold us over till the electricity in our area is 
restored.
I will be using golf car batteries (slightly used 6 volt batteries) for my
stationary pack since they are cheap and readily available. I did purchase
an  "Outback" brand 2kw true sinewave inverter. This is the same company
that makes the charge controller Travis Creswell is using.  It's a nice
piece of equipment and supposedly over built, just like our  Elec-traks  
I'm
hoping.
     Eric Miller

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeremy <nagidog starband net>
To: elec trak yahoo group <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 8:27 PM
Subject: Re: (ET) Solar charging, part 2


> I have a feeling that those considering charging their elec traks via
solar
> panels do not currently have a solar system.  I charge my e-12 
> exclusively
> via solar power.  Solar panels, as they are very expensive, are better
> served if charging a large battery bank.  I would not consider pulling 
> off
> three panels so I can directly charge my e-12, that would waste quite a
bit
> of power as the e-12 got closer to charged and the e-12 batteries were
> sucking a very small amount of the amperage produced by the solar panels.
I
> have 12 80 watt panels charging 8- L-16 batteries, I just plug my 
> electrak
> in to the 120 outlet from the inverter, the amount wasted by going 
> through
> the batteries is not as much as would be wasted by removing 3 panels, or
if
> I got 3 new panels they would definelty go on the big rack.
>
> Jeremy