Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 21:56:54 +0800 From: Raymond <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [LIBRETTO] Raymond's Solar Reply
>Would "brownout" occur due to lack of Voltage or lack of >Amperage. Well the solar panel has a reasonably high internal resistance so the answer to your question is both - an inability by the panel to supply sufficient current (eg. under clouds, trees, etc.) will result in an increase in internal resistance resulting in a lack of voltage at the output. >I plan on charging most of the day, with minimal use in the >evening. Thats probably the best option - like I said, you DON'T want to run electrical stuff straight off a solar panel (unless its pretty tolerant like a little motor or a clock or something). You'd be better off probably charging an external pack (ie. NOT the Libretto's internal pack - in fact you might want to junk that altogether). >There exist bike mountable units which could supply as much >as 20 Watts at 15 Volts in direct sunlight. Yes, in DIRECT sunlight. Those claims vary wildly - you'd do well to actually try it out because I doubt you'll constantly have full summer sun falling onto that thing. Take their claims with a very large grain of salt - a bit like laptop battery life claims ;-) >However, what >troubles me is that the Power fluctuation inherent may cause >the lib circuitry to reject a diminished supply >current/voltage. Thats why you charge an external pack. There are circuits out there that'll regulate your power for you so the battery charges nicely even as your panel illumination fluctuates wildly (remember, the battery doesn't care if it charges a bit at a time). >This would not be a problem in itself, but >would be a problem if prolonged exposure to Power >fluctuation damaged either circuitry or battery. It'd probably confuse the hell outa the libby, certainly the charge regulator in it will keep cutting out on you. LIke I said, a regulator circuit designed for use with solar panels would be your best bet charging a totally separate battery pack (which you could then use to run both your satphone and your libby, both without their internal battery packs). >Can anyone recommend a solar guru? Will anyone give me Bill >Cotten's address? Who's Bill Cotten? - Raymond ************************************************************** http://libretto.basiclink.com - Libretto mailing list http://libretto.basiclink.com/archive - Archives http://www.picante.com/~gtaylor/portable/faq.html - FAQ -------TO UNSUBSCRIBE------- Reply to any of the list messages. The reply mail should be addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Then replace any text on the message's subject line: cmd:unsubscribe --------TO UNSUBSCRIBE DIGEST------ Do above but with this on subject line: cmd:unsubscribe digest **************************************************************
