If the panels are isolated by a diode, it shouldn't
matter if they are different makes/models/sizes etc.
as long as their open circuit output voltages are
somewhat above that required by the regulator.
The simplest VR for a panel would be a high power
zener diode (or equivalent). The zener would conduct
at the max charge voltage for the battery, and
dissipate any excess charge as heat. For large arrays,
this could be cumbersome, and a PWM type of charger
would be better.
Joe
--- Kevin Custer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I'm not trying to start a fight, Eric, just answer a
> few questions.
>
>
> >>Unless you are pointing the dissimilar panels in
> different
> >>directions....
> >>
> >>
> >
> >[Unless we have two or more suns, the panels should
> be in the same
> >plane, pointing in the same direction. Since the
> angle for optimum
> >operation in the winter is steeper than in summer,
> it is generally a
> >good idea to use the winter angle year around. In
> summer, there is
> >usually an excess of solar energy, so the winter
> angle is more than
> >adequate.]
> >
> >
>
> Around here, some folks are experimenting with the
> east to west
> alignment of several panels. Most of us are not
> fortunate enough to
> have a sun tracker mount, and just as it's important
> for summer/winter
> declination, folks are seeing that there are
> instances where several
> smaller panels in a east to west alignment will have
> advantage over one
> large stationary panel.
>
> >[I have bought panels from Siemens, Solarex, Shell,
> and Phillips, and
> >*none* of them included a diode on the output. An
> output diode is *not*
> >the same thing as a diode embedded within the panel
> itself.
> >
> >
>
> Okay, so what is the embedded one for?
>
> >
> >
> >>>Remember that one of the tasks performed by a
> good solar controller
> >>>is to shunt all of the excess power produced by
> the panels, once the
> >>>batteries are fully charged.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>Can you elaborate on this, Eric?
> >>
> >>
> >
> >[Most of the better solar charge controllers have
> three basic
> >functions: 1. To regulate the current going to
> the battery so that it
> >is not overcharged; 2. To disconnect the load
> when the battery voltage
> >falls to a level where either the battery or the
> load can be damaged ;
> >3. To shunt excess energy from the solar panels,
> so that high voltages
> >cannot damage the load equipment. It's important
> to note that the solar
> >panels, the battery, and the load are independently
> connected to the
> >controller so that it has complete control over the
> power distribution.
> >
>
> One instance I see where the shunt function is very
> valuable is, *if* a
> large battery bank is not used (or none at all)
> excess energy could over
> voltage the load.
> I'm I on the right track?
>
> Kevin
>
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
