Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Yes -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Potter, Tom E Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:54 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic That gives me an idea. Could I use the circuitry from an old 6-amp trickle charger to control this thing? I have one of those. I can mount the panel on the back roof of my garage, which faces south. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Cathey Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 9:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic > After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow going > in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the positive > side.. You _will_ need a diode at least, as raw solar panels will consume current from the battery in the dark. This panel is much too large for the usual trickle charger and was really designed for use with a charge controller. Most tricklers just let the battery burn off the excess charge as heat, but an 8A overcharge (let us say) will cook the battery to death. The open-circuit voltage of even small trickle-charge panels is something like 17V or more so that they can still charge some on cloudy days, I expect this yours the same. The small 1.5W panels can only put out about 100mA, and have little chance of killing anything automotive. You have a magnificent resource there, but it's a little like the guy who has a Chevy 350 he wants to put in place of the B&S engine in his kid's go-kart. Yes, it can probably be done but there will likely be some serious fallout of the not-good variety. Either put a charge controller on it, manually use it like an old-fashioned plug-in charger without an automatic shutoff, or cover most of it with plywood to turn it down to something that will do no harm unattended (and put a diode on it). That gives me an idea: it may be that you can tap into a regular battery charger that has an automatic shutoff and/or an automatic maintenance mode so that the panel takes the place of the wall plug. You'd feed the panel's output (through an isolation diode) to the output of the main rectifier after the power transformer. Easy, and it might even work. Need to test it a bit before deploying it, though. -- Jim ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
If the charging voltage is much higher than 14.0 it may overcharge the battery and significantly shorten the life of the battery. All it takes to drop the charging voltage is a resistor inline to the battery to cause some voltage drop. Solar pannels produce more voltage the brighter the sun is AND the lower the temps are. Hot, sunny summer days are not the best charging days; cold bright sunny winter days are when you will see the highest voltage from the pannel. The logic circuit isn't complicated to manage the voltage according to the charge state of the battery. i.e. charge at a higher voltage when the battery is weaker, and trickle charge when the battery is almost or fully charged. This will maintain battery health and longevity the easiest. Does this help? Luther ~Tom, ~ ~You'll need to get output of right around 13.0 volts. Too low, no ~charging will happen (might even drain battery), I don't think that too ~high will be a problem given that the amperage will probably be low. If ~the panels don't put out more than 13 volts, you'll need to find a ~clever way to step up the voltage. ~ ~After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow going ~in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the positive ~side.. ~ ~Very respectfully, ~/s/ ~Meade Dillon ~Charleston SC ~'87 300TD 287k miles ~'85 190D 2.2 5 spd 106k miles ~'85 300TD Euro 5spd 327k miles *sold* ~ -- Luther KB5QHU Alma, Ark '83 300SD (231,xxx kmi) '82 300CD (159,222 kmi) '82 300D (74,000 kmi) needs MAJOR work
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Green will be proud. Would be better if you could incorporate an old washing machine or some kitchen appliance... A washing machine makes an _excellent_ stable base to hold the panel up at an angle to the sun. -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Couple of excellent ideas there. Substitute duct tape for plywood, and/or charging controller from base of old cordless phone, and Mr. Red Green will be proud. Would be better if you could incorporate an old washing machine or some kitchen appliance... -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Cathey Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic > After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow > going in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the > positive side.. You _will_ need a diode at least, as raw solar panels will consume current from the battery in the dark. This panel is much too large for the usual trickle charger and was really designed for use with a charge controller. Most tricklers just let the battery burn off the excess charge as heat, but an 8A overcharge (let us say) will cook the battery to death. The open-circuit voltage of even small trickle-charge panels is something like 17V or more so that they can still charge some on cloudy days, I expect this yours the same. The small 1.5W panels can only put out about 100mA, and have little chance of killing anything automotive. You have a magnificent resource there, but it's a little like the guy who has a Chevy 350 he wants to put in place of the B&S engine in his kid's go-kart. Yes, it can probably be done but there will likely be some serious fallout of the not-good variety. Either put a charge controller on it, manually use it like an old-fashioned plug-in charger without an automatic shutoff, or cover most of it with plywood to turn it down to something that will do no harm unattended (and put a diode on it). That gives me an idea: it may be that you can tap into a regular battery charger that has an automatic shutoff and/or an automatic maintenance mode so that the panel takes the place of the wall plug. You'd feed the panel's output (through an isolation diode) to the output of the main rectifier after the power transformer. Easy, and it might even work. Need to test it a bit before deploying it, though. -- Jim ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow going in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the positive side.. You _will_ need a diode at least, as raw solar panels will consume current from the battery in the dark. This panel is much too large for the usual trickle charger and was really designed for use with a charge controller. Most tricklers just let the battery burn off the excess charge as heat, but an 8A overcharge (let us say) will cook the battery to death. The open-circuit voltage of even small trickle-charge panels is something like 17V or more so that they can still charge some on cloudy days, I expect this yours the same. The small 1.5W panels can only put out about 100mA, and have little chance of killing anything automotive. You have a magnificent resource there, but it's a little like the guy who has a Chevy 350 he wants to put in place of the B&S engine in his kid's go-kart. Yes, it can probably be done but there will likely be some serious fallout of the not-good variety. Either put a charge controller on it, manually use it like an old-fashioned plug-in charger without an automatic shutoff, or cover most of it with plywood to turn it down to something that will do no harm unattended (and put a diode on it). That gives me an idea: it may be that you can tap into a regular battery charger that has an automatic shutoff and/or an automatic maintenance mode so that the panel takes the place of the wall plug. You'd feed the panel's output (through an isolation diode) to the output of the main rectifier after the power transformer. Easy, and it might even work. Need to test it a bit before deploying it, though. -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Tom, Wow! 8 amps is huge; that won't be a trickle charger unless you can turn down the amperage, you probably want something like 0.1 amps. What size is it? Perhaps that was output was at extremely low voltage, and will drop off with increasing voltage. Very respectfully, /s/ Meade Dillon Charleston SC '87 300TD 287k miles '85 190D 2.2 5 spd 106k miles '85 300TD Euro 5spd 327k miles *sold* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Potter, Tom E Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:43 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic Thanks. I need to check the specifications on the panel to see what it is rated for. I did check the amperage output one cloudy day, and it was putting out about 8 amps. I figured some diodes would be necessary, but I do not have enough electronic savvy to figure it out. I am going to keep playing with this idea for a while. Tom Potter -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dillon, Meade LCDR Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:30 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic Tom, You'll need to get output of right around 13.0 volts. Too low, no charging will happen (might even drain battery), I don't think that too high will be a problem given that the amperage will probably be low. If the panels don't put out more than 13 volts, you'll need to find a clever way to step up the voltage. After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow going in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the positive side.. Very respectfully, /s/ Meade Dillon Charleston SC '87 300TD 287k miles '85 190D 2.2 5 spd 106k miles '85 300TD Euro 5spd 327k miles *sold* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Potter, Tom E Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:22 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic While we are on this subject, I have a question. I have a solar panel from a traffic control arrowboard (You know, the ones with the blinking arrow that are placed before road construction work sites), and I would like to mount it as a trickle charger on my garage. Are there any specific electronics that I need to install to make this work properly? I do not have a controller for the panel. Tom Potter -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of OK Don Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:38 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion,barely on topic Speaking of solar power - has anyone used one of the solar cell battery trickle chargers, like come with new VWs, and are all over eBay - http://tinyurl.com/kw64s ??? Having more cars than drivers at the moment, I'm thinking they might be a good idea. Easier than hauling out the A/C powered trickle charger all the time. On 5/9/06, Bill Gallagher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Luther: > Certainly, you have a very creative mind I am looking at sun > and wind as a source of power . Photo cells and a small wind turbine > .I am trying to move away from mechanical ...Good luck on your project > > Bill > 1981 300 TD -- OK Don, KD5NRO Norman, OK "The Americans will always do the right thing... after they've exhausted all the alternatives." Sir Winston Churchill '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Thanks. I need to check the specifications on the panel to see what it is rated for. I did check the amperage output one cloudy day, and it was putting out about 8 amps. I figured some diodes would be necessary, but I do not have enough electronic savvy to figure it out. I am going to keep playing with this idea for a while. Tom Potter -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dillon, Meade LCDR Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:30 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic Tom, You'll need to get output of right around 13.0 volts. Too low, no charging will happen (might even drain battery), I don't think that too high will be a problem given that the amperage will probably be low. If the panels don't put out more than 13 volts, you'll need to find a clever way to step up the voltage. After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow going in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the positive side.. Very respectfully, /s/ Meade Dillon Charleston SC '87 300TD 287k miles '85 190D 2.2 5 spd 106k miles '85 300TD Euro 5spd 327k miles *sold* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Potter, Tom E Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:22 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic While we are on this subject, I have a question. I have a solar panel from a traffic control arrowboard (You know, the ones with the blinking arrow that are placed before road construction work sites), and I would like to mount it as a trickle charger on my garage. Are there any specific electronics that I need to install to make this work properly? I do not have a controller for the panel. Tom Potter -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of OK Don Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:38 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion,barely on topic Speaking of solar power - has anyone used one of the solar cell battery trickle chargers, like come with new VWs, and are all over eBay - http://tinyurl.com/kw64s ??? Having more cars than drivers at the moment, I'm thinking they might be a good idea. Easier than hauling out the A/C powered trickle charger all the time. On 5/9/06, Bill Gallagher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Luther: > Certainly, you have a very creative mind I am looking at sun > and wind as a source of power . Photo cells and a small wind turbine > .I am trying to move away from mechanical ...Good luck on your project > > Bill > 1981 300 TD -- OK Don, KD5NRO Norman, OK "The Americans will always do the right thing... after they've exhausted all the alternatives." Sir Winston Churchill '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Tom, You'll need to get output of right around 13.0 volts. Too low, no charging will happen (might even drain battery), I don't think that too high will be a problem given that the amperage will probably be low. If the panels don't put out more than 13 volts, you'll need to find a clever way to step up the voltage. After that, maybe an efficient set of diodes to keep current flow going in correct directions, and maybe a fuse for safety on the positive side.. Very respectfully, /s/ Meade Dillon Charleston SC '87 300TD 287k miles '85 190D 2.2 5 spd 106k miles '85 300TD Euro 5spd 327k miles *sold* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Potter, Tom E Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:22 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind,was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic While we are on this subject, I have a question. I have a solar panel from a traffic control arrowboard (You know, the ones with the blinking arrow that are placed before road construction work sites), and I would like to mount it as a trickle charger on my garage. Are there any specific electronics that I need to install to make this work properly? I do not have a controller for the panel. Tom Potter -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of OK Don Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:38 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion,barely on topic Speaking of solar power - has anyone used one of the solar cell battery trickle chargers, like come with new VWs, and are all over eBay - http://tinyurl.com/kw64s ??? Having more cars than drivers at the moment, I'm thinking they might be a good idea. Easier than hauling out the A/C powered trickle charger all the time. On 5/9/06, Bill Gallagher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Luther: > Certainly, you have a very creative mind I am looking at sun > and wind as a source of power . Photo cells and a small wind turbine > .I am trying to move away from mechanical ...Good luck on your project > > Bill > 1981 300 TD -- OK Don, KD5NRO Norman, OK "The Americans will always do the right thing... after they've exhausted all the alternatives." Sir Winston Churchill '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
While we are on this subject, I have a question. I have a solar panel from a traffic control arrowboard (You know, the ones with the blinking arrow that are placed before road construction work sites), and I would like to mount it as a trickle charger on my garage. Are there any specific electronics that I need to install to make this work properly? I do not have a controller for the panel. Tom Potter -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of OK Don Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:38 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion,barely on topic Speaking of solar power - has anyone used one of the solar cell battery trickle chargers, like come with new VWs, and are all over eBay - http://tinyurl.com/kw64s ??? Having more cars than drivers at the moment, I'm thinking they might be a good idea. Easier than hauling out the A/C powered trickle charger all the time. On 5/9/06, Bill Gallagher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Luther: > Certainly, you have a very creative mind I am looking at sun > and wind as a source of power . Photo cells and a small wind turbine > .I am trying to move away from mechanical ...Good luck on your project > > Bill > 1981 300 TD -- OK Don, KD5NRO Norman, OK "The Americans will always do the right thing... after they've exhausted all the alternatives." Sir Winston Churchill '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
Speaking of solar power - has anyone used one of the solar cell battery trickle chargers, I have several, they're good if you park outside. The small ones aren't enough to keep up with the steady drain, but do dramatically lengthen the time between real chargings. The AC powered ones work best, and are what I have the most of. -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] Solar - Wind, was 4cyl diesel engine/air compressor conversion, barely on topic
OK Don wrote: Speaking of solar power - has anyone used one of the solar cell battery trickle chargers, like come with new VWs, and are all over eBay - http://tinyurl.com/kw64s ??? Having more cars than drivers at the moment, I'm thinking they might be a good idea. Easier than hauling out the A/C powered trickle charger all the time. I've got one. It never seemed to help much for me, but I think the problem is that the sun doesn't shine much during Michigan winters. In sunnier climes they'd probably work better. I've heard VW started putting these in new cars so that the batteries wouldn't go dead while they were in storage lots. David Brodbeck '83 300D Turbo
