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wind charge controller | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: wind charge controller (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by eformx on Tue Oct 5th, 2004 at 12:40:59 PM MST
(User Info)

Can I buy this controller or something similar?

Re: wind charge controller (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by suns10 on Sat Oct 9th, 2004 at 08:05:47 PM MST
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This looks like a very simple charge controller that will switch to a dump load when the batteries are full. I like the idea of no electronics to fail and a fairly high amp rating 50 Amps. What do you all think?

http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/batteryregulator.html

[ Parent ]

Re: wind charge controller (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by eformx on Wed Oct 13th, 2004 at 08:26:16 PM MST
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This item looks like a good choice. It looks like it senses the voltage in the battery, if a top limit is reached, it opens the circuit to the load (like a 12 volt heating element), diverting the excess power in the battery (anything over 14.5 volts) to the device until the top limit is reduced.

If this is the case, then it really doesn't matter what voltage and current you stuff into the battery, the battery voltage never exceeds 14.5 volts.

Does this sound right?

Rob

[ Parent ]

Re: wind charge controller (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by suns10 on Sat Oct 16th, 2004 at 08:49:56 PM MST
(User Info)

Thanks for the reply..
I am new to this and no expert but I think that is true as long as the dump load is large enough to dump the same or more power than the wind generator and solar panel are delivering to the batteries. Once the lower limit on the contoller is reached due to the batteries discharging to 13 volts the dump load is switched off and batteries charge again.

I will be putting a 200 watt windmill for battery charging in at my very remote cabin and I think an item like this will work well in freezing tempuratures as the cabin is in northern Minnesota and not heated in the winter unless occupied. Other regulators have digital displays and other electronics and I worry they may fail in -20 degrees F.

I'm not sure what size of dump load to put in place however. I think a 12V 500 watt light or heater load should be OK. I want to get it right because I can be away for weeks at a time.

Thank you,

[ Parent ]

wind charge controller | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 editorial)

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