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ghurd.................charge controller advice please.


By snake, Section Controls
Posted on Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 12:00:27 AM MST
hi ,i have a question about charge controller to be used for a 12v system.i have an ametek 38vdc which i am expecting to give about 3 amps at 14v

i have been searching for a simple home-made charge controller for weeks till i came across 2 types,the ghurd one and another

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/9/20/0406/27488
its in that posting

i have read about both one and i believe that the ghurd controller is more  reliable and simpler to build.

i want to know the maximum amps at 14v that ghurd controller can hold and can someone please give me a full parts details for the controller + the schematic

thanks friend
ghurd.................charge controller advice please. | 5 comments (5 topical)

..charge controller advice please. (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by independent on Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 01:02:34 AM MST

Snake, Just posting this as someone who has built a couple of these. By no means an expert. I put 12A through my big one and it's fine with a low resistance power transistor. I think what people do if they want to increase Amps is to either use more of the power transistors parallel if practicable. Or, to use relays. Hth


Re: ghurd...charge controller advice (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by ghurd on Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 05:24:44 AM MST

There is not really a limit to the Total amps it can be made to handle.
Just add more power fets and loads.
And if that won't make it big enough, add another parallel P-fet and double the power mosfets and loads.

The limit is the amps each individual power mosfet can carry.  
And that the mosfets and loads need to be separate.  
(paralleling mosfets into a large Single load is NOT a good idea for most people)
I believe Independent is using the optional lower resistance power mosfets which can handle more amps.

Some Ametek 38's can make more than 3A.  I have no idea of all the variations.

The dump load Must be larger than the max charging amps.  About 30% more is a common recommendation.
If you are sure your version and blades will make 3A max, then you need to dump about 4A.

The kit comes with 2 of IRFZ44N power mosfets, which can carry 6A each easy enough, so a 3A system dumping 4A only needs to use one of the power fets.
Dumping 4A would be good with 3 of my power resistors, which 3 will dump about 4.2A total.

Here is the original story,
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/8/24/172521/889
Here are some much better photos of what to expect,
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/9/3/18347/60207
Here is how multiple fets and loads are connected,
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/ghurd1/Sketches/2fets8res.jpg
Here is a massive dump load with stuff from me,
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/ghurd1/Stray%20Pics/Front.jpg

Last, and least, here is my excuse for a website,
http://ghurd.info/

Yes and yes.  Everything is still available and I will send them anywhere.
G-

Ghurd.info



ghurd....charge controller advice please. (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by snake on Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 12:52:23 PM MST

can i replace the power fets by power resistors.i already have 10x25watts 0.1ohm per resistor which i have connected in series for a total resistance of 1ohm and a total wattage of 250 watts


ghurd.......charge controller advice please. (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by snake on Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 01:06:44 PM MST

ok,ok,forget the last question,i followed the instructions and the diagrams and understood it.thanks friends and specially ghurd for your help


Re: ghurd.......charge controller advice please. (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by ghurd on Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 02:45:25 PM MST

Hey Snake,
If you have one of my kits, don't be shy about emailing the tech support dept.
G-
Ghurd.info
[ Parent ]


ghurd.................charge controller advice please. | 5 comments (5 topical)
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· http://www .fieldlines.com/story/2004/9/20/0406/27488
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