Possibly it is my own vanity?
Somehow I feel this is directed at me. Personally.
Possibly? Somehow? I am a butt-head for offering a circuit that "is expected to fill the obvious gap between NO controller and a complicated or expensive controller".
Possibly? Somehow? I am a butt-head for offering a circuit that cost LESS than it's parts cost? Certainly less than a decent factory made PCB costs? Probably less than SHIPPING the parts cost?
Possibly? Somehow? I am a butt-head for offering a circuit that "will not provide anything close to optimum battery lifetime".
Possibly? Somehow? I am a butt-head for offering a circuit that will "prevent long-term overcharge, which results in excessive water use and higher battery temperatures"?
Possibly? Somehow? The part about "the switching point would need to be set to an
appropriate float voltage for the battery type used" being user adjustable with the
blue thingy with the screw.
Some people will call it a pot, or maybe a rheostat, or even a `variable resistor'.
I did not intend to confuse anyone, so I apologize. I wrote the `Diary' for people new to this stuff.
Possibly? Somehow? The part about "I would have to question if charging at float voltage would result in complete recharge in most systems". Me too.
Possibly? Somehow? The part about "It depends on the load profile, battery capacity and source current capability as to whether the discharge/recharge cycle would allow complete recharge" would depend on the hysteresis?
Possibly? Somehow? The part about "would require a much longer charge time" means between 90% and 95% of the full charge? Maybe it comes from "to get that last few percent of capacity"?
Possibly? Somehow? "Everyone has their own ideas of what is best"? Really? Srtunning revollation. Somehow that turns into all the other BS?
Possibly? Somehow? A lot of people have a small windmill.
They may have $0 in the whole system?
They may want to not ruin the battery due to chronic undercharge? (Isn't that what you always say?)
Possibly? Somehow? A lot of people may not be worried about the last 1% of battery capacity?
Possibly? Somehow? A lot of people may only be worried about boiling their batteries dry?
Possibly? Somehow?
So somehow you "understand the attraction of an inexpensive, simple device to purportedly handle the two needs of control, I think it only does one adequately" though you missed the whole point...
""The circuit design was intended for the smaller systems.
It is expected to fill the obvious gap between NO controller and a complicated or expensive controller.
The major design parameters were proper function, versatility, simplicity, ease in understanding, trouble shooting, and obtaining parts. And low cost.""
I never said it was perfect.
I said "The circuit design was intended for the smaller systems.
It is expected to fill the obvious gap between NO controller and a complicated or expensive controller."
I told more than one person something else would be better for their system.
Please excuse the grammar and spelling. Etc. I am tired.
I spent my day installing a compete and working, and guaranteed to work, RE powered refrigerator. Again. Working with real RE systems, day after day, gets a bit boring.