PacketRadio Guide to building SOLAR Powered Nodes, Packet Radio and Amateur Radio stations, and Repeaters.

SOLAR POWER FOR PACKET RADIO STATIONS

[IMAGE]
One of 4 SOLAR panels at the K4ABT labs in Evington, Virginia.

CLICK ON THE SMALL DRAWING BELOW TO VIEW A MUCH LARGER SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM AT THE K4ABT QTH.

A = PhotoVoltaic (PV/SOLAR) panel(s) 90 Watts @ 15 Vdc
B = SOLAR panel disconnect. Contacts must be at least 2 times maximum charging current/amperes.
C = Model C30A Charge Controller" .
D = Battery Disconnect; Contacts must handle at least 20 amperes at charging voltage.
El = etc... Battery bank of 13.8 VDC deep cycle (VOLTEC/Dynasty), low maintenance batteries.
Parallel batteries El, E2, E3, etc. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN HANDLING BATTERIES!
F = LOAD DISCONNECT and FUSE or circuit breaker(s). Load circuits fused according to maximum load(s).
G = Single point, system (earth) ground.
NOTE: Use separate fused circuits for separate loads. DON'T GANG LOAD EACH CIRCUIT!

One of my Packet Radio nodes near Evington, Virginia. This node is all SOLAR powered. Because I use ''VOLTEX'' DYNASTY GelCells at the site... I only do maintenance on it once a year. ENOUGH SAID!

The ''heart'' of a SOLAR POWER Plant is the C30A Charge-Controller.

The flow diagram with all components of the SOLAR System at K4ABT.

The C30A, PV charge controller combines intelligent charge control with easy to understand battery status to provide maximum charge level and long battery life; The C30A includes spike and surge protection. The controller also features a LED charging indicator.

Convenient Wire Terminals are Set-screw type terminals mounted in back of controller enable installation of wires to be hidden from view.

For information about Automatic Charge-controllers, and a full line of SOLAR (PV) Panels, CONTACT:
New England SOLAR Electric Inc
3 S. Worthington Road
P.O. Box 435
Worthington, MA 01098

Telephone: (800) 914 4131 or FAX; (413) 238 0203
Tell Steve; you read about them at:
www.PacketRadio.com

The LB-20, 20 ampere DC circuit breaker.

[IMAGE]
One of the inverters that I use to convert 13.8 volts DC to 120 volts AC.

WebMaster, Buck Rogers K4ABT "Packet Radio Editor CQ Magazine."

© G. E. "Buck" Rogers Sr.
Back to the PacketRadio Networks Home Pages

Back to the AmateuRadio Home Pages