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Forum Index : Electronics : wind and solar controller

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ArcticCat

Newbie

Joined: 16/07/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 6

Posted: 03:42am 24 Jul 2008

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Could you experts help this rookie out. I plan on building 6 solar panels roughly 70 watts each for a total around 420 wats. I also will be building a wind generator or two. I still havent decided on the style, other then it will be small, either using a ametek 30vdc motor or an alternator(wind blue system).

So, could you guys suggest a controller or two.

Ken

Gill

Senior Member

Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 04:35am 10 Aug 2008

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G'day Ken,
Considering the mix of both solar and wind I'd suggest a shunt regulator or a diversion controller as suitable.

I make my own so don't know what's available on the commercial market. Perhaps you could do a search yourself now knowing what specific type to look for.

In brief, a wind regulator will suit both solar and wind whereas a solar regulator will not suit wind.

The regulator must have a capacity greater than the combined max of all the inputs. This will be expressed in Amps. So solar is 420w / 12v = 35Amps + say 2 x wind generators @ 5Amps max each, totals 45 Amps minimum for the regulator.

Hope that helps.

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 09:19am 10 Aug 2008

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Hi Ken,

strictly speaking, what you require is a battery maintenance device. you can use a unit like a plasmatronics PL-?? to do this. As Gill has pointed out a combination of solar and wind can use a diversion load for battery voltage regulation.

A voltage controlled switch with a fixed voltage is not desirable for ensuring a long battery life.

Gordon.

become more energy aware

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