Solar regulators
Submitted: Monday, Jan 19, 2009 at 20:33
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kwk56pt
i was looking at smart solar regulators like the Steca and Plasmatronics that give information as to the state of charge (SOC) of the battery. However as my intended solar set up will not support the load at all times the battery will be charged via the vehicle alternator when travelling and a honda powered 80 amp alternator to be used when stationary to put in a bulk charge and let the solar panel continue to charge.
So for most regulators used this way the SOC information is irrelevant as the regulator is unaware of inputs from other sources than solar. My understanding is only the plasmatronics with the addition of a shunt kit is capable of giving meaningful state of charge information in this application.
I have one 100 amp AGM battery and will probably buy another one. I intend to buy 2 x 65 amp panels and hinge them together so that they can be vehicle mounted or portable. This trip is camped for 4 weeks on the coast with 2 X 40 litre engels. So it seems I need the plasmatronics unit to do the job properly but as its not cheap I was wondering what others are doing or using and how they can tell the true state of the battery ?
Reply By: Rod - Monday, Jan 19, 2009 at 21:28
Monday, Jan 19, 2009 at 21:28
Slightly off topic I know....
Be careful to establish if your regulator is positively earthed if considering a vehicle based install. I managed to blow up several Stecca controllers by accidentally earthing them to the vehicle and solar panel at the same time, assuming they were all negatively earthed. Took me some time to establish what was going wrong.
When I looked into it, some models of Plasmatronics were also positively earthed.
There are both great units when used with care.
As to your question, I have always doubted the accuracy of the SoC and saw it as an interesting figure. I would measure terminal voltage after a few hours rest as an alternative.
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Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009 at 21:05
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009 at 21:05
We have two solar set ups both using the Plasmatroniccs PL20
Both set ups receive charge from the solar panels and / or the vehicles alternator......both also monitor the charge from sources other than the sloar panels via a shunt in the negative.
I have found the system works very
well and is an accurate indication or SOC
secondly should you require any advice Plasmatronics have an excellent website with down loads and an excellent response over the phone if need be.
yes I am one very happy user
cheers
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