+++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 11:07:39 -0400 From: Tom Mc Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar panels > I would like to be able to run my K1 and K2 off of reasonably portable > solar panels (by that I mean something small enough to put in a car or > carry under one arm). Tim, Look here... http://www.alfenterprises.com/UnisolarFlex.html You can roll them into a half circle, they are weather proof and the smaller one can be velcro'ed to the back of a pack to recharge a small battery (pack) while hiking! best Tom aa2vk - -- ******************************************** * Member of NORCAL, NJQRP, LIQRP, SGCI * * K2 #1213 * * LIQRP Web Page: www.erols.com/tjmc/liqrp * * Personal web page : www.erols.com/tjmc * ******************************************** ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 09:15:30 -0700 From: Jay Hanawalt Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar panels If you are frugal, as I am, these folks have good prices on Unisolar panels. I have purchased stuff from them before and have had no problems. https://www.internetservices.com/secure/solarelectricinc/ - -Jay WB6SZE, returning to CW after 34 years soon as I order (and build) my K1 next week ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 10:04:11 -0700 From: nr1ss Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar panels > Tom Mc wrote: > > > > > I would like to be able to run my K1 and K2 off of reasonably portable > > > solar panels (by that I mean something small enough to put in a car or > > > carry under one arm). > > I use Siemens SM-6 panels and gel-cells w/ my K2. You may be able to go "straight solar" w/ a K1. There are several sizes, power, and price ranges. Here's the URL: http://www.siemenssolar.com/ Siemens has the ST line of panels but the power:size ratio is lower than the SM line. There are distributers on the web. Also, consider a blocking diode / regulator combination. I use the 12/4 from ACS of Chatsworth, CA. David nr1ss (no $ interest...) +++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 10:31:44 -0700 From: "John Clifford" Subject: [Elecraft] Solar panels I've used a 5w Solarex panel to charge an external 7aH gel cell that was in turn connected to the K2's power input jack (and the internal 2.9aH battery). Since the K2 draws less than 250mA during receive, and the panel puts out approx 400mA, I never came close to running out of power on my rear deck during an afternoon of mostly listening and some sending. I wasn't worried about overcharging the battery, either. I think that if the K2 was kept to less than 5 watts and run during sunshine, a 5w solar panel could keep it charged indefinitely in the field. Re charge controllers, there is an article on the Micro M+ charge controller in the Oct '01 QST. However, seems to me that if you were running just a K2 off of a battery and using this charge controller at the same time, you would overcharge your battery and shorten its life. Why couldn't the pulse charger from the May QST (that was developed for the K2 and similar setups) be used, with an input jack added to allow for switching between solar power and the wall jack? That is my plan (to order one of the pulse charger kits, and adapt it so I can use solar power or wall power). - jgc John Clifford KD7KGX Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9 Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2 ...waiting for KPA2 & KAF2! Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1 email: kd7kgx at arrl.net ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 15:17:23 -0400 From: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar panels The purpose of the Micro-M+ is to prevent overcharging of the SLA battery. It works in exactly the same way that the pulse charger does except that it depends on you to provide a solar panel that is not capable of supplying more than the maximum bulk charge rate for the battery (rather than using a current limiter circuit). The pulse charger would not be very efficient for solar panel use because of the power disipated in the current limiter. You would be carrying a larger solar panel to generate more power that would in turn be disipated as heat in the regulator. I highly recommend the Micro-M+ for use with a solar panel for the K2. It can even be fit inside the cover of the K2 next to the battery. For charging the K2 battery make sure that the solar panel is rated at 600 mA or less and make sure you provide a separate charging connection direct to the battery (not thru the K2 power plug). By the way, circuit boards for the pulse charger are currently only available from FAR Circuits. +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Mike McCoy" To: Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 08:32:13 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] (Solar) charging the K2 battery I came across a deal on a solar panel I couldn't resist. It's the Uni-Pac 15 and according to the tech sheet it puts out 17.6v. 15.8w (max). Pretty cool panel. See it here: http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Uni-solar_Portable_Solar_Electric_Panels.ht ml -- snip -- Thanks & 73 Mike - AD5IU ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (Solar) charging the K2 battery Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 10:57:30 -0500 Hi I checked out the site below. You may want to look elsewhere the 15 watt = panel is 585 British pounds that's about $850 and you still have shipping= and maybe import duty. You may want to look at Solarex or ICP. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: Mike McCoy Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 8:36 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] (Solar) charging the K2 battery I came across a deal on a solar panel I couldn't resist. It's the Uni-Pac= 15 and according to the tech sheet it puts out 17.6v. 15.8w (max). Pretty c= ool panel. See it here: http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Uni-solar_Portable_Solar_Electric_Panels= .html ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Mike" To: Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 21:00:28 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Folding Solar Panel I found a neat solar panel on the internet and received mine last Saturday. The panel is 12X18 inches when folded, teflon connectors and supply cord supplied with the panel. The output of the panel is 18 volts.700mA. I plan to use the panel with the Sunlight Energy Systems at Micro M+ controller that was featured in an article in the October 2001 issue of QST. SES can be found at http://www.seslogic.com/ I bought the panel from Connecticut Solar LLC. They also offer a charge controller. Since the battery and the solar panel don't care you can use Don's controller, the SES Logic controller or the one offered by Connecticut Solar. As with many things the choice is yours. You can find the information about this solar panel at..... http://www.ctsolar.com/WFoldingSolarPanel.htm Check it out, it may be what a lot of QRP ops are looking for. Should be a great addition to operating in the field. Mike - KC8WR +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: , "Elecraft" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar power source Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 11:41:52 -0500 Hi As you may know I make a solar charge controller kit. It is very simple b= ut does the job quite well. I have used it on two 35 watt panels made by = Solarex. These panels are commercial quality and designed to be used in h= arsh environments. This size is used to power the flashing warning lamps = used at school zones and fire stations. Two of these panels with my contr= oller were used at field day this year and powered a K2/100 at 100 watts = continuously all day and with the 35 amp hour gel cell up to about 11 PM = when I switched to the AC power. The battery was not run down but I didn'= t want to push it to far. The battery was back fully charged about 8 AM t= he next day from the panels. This is probably more than you would want to= operate so I think you could get by with one 30-40 watt panel and a 35 t= o 50 amp hour gel cell or lead acid deep discharge battery. I like the So= lerex panels because they use rectangular cells so there is no wasted spa= ce like with round cells and they have a heavy duty aluminum frame with a= water tight connection box. My controller kit is $30 and takes about 1 h= our to build will handle from 5 watts up a 200 watt panel. The controller= is fully automatic and does not generate any RF noise. It will keep the = battery at 13.8 volts as long as the panel is supplying more power than t= he load. The controller could be mounted in the ORP K2 to keep the intern= al battery charged with a 5 to 10 watt panel. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: BobDobson at aol.com Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 10:26 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Solar power source Although this is not a K1/K2 post strictly speaking, I thought I'd ask for advice here, as it is nonetheless a related topic. I'm considering constructing a 12 V DC solar-based power solution that can run a 100 watt radio (K2/100 maybe?) on an intermittent basis. I'm seeing a LOT of information on the web regarding choice of panels, charge regulators, and batteries. Now to my question(s): For the larger solar panels (50- 120 watt), which vendor appears to be the best choice? I'm leaning towards Siemens, but before I plunk down my hard-earned beans, I'd like to get some input. Also, the AGM-type batteries look like a good choice. Any advice, ladies and gents? 73, Bob WA4FOM +++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 2002 10:57:11 -0700 (MST) From: Gary Hembree Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Solar power source To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net I've used a Solarex 64 watt panel for a few months now with a Sears form 27M deep cycle battery to run my K2's and VHF gear intermittently. I tested my K2/100 with the battery as a power source and got 100 watts out without difficulty. I now keep the battery charged for emergency use. My friend Dave, AI7R (the screen saver author), has been using Solarex panels for years with no failures. One of their better features is that they are shadow tolerant. This means that if one part of the panel is in shade the charge controller doesn't shut down (due to decreasing output voltage), the output current just falls off. As a previous reply noted the Solarex panels are built to withstand a lot of abuse. Other manufacturers probably offer similar features. Shop around. 73 Gary, N7IR DM43bi ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Charlie Hicks" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Solar power source Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 13:07:39 -0500 I can vouch for Solarex panels as well. I think others including Siemens, Kyocera, etc. are built well, too. I have two 53 W Solarex panels I use for misc things like keeping 12V deep-cycle batteries charged for backup power for my rigs, etc. I also take them on scouting outings to provide temporary power for radios, etc. Similar to field day setups using lead-acid batteries. I use a simple 12V charge controller for that. I also have four 120W panels up charging a 24V system with Trace inverters, etc. that I use to power all my deep well pumping, some of the house, etc. All 6 panels have been in use for 3 years through 100+ heat, well below zero cold, hail, etc. No problems so far. Charlie ----------------------------------- Charlie Hicks Amateur Radio: KOCKH ++++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "John Clifford" To: Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:32:20 -0800 Subject: [Elecraft] RE: Solar Panels I've found that a 10w solar panel will keep up with a K2 with the internal battery OR an external gel cell IF you run the radio during the day with the panel attached. A 10w solar panel will also completely recharge the K2's internal battery and replace what you pull out of it if you run all night and recharge the next day. A 20w panel will have no problem keeping the K2 charged indefinitely, and if you want to run 24 hours a day it will still keep the K2 and external battery charged indefinitely as long as you get enough sunshine. My K2 with pretty much all of the options draws about 280 mA during receive (OPT PERF). Transmit at 5w is about 2.6 A. Given that I listen for interesting CQs mostly and reply to them, I spend about 50% of the time in a QSO and about 50% of that time transmitting, and CW is basically a 50% duty cycle mode. So... that means my average current usage is about 570 mA while the radio is on. A quick back-of-the-envelope check says that my 2.9 AH internal battery should last about 5.5 hours with this kind of current draw, and this is verified by my experience (actually, a little less time). You can determine how much juice you need to get from a solar panel by computing your average current usage times the hours you will be operating, and then determining how much current you can get from a solar panel times the hours the sun shines (6 hours is a good standard -- even though the sun shines more than that, unless you are physically moving the panel so that it is perpendicular with the sun's rays the middle six hours of the day is when your charging is going to happen). Most nominal 12v panels actually produce about 17v of current under load. A 5w panel gives you about 290 mA, which will keep up with your K2 in receive mode, or if you use your K2 at night for a couple of hours this will top it off the next day. A 10w panel gives you 580 mA, which will keep your K2's battery fully charged if you run it using this panel during the day, or it will completely recharge a drained internal battery if you don't operate. The 20w panel is the way to go if you want to use your radio every day and not have to worry about the battery running down. You can use a charge controller (I use the Micro M+ from SES Logic, http://www.seslogic.com/microm%2B.html) hooked up to your solar panel and tied in parallel to your batteries, and you can charge up a 7 AH external gel cell and the internal battery while operating during the day... so you have a battery that will last you all night. I've built a 15 AH battery pack by putting two 7 AH gel cells inside a .30 caliber ammo can with retaining brackets, and a flat panel with a dual Powerpole jack. Each battery is wired to a separate jack, and I have a 2-to-1 combiner so I can run both batteries in parallel if I want, or I can just plug into each one separately. (I've toyed with the idea of using one of these ammo cans as the enclosure for the K2 also... with the lid on they're waterproof and I'd set it up with all of the jacks accessible from the front.) This battery pack, and a 20w panel or 1A power supply along with the charge controller, will power my K2 pretty much indefinitely. Re solar panels, I like the BP Solarex MSX series, because they are fairly compact for the power you get, and they are extremely rugged (the cells are mounted on an aluminum plate and epoxy covered). SES Logic has good prices for these as well, and the owner Mike Bryce is a fellow ham. I have no connection with this company besides being a satisfied customer. Hope this helps, - jgc John Clifford KD7KGX Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9 Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2/KPA100 Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1 email: kd7kgx at arrl.net +++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Wayne Burdick" , "Elecraft" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1: most countries worked? solar panel recommendations? Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 16:59:19 -0600 Hi Wayne A panel in the 3 to 5 watt range would be ideal to charge the internal battery pack on the K1. I have several 3.5 watt panels made for Volkswagen to keep the battery charged while in storage or shipment. These were on ebay a while back. At 170 ma they are perfect to charge a 1700-1800 ma NiMH battery pack and a controller is not required because solar panels are constant current sources and that is the ideal way to charge NiMH or NiCad batteries. There is a 5 watt panel sold by Northern Tool and Harbor Freight and made by ICP. Northern tool P/N 3396 or a nice folding panel P/N 334319. I have the 5 watt panel and it works well and is rugged. I use it with one of my controllers and gel cell battery. I could experiment with the panel on a K1 internal battery pack if you like. I have just acquired a 85 watt panel to add to the two 35 watt panels along with a 100 amp hour gel cell battery to power my K2/100 for field day. We may have an all K2 field day this year 4 K2/100's if all goes well. Two or three of them will be solar powered as W5EI will bring his 85 watt panel and battery also. Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++++++ From: Kevin Rock To: Elecraft , Wayne Burdick Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:06:10 -0800 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1: most countries worked? solar panel recommendations? I use one from United Solar Systems Corporation. It's a Uni Solar model USF-11. It runs 11 watts and I normally use it to recharge my gel cells while out in the boonies. It's flexible and can hang from my pack and recharge the batteries while I'm hiking. Kevin. KD5ONS ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Hagood, Larry" To: "'wayne at elecraft.com'" , "'elecraft at mailman.qth.net'" Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 21:14:10 -0800 Subject: [Elecraft] re: solar power http://www.ctsolar.com/ExpeditionFoldingPanels.htm Larry AE6CP ++++++++++++++++++++