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Date:         Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:59:37 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: me too (solar)
Comments: To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <1309304094.6350.33.camel@TheJackUbuntuNetbook>
Content-type: text/plain; CHARSET=US-ASCII

Yah, I could go to the trouble of putting yet another hole in the side of the van. I'd have to use a different orientation of the powerpole connectors to assure that you couldn't plug the wrong one in. It's far more likely that I won't have both along at the same time I only have so much roof space to carry stuff, and hence decisions need to be made as to the best energy for the given trip. I could also bring my Honda generator along (though some places don't allow generators.)

On Jun 28, 2011, at 7:34 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

> On Tue, 2011-06-28 at 18:34 -0400, David Beierl wrote: > >> I wouldn't be surprised if you could run the turbine >> right into the controller and not worry about switching >> (I also wouldn't be surprised if you could not...). > > Depends on the type of controller. An MPPT type controller ekes more > current out of solar panels than a less-expensive controller because the > MPPT controller will continually adjust the load it presents to the > panels to maximize panel efficiency (panels are typically more efficient > when running around 16 - 17 volts) while outputting lower voltage and > more current to the battery than the panels are putting out. I typically > see 4 or so amps going into the controller (at a higher voltage) and 5 > to 6 amps coming out. Watts in = watts out, but different > voltage/current levels. It's kind of an impedance-matching device. > > It pauses every couple seconds to adjust itself as needed to keep the > panels at their maximum output. > > This might cause a collision of worlds if a turbine is connected to this > type of controller. Two active circuits fighting each other. The > controller would be changing the load presented to the turbine, looking > for maximum power, but the turbine, trying to drive a battery but seeing > the load change, would continually adjust its output. > > Sounds like a fun science project, to see what would happen, but I leave > that as an exercise for the student. Safer to put in a switch. Depending > on how ugly this collision of two worlds might be, > > My guess is, that as a load, other controller types will also confuse > the wind turbine's electronics. They expect to see a battery load. > > I, myself, might be tempted to mount two sets of inputs: one for the > panels, one for the turbine, to avoid a chance that the turbine might > accidentally be connected to the charge controller. There should be no > problem connecting their outputs together. > > I mean, look: when you're camped out in the woods waiting for a zombie > infestation to burn itself out, the last thing you need is a smoked > charge controller or wind turbine. > > -- RJS


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