Potential Power
Control Panel
Here is my first attempt to make
a control panel for my solar panel.
I decided to use the solar energy
to fill rechargeable batteries. It is inefficient, I know, but it is convenient.
With the AA batteries I can run any kind of device in the house when the electricity
goes out (Hurricanes).
This way, I don't have to run cables all through the house.
The control
panel is slowly growing.
The left side is for Solar, the right side will be for the Wind Turbine
The latest addition is a Bridge rectifier.
With a heat sink on the front side.
Meters will have to be added.
Now I would like to create my own
controller.
G. Hurd makes a nice electronics kit for this. You can order it at www.GHurd.info.
I ordered two of them. One that will
turn the power on when the battery is sufficiently charged.
And one will turn on a dump-load when the battery is completely full.
Here are some quick images of the
charge controller circuit. The soldering is done, but it does not function
properly yet.
With the infinite patience of Mr. Hurd, the problem got resolved. Thank you very much.
When both circuits were functioning
properly, I put them in a small case and added it to the rest of the panel.
Yeah, I know. It is a mess. Wires everywhere.
Allright, here is a cleaned up version.
I'm still waiting for a volt meter that will fit the new panel.