two solar regulators @ ExplorOz

AnswerID: 282918 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 16:37

Member -Dodger replied:

You need to bypass one regulator and connect this one to the regulator on the other otherwise one will sense the other and shut themselves down so to speak.

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AnswerID: 282941 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 18:16

Member - Mike DID replied:

It really depends on the design of the regulators.

If the regulator is designed to handle more than 10 amps, then connect the two solar panels in parallel to the input.

Mike R

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AnswerID: 282946 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 18:25

Mainey (wa) replied:

As said above use only one (1) regulator.

What brand or type of regulators are they ??

as one would probably be more efficient than the other.
(surely they are not identical ?? )
Mainey...

one of two x 12v 100+ Amp Hour AGM battery

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FollowupID: 547482 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 18:30

da76 posted:

Hi. Thanks for all the feedback. Don't know the type as yet as they have not arrived. They come standard with the regulators and each set (folding panels) has one regulator so I assume they will be identical.

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FollowupID: 547503 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 18:59

Mainey (wa) posted:

You say-> ""Don't know the type as yet as they have not ARRIVED. They come standard with the regulator"S" and each set (folding panels) has one regulator so I assume "THEY" will be identical""

Is there (2) or (1) regulator ??

There may be two (or more) Solar panels, but definately only ONE Solar Regulator is used, it's only a rip off if you get two regs, and hope it's not a basic 'on/off' regulator, it will be a pain to main battery performance.
Mainey...

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FollowupID: 547506 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:01

da76 posted:

Sorry I should have been clearer . I have bought two separate 80W units each set has two panels and one regulator.

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FollowupID: 547513 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:20

Mainey (wa) posted:

da76,
then you have paid for one regulator you won't use.

The salesman would have known this IF they know anything about Solar power, or maybe he just wanted your money.

You can buy 'suitcase' systems with-out the reg.
Mainey...

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AnswerID: 282952 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 18:49

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

Hi da

What make are the bi-folds ?

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FollowupID: 547505 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:00

da76 posted:

Hi They are the 80w Suntech STA-FDM-80.

Cheers

David

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FollowupID: 547510 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:05

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators posted:

I think they use the 5A projecta regulator so you won't be able to connect the 2 panels into one.

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AnswerID: 282955 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 18:54

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

It may pay to bypass both the regulators with a simple switch fitted to the back of each panel and then use a decent regulator mounted to your vehicle that shows amps / voltage etc.

Regards

Derek.

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FollowupID: 547507 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:02

Mainey (wa) posted:

For some reason I believe these Steca's are the best regs available, but I'm sure others have their opinions too
Mainey...

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FollowupID: 547509 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:04

da76 posted:

I was thinking the same thing but I have a amp meter in the car that already reads amps volts etc.

Cheers

David

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FollowupID: 547534 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:14

da76 posted:

Thanks for all the info. Looks like i will disconnect the controllers on each panel (ebay here I come) and wire in a new one at the vehicle. Any suggestions on the best product would be appreciated.

I was going to use the one andersons plug that goes directly to my AGM battery to bring in the solar power. if I do this will the solar controller then conflict with the one on the caravan which I would have been connecting to the vehicle through the same andersons plug when the panels are not connected? Thinking it through it may be best for me to have the controller fixed at the panels. Again any suggestion on product would be appreciated.

Cheers

David

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FollowupID: 547538 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:27

Mainey (wa) posted:

""Any suggestions on the best product would be appreciated""

Steca......... look at the picture above

The "amp meter in the car that already reads amps volts etc. " does NOT read the Amps/Voltage delivered from the Solar Panels to the battery..
Fix the (regulator) controller near the BATTERY not the panel!

The rest is too confusing for me sorry, do you have a second solar reg (controller) in the van??
where is the solar panel for this??
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FollowupID: 547546 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:36

da76 posted:

Hi Mainey. Yes the van has two 120w panels on the van roof and solar regulator in the van (I didnt set up the van but I assume that regulator is between the caravan panels and the batteries in the van) so after thinking about it, any power coming from the vans panels into the vehicle shouldn't conflict with the controller at the vehicle battery. Sorry to confuse the issue.

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FollowupID: 547550 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:38

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators posted:

Perhaps you would be best off with a in-line regulator.

Use a resin sealed unit like the SK-12 on your charge cable. You could even use Anderson plugs and make it removable so you can still use the supplied regulators if the panels are used one at a time.

Regards

Derek.

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FollowupID: 547554 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:41

da76 posted:

Exactly what I am after! Fantastic, thanks for your help.

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FollowupID: 547555 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:47

Mainey (wa) posted:

da76,
what's so "fantastic" about the SK-12 ???

does it have any of the major benefits of the Steca Reg Derek has posted much higher above (nope)

You don't want it !!!

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FollowupID: 548114 Submitted: Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 08:31

Mainey (wa) posted:

da76

Relevant charging information is stated on ABR, Morningstar & Steca websites!
ABR (Steca & SK-12 comparison)

Morningstar SK-12 tech specs

Steca tech specs

SK-12 regulator:

*Float Voltage - 13.7 Volts
*Regulation Voltage - 14.1 Volts
Type of Charging Series PWM 3 stage: being bulk, PWM and float.

Umm,
that looks like only 2 stage regulator to me
PWM does NOT put any charge into the battery, just advertorial blurb or bulsh1t
Remember this regulator is attached to the 'junction box' (as in picture) under the Solar panel, it "regulates" the Amperage there at the solar panel, and forwards it to the battery, this gives further loss at the battery, causing further charging inefficiency.

STECA regulator:

*FLOAT Voltage - 13.8 Volt
*BOOST Charge Voltage - 14.4 Volt
*EQUALIZATION Voltage - 14.7 Volt

Genuine 3 stage charging, and it can be clearly seen the Voltages available are much higher with the Steca regulator and being Voltage adjustable it's suitable for both wetcell & Gel batteries.
A well engineered piece of equipment, used by BP Solar as their premier regulator.

Mainey...

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AnswerID: 282963 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:33

Member - Mike DID replied:

It's a real worry when a solar supplier can't even understand basic electrical units.

From the Suntech website for the 80 watt kit -
"Almost 5amps per hour back into your battery"

Mike R

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FollowupID: 547551 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:38

Mainey (wa) posted:

Umm,
maybe . . . . . . yeah, ok it's a real worry, maybe he's too busy LoL
Mainey...

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AnswerID: 283011 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 21:19

Mainey (wa) replied:

da 76,
so you now say you have a solar system and a battery now in the van, are you going to set-up a totally new and different power system or add to the existing system ??
Mainey...

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FollowupID: 547567 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 21:22

da76 posted:

Hi again Mainey. It is a completely separate system which we will use when remote camping without the caravan. The inline solution works well as it gives me the most flexibility.

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FollowupID: 547571 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 21:29

Mainey (wa) posted:

Does it have PWM, low voltage cutout, 3 x stage charging, LCD screen to let you know the Amps going into and out of the battery, this is very handy to let you change the position of the panels to get the most performance available, because the numbers are on the screen.
The Regulator MUST be put near the battery and not the panels, so being 'flexable' is not too relevant as it is not out in the sun or moved with the panels.

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FollowupID: 547575 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 21:34

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators posted:

SK12

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FollowupID: 547581 Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 21:46

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators posted:

Just a quick link for those that don't know what PWM does.

What is PWM ?

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AnswerID: 283150 Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 at 16:26

Mainey (wa) replied:

da76,
Why not simply just ask Derek which regulator he would actually recommend for your Solar system, the 'STECA' or the 'SK-12'

He sells both products, so he's not going to loose a sale :-))

I've never installed an SK-12 so I can't coment, but the Steca (lost count) Just ask anyone using them if they would change to anything else, just about guarantee the answer is - no way!!

Originally Derek did recommend the (~$185) Steca-> ""use a decent regulator mounted to your vehicle that shows amps/voltage etc""
he then recommended the cheaper SK-12 panel mounted reg, however your system information had not changed ?

Remember, for best performance, as Derek has said you MUST mount the Solar Regulator at or near the battery, not at the far end of the extension cable at the Suitcase Solar panels.

With a Steca you get to see what Amps are going into & also out of your battery, so you know where to position the Solar panels, and you always know the State of Charge of your battery system, with the cheaper SK-12 you don't have those options.

PWM is a complex system, just because it says it has it, does not mean it's the same % as other brands.

The Steca Features
*BOOST charge (~15+ amp)
*EQUALIZING charge
*FLOAT charge
*Built-in Amp Hour counter
*Automatic load re-connection
*Manual load/un-load switch
*PWM shunt battery charging
*State of Charge battery regulation
*Temperature compensation
*Adjustable settings by two buttons
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