Re: Request comments on simple solar charger



> assuming you are right about your project using 1A only 5 minutes a day.

Ah! Now I understand where you're coming from - but I guess you missed
the part where I said:

>>During the night, the device runs various lights, and motors and other
>>actuators, not on a 100% duty cycle by any means. A 5Ah battery, fully
>>charged, could handle the required tasks - so I speced in 7Ah.

So the device does more than just run that 1A motor and do the comms
session.

> panels, you'll need 36 * 51 = 12.75 sq feet of panels! Also, you can't
> even charge your battery at more than 2.1A, so why do you need 6A?

This is part of why I was asking the question in here - the cells are
speced under ideal solar conditions, so I don't know how far to derate
them for real life. Considering the cost of the device, adding another
$300 to $600 in solar cells is money well spent if it significantly
improves the chance that the device will last for its intended
lifetime.

Thanks for your comments - I'm back to the drawing board.

.



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