Strobl-Solar: questions about panels, wiring, and switching

[[email protected]]

Assuming current runs from panels to a charge controller to a battery switching mechanism (rotary switch?) to a selected battery.

Most "full monty" panels now draw +/- 2 amps/hour. Normal setups use 2 @ 7.5 watt panels. Considering time in sunlight is probably twice as long as "flight time" can a 2 panel rig (which generates less than one amp) normally keep you from charging?

Or, would you recommend a four panel rig generating 30 watts?

Is it usual to have a current flow off/on switch or does current flow to a battery at all times?

Is it usual to route all current to one battery at a time?

Where is the controller normally located?

Does anyone have the manufacture/model number of the factory rotary selector switch?

Thanks for your response.

[JS]

I have had Strobl 2-panel units on a couple of gliders.
Even using SLA batteries, with the glider tied down outside overnight between flights I could keep the batteries charged on a panel which had no VGA display.
Using LiFePO4 batteries the 2-panel system will keep the batteries charged. That panel was perhaps "full monty", having com, txp, vario, VGA, flarm.
Interestingly, leaving the ClearNav on and removing the batteries, in full sun the 2-panel Strobl rig would keep the CN running if on minimum brightness.
That glider had the Strobl charger on the avionics bus, so whatever battery was selected was being charged.
Strobl also sells a dual battery charger.
Jim

[Jim White[_3_]]

At 16:35 19 March 2014, JS wrote:
> I have had Strobl 2-panel units on a couple of gliders.
>Even using SLA batteries, with the glider tied down outside overnight
>between flights I could keep the batteries charged on a panel which had
no
>VGA display.
>Using LiFePO4 batteries the 2-panel system will keep the batteries
charged.
>That panel was perhaps "full monty", having com, txp, vario, VGA, flarm.
> Interestingly, leaving the ClearNav on and removing the batteries, in
>full sun the 2-panel Strobl rig would keep the CN running if on minimum
>brightness.
> That glider had the Strobl charger on the avionics bus, so whatever
>battery was selected was being charged.
> Strobl also sells a dual battery charger.
>Jim
>
Mine is two panel providing over 750ma in full sunlight. It connects
directly to both batteries using a two channel controller. I don't have a
switch, it seems to work it out for itself. Just works. Simples. Thorughly
recommend it.