Solar charger damages batteies - what's good one?

[Eric Greenwell]

I've just discovered the Morningstar Sunsaver 6 charge controller I've
been using with my 20 watt panel is a two stage controller, and does not
have a "float" stage. This appears to have damaged my batteries more in
one year than several batteries I've used for 3 years or more, but were
charged with a good 3 stage AC charger.

Are there recommendations for a more suitable charge controller? When
charging, the controller is placed in the trailer, or in the gear well
if the glider is tied out, so the battery and controller temperatures
are the same.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[[email protected]]

>
> Are there recommendations for a more suitable charge controller? When
> charging, the controller is placed in the trailer, or in the gear well
> if the glider is tied out, so the battery and controller temperatures
> are the same.
>

Aren't the Morningstar Sunkeeper series 3-stage?

[Herb]

On Mar 25, 1:57 pm, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
> I've just discovered the Morningstar Sunsaver 6 charge controller I've
> been using with my 20 watt panel is a two stage controller, and does not
> have a "float" stage. This appears to have damaged my batteries more in
> one year than several batteries I've used for 3 years or more, but were
> charged with a good 3 stage AC charger.
>
> Are there recommendations for a more suitable charge controller? When
> charging, the controller is placed in the trailer, or in the gear well
> if the glider is tied out, so the battery and controller temperatures
> are the same.
>
> --
> Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
> * Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
>
> * Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
> * New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more
>
> * "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org

Eric,
I just bought this item on ebay for a 6 W solar panel that I will use
to tie together a trailer fan and a 5AH NiMH battery. It seems to
work great, keeping the battery charged but allowing the fan to run
day and night.

I tried to copy you the link from ebay but it wouldn't work. Here is
the search term:
Solar Panel Charge Regulator Controller 12V 5A 60W NEW

Herb, J7

[Eric Greenwell]

wrote:
>> Are there recommendations for a more suitable charge controller? When
>> charging, the controller is placed in the trailer, or in the gear well
>> if the glider is tied out, so the battery and controller temperatures
>> are the same.
>>
>
> Aren't the Morningstar Sunkeeper series 3-stage?

Yes, they are. I don't like the shape, so I'm leaning towards the
Steca-5-c with similar specs and $30 instead of $60. But, I'm still
looking for recommendations and warnings.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[Eric Greenwell]

Eric Greenwell wrote:

Oops, misspelled batteries, but I fixed it.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[[email protected]]

The Steca looks interesting. It's got float, leds and fuse holder to
boot. As long as its got a blocking diode then that looks a good one
to go with. Even if not, you can easily add one.

> Yes, they are. I don't like the shape, so I'm leaning towards the
> Steca-5-c with similar specs and $30 instead of $60. But, I'm still
> looking for recommendations and warnings.

[Eric Greenwell]

wrote:
> The Steca looks interesting. It's got float, leds and fuse holder to
> boot. As long as its got a blocking diode then that looks a good one
> to go with. Even if not, you can easily add one.

It does have a blocking diode. I've ordered the Steca-5-c, and will test
it for proper switching to float voltage before using it on the glider
batteries. I didn't notice that it had a fuse - nice touch.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org