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+---- Thread: Solar - Off Grid - charger controllers (/showthread.php?tid=434)
Solar - Off Grid - charger controllers - Marvin VE3VCG - 2021-04-09
This is an excellent short video on the basics of common inexpensive solar charge controllers. Solar panels or blankets in combination with lightweight LiFePo (Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are very popular methods of powering radios in the field. However making the right choice of gear is essential so, when it comes to solar power, information is key to success.
Getting into solar - off-grid operations can be relatively inexpensive, especially when using the Chinese made solar charge controllers. However, after a lot of investigation I decided to buy a Redarc charge controller in our truck, the Ruby Red Radio Ranger. This charger is made in Australia and designed for use by people that routinely take vehicles into the "outback".
Redarc chargers are made to be reliable and relatively fool proof. This is a good thing for operators like me who can occasionally lapse into extreme foolishness. A correctly installed Redarc charge controller protects the auxiliary (radio) battery as well as the vehicle battery and charging system. The fact that it auto recognizes the input charge source and voltage as well as the charge state of attached batteries simplifies operation and allows one to focus on operating not all the technical details of power supply.
If you already know about MPT and MPPT charge controllers, and are serious about off-grid operations, give the Redarc at look. There is considerable sticker shock if you want to buy one, but in my opinion the cost is worth it.
Here's the video link