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Laurie
Guest
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 Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 12:10 am Post subject:
high current voltage regulator |
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I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries. When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter I am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
I would like to know if there is a single package voltage regulator that
will handle 10-15 amps.
If not, can someone recommend a circuit?
Laurie
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Laurie
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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"mike" <spamme0@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:42587A63.4050504@netscape.net...
| Quote: | Are you sure you want to cook the batteries at 16.5V?
The manufacturer recommends 16.3 v for several hours, I just pulled the |
16.5 out of my tortured memory.
| Quote: | The whole purpose of the charger is to PREVENT overcharging.
No "charger". |
| Quote: | If you insist, wouldn't it be easier to just fix the inverter?
It came that way, I assumed it was some sort of 'protection', not a |
manufacturing flaw.
| Quote: | Once built a current dump load using a PWM, some big resistors and PIC.
Irrelevant, the point was to regulate the -voltage- across the inverter, |
while simultaneously topping off the batteries.
| Quote: | You'll probably get better info on one of the alternative energy groups.
Since this is "components" and the regulator is one, I foolishly |
assumed...
Laurie |
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Watson A.Name - \"Watt Su
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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"Laurie" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:425868dc$1_5@alt.athenanews.com...
| Quote: | I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries.
When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter
I am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
I would like to know if there is a single package voltage
regulator that
will handle 10-15 amps.
If not, can someone recommend a circuit?
Laurie
|
You can buy a 25A bridge reectifier for under $3.00. When you short the
+ and- leads, the ~ leads will drop at least 1.2V, more as the current
goes up. The polarity doesn't matter, of course. Or you could use 1 or
2 rectifiers in series, each dropping about .8V depending on current.
butthey're probably more expensive than the bridge. A 1N1188A 35 amp
stud mount is aboutthe same prices as the bridge, but you need two of
them.
For some odd reason the bridge rectifiers are priced oddly compared to
the rectifiers. 1A, 3A and 6A rectifiers are $.04, $.12 and $.22
apiece. Those prices hover around a nickel an amp. But the prices for
bridges hover around a quarter an amp, and don't drop as quickly at
higher currents.
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mike
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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Laurie wrote:
| Quote: | I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries. When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter I am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
I would like to know if there is a single package voltage regulator that
will handle 10-15 amps.
If not, can someone recommend a circuit?
Laurie
|
Are you sure you want to cook the batteries at 16.5V? How much extra
usable capacity do you get? The whole purpose of the charger is to
PREVENT overcharging.
If you insist, wouldn't it be easier to just fix the inverter?
Once built a current dump load using a PWM, some big resistors and PIC.
Avoids all those nasty voltage drops in series with the solar panels.
You'll probably get better info on one of the alternative energy groups.
mike
--
Return address is VALID but some sites block emails
with links. Delete this sig when replying.
..
Wanted, PCMCIA SCSI Card for HP m820 CDRW.
FS 500MHz Tek DSOscilloscope TDS540 Make Offer
Wanted, 12.1" LCD for Gateway Solo 5300. Samsung LT121SU-121
Wanted 12" LCD for Compaq Armada 7770MT.
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
MAKE THE OBVIOUS CHANGES TO THE LINK
ht<removethis>tp://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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"Watson A.Name - \"Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\""
<NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:
| Quote: | For some odd reason the bridge rectifiers are priced oddly compared to
the rectifiers.
|
Could that be due to the fact that the bridge is (nearly always) going
to be used at a 50% duty cycle, while discrete diodes might be used at
100%? [And there's probably some packaging savings...] |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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Laurie wrote:
| Quote: | I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries. When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter I am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
I would like to know if there is a single package voltage regulator that
will handle 10-15 amps.
If not, can someone recommend a circuit?
I think you want to look for a solar charge controller, rather than a |
voltage regulator. It's a simple matter to make a regulator
with an LM317 and pass transistors, similar to this:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/page12.htm
(The circuit shown woud have to be modified for your use)
The problem is that your energy source is solar, and the panels
may not (probably do not) produce enough voltage for that
kind of circuit.
For a solar charge controller, you really want an inverter
style supply, which can produce the required charging
voltage even when the panels can provide a voltage
well below that.
Finally, and *most* important: you need to know the
charging requirements of the batteries if you are going
to make a regulator to charge them. "Around 14 volts"
sounds more "right" than "several hours at 16.3 volts" ,
but neither one instills a lot of confidence. I believe -
but do not know for sure - that in solar systems a periodic
overcharge (called an equalization charge) is sometimes
recommended. That should certainly not be done on
a regular basis. 16.3 is an overcharge - perhaps it is
that equalization charge I've heard about.
Ed
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mc
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:25 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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"mike" <spamme0@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:42587A63.4050504@netscape.net...
| Quote: | Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries. When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter I
am using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
|
Shutting down at 14.1 volts is correct for 12-volt lead-acid batteries. I
wouldn't change it. |
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mc
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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"mc" <mc_no_spam@uga.edu> wrote in message
news:4258a4ce@mustang.speedfactory.net...
| Quote: |
"mike" <spamme0@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:42587A63.4050504@netscape.net...
Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries.
When reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the
inverter I am using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
Shutting down at 14.1 volts is correct for 12-volt lead-acid batteries. I
wouldn't change it.
|
I think I misunderstood the question. A charger should shut down (reduce
its current to a trickle) when the battery reaches 14.1 volts. Or are you
saying that an inverter (that takes the battery's output to higher-voltage
AC) is shutting down when its input is over 14 volts? |
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EN
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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"mike" <spamme0@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:42587A63.4050504@netscape.net...
| Quote: | Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries.
When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter I
am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
I would like to know if there is a single package voltage regulator
that
will handle 10-15 amps.
If not, can someone recommend a circuit?
Laurie
|
You can use 2 higher rated diodes, or you can use a bridge rectifier that
has 4 diodes in the package.
ebay , BRIDGE RECTIFIER 25 AMPS NEW OLD STOCK , $1.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73142&item=7505683415&rd=1 |
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EN
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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<ehsjr@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message
news:Ft26e.3783$ff4.1779@trndny08...
| Quote: | Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries. When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the inverter I
am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
.... snip .. |
| Quote: | Finally, and *most* important: you need to know the
charging requirements of the batteries if you are going
to make a regulator to charge them. "Around 14 volts"
sounds more "right" than "several hours at 16.3 volts" ,
but neither one instills a lot of confidence. I believe -
but do not know for sure - that in solar systems a periodic
overcharge (called an equalization charge) is sometimes
recommended. That should certainly not be done on
a regular basis. 16.3 is an overcharge - perhaps it is
that equalization charge I've heard about.
Ed
|
If I recall.. an equalization charge has to do with UPS systems.
Uninterupable Power Supply with alot of 2V batteries, or cells.
Some cells will be lower in votage and some maybe higher.
1.95 ... 2.00 ... 2.3 ... 2.01 ... 2.00
You apply a charging voltage of 2.25 volts to all the cells.
The charging voltage is the equalization charge voltage.
You are bringing all low cells up in voltage and the hi cells down,
till all the cells are at a certain voltage, fro the whole UPS system.
I'm sure of the 2.25 volts, maybe I'm wrong on this, just some
number in my head rite now. |
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EN
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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| Quote: | ehsjr@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message
news:Ft26e.3783$ff4.1779@trndny08...
Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries.
When reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5,
but the inverter I'm using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
... snip ..
Finally, and *most* important: you need to know the
charging requirements of the batteries if you are going
to make a regulator to charge them. "Around 14 volts"
sounds more "right" than "several hours at 16.3 volts" ,
but neither one instills a lot of confidence. I believe -
but do not know for sure - that in solar systems a periodic
overcharge (called an equalization charge) is sometimes
recommended. That should certainly not be done on
a regular basis. 16.3 is an overcharge - perhaps it is
that equalization charge I've heard about.
Ed
|
The battery faq is, http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/
CAR AND DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 5.2 ,
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq.htm
Battery Tutorial , http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
It looks like the 14 volts is what's suppose to be there.
If you over charge a battery with more than 14 volts, you might risk
damaging the battery. Aren't deep cycle batteries expensive?
Ed |
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EN
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
|
|
"Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun, the Dark Remover"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote
in message news:115ih7s52292af6@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: |
"EN" <res808c4@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:_J36e.3338$go4.717@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
ehsjr@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message
news:Ft26e.3783$ff4.1779@trndny08...
Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries.
When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the
inverter I
am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
... snip ..
Finally, and *most* important: you need to know the
charging requirements of the batteries if you are going
to make a regulator to charge them. "Around 14 volts"
sounds more "right" than "several hours at 16.3 volts" ,
but neither one instills a lot of confidence. I believe -
but do not know for sure - that in solar systems a periodic
overcharge (called an equalization charge) is sometimes
recommended. That should certainly not be done on
a regular basis. 16.3 is an overcharge - perhaps it is
that equalization charge I've heard about.
Ed
If I recall.. an equalization charge has to do with UPS systems.
Uninterupable Power Supply with alot of 2V batteries, or cells.
Some cells will be lower in votage and some maybe higher.
1.95 ... 2.00 ... 2.3 ... 2.01 ... 2.00
You apply a charging voltage of 2.25 volts to all the cells. B
The charging voltage is the equalization charge voltage.
You are bringing all low cells up in voltage and the hi cells down,
till all the cells are at a certain voltage, fro the whole UPS system.
I'm sure of the 2.25 volts, maybe I'm wrong on this, just some
number in my head rite now.
The 2.25V is the float charge voltage; eq V is a bit more, like 2.3 or
so. But most UPSes don't have parallel batteries, they are in series.
So enough current is run thru them all to give the eq v across each,
which means that the cells with higher V are also overcharged.
|
"> But most UPSes don't have parallel batteries, they are in series."
I had to look , so series / parallel UPS , google has 190,000 hits
http://www.aelgroup.co.uk/hb/hb730.htm
Alpha UPS units use both series and parallel combinations...
http://206.131.241.58/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002710
"Connecting your Batteries in Series or Parallel"
http://www.zbattery.com/zbattery/seriesparallel.html
Series-Parallel Connection with a 12 Volt 1 Amp BatteryMINDer
http://www.batteryweb.com/batteryminder-multiple-batteries.cfm
+186,000 web links to go for Series/Parallel configurations.
Seems there's more ways to skin a cat. |
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Watson A.Name - \"Watt Su
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
|
|
"EN" <res808c4@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:_J36e.3338$go4.717@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
| Quote: |
ehsjr@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message
news:Ft26e.3783$ff4.1779@trndny08...
Laurie wrote:
I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries.
When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5, but the
inverter I
am
using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
... snip ..
Finally, and *most* important: you need to know the
charging requirements of the batteries if you are going
to make a regulator to charge them. "Around 14 volts"
sounds more "right" than "several hours at 16.3 volts" ,
but neither one instills a lot of confidence. I believe -
but do not know for sure - that in solar systems a periodic
overcharge (called an equalization charge) is sometimes
recommended. That should certainly not be done on
a regular basis. 16.3 is an overcharge - perhaps it is
that equalization charge I've heard about.
Ed
If I recall.. an equalization charge has to do with UPS systems.
Uninterupable Power Supply with alot of 2V batteries, or cells.
Some cells will be lower in votage and some maybe higher.
1.95 ... 2.00 ... 2.3 ... 2.01 ... 2.00
You apply a charging voltage of 2.25 volts to all the cells. B
The charging voltage is the equalization charge voltage.
You are bringing all low cells up in voltage and the hi cells down,
till all the cells are at a certain voltage, fro the whole UPS system.
I'm sure of the 2.25 volts, maybe I'm wrong on this, just some
number in my head rite now.
|
The 2.25V is the float charge voltage; eq V is a bit more, like 2.3 or
so. But most UPSes don't have parallel batteries, they are in series.
So enough current is run thru them all to give the eq v across each,
which means that the cells with higher V are also overcharged. |
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Peter Bennett
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:10 am Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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On Sat, 9 Apr 2005 16:21:42 -1000, "Laurie" <no@spam.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
"mike" <spamme0@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:42587A63.4050504@netscape.net...
Are you sure you want to cook the batteries at 16.5V?
The manufacturer recommends 16.3 v for several hours, I just pulled the
16.5 out of my tortured memory.
|
For a 12 volt lead-acid battery, 16.3 volts is an equalizing charge,
and should only be done occasionally. Normal bulk charging is done at
up to 14.4 volts (or so, depending on temperature). As the battery
approaches full charge, the voltage should be reduced to a "float"
level of aboout 13.7 volts - otherwise you'll boil off all the
electrolyte.
--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca |
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Byron A Jeff
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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|
In article <425868dc$1_5@alt.athenanews.com>, Laurie <no@spam.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I have solar panels charging two deep-cycle 12 V PbA batteries. When
reasonably well charged the voltage goes up to ~16.5,
but the inverter I am using stupidly shuts down around 14+.
|
I have but a single question...
Why do you think that it's stupid that the inverter shuts down at 14V?
I think it's smart enough to realize that you're cooking your batteries at
16.5V.
Do you?
BAJ |
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