VE6AB Portable Ops
Solar System - The Outfit
Although I have mentioned before that I like the fact that my field grade Yaesu FT-897D has the capability to operate on the internal batteries located in the bottom battery tray, there are times when I may want to operate beyond the 20 watt capability of this ruggedized transceiver while on internal battery power.
On this morning, my Yaesu FT-897D is being powered by my 30 caliber power can, containing two 12 volt 5 Ah gel cells connected in parallel, providing the means of allowing the FT-897D to transmit with up to 100 watts if required.
The batteries in the power can are being maintained by the solar panel as seen in the photo and is rated at 1.5 amps output. Connected in line between the solar panel and the power can is the charge controller rated at 7 amps, controlling the charge being supplied by the solar panel to the batteries.
This particular solar panel is the very efficient monocrystalline type of panel, and I choose this panel for several reasons, one of course the fact it is capable of maintaining the charge in the power can batteries, and two, it is sized right physically to store within the storage container seen in the various photos doubling as a table for my radio operations on this day.
If for some reason I felt I needed more charge capacity, like when I'm using my larger power pack with its two 38 Ah batteries connected in parallel, I can daisy chain an additional 50 watt panel to the 20 watt panel, increasing the amperage output by 3+ amps for a total of approximately 5 amps of charge output, but still within spec for the 7 amp charge controller that is controlling the charge being supplied to the batteries.
Click on the photo for a closer look.....
The charge controller up close.....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/VE6AB-Portable-OPS/i-8Zs9QFg
Field Day Proofed In The Backcountry......
http://ve6ab.blogspot.ca/2016/05/field-day-proofed-in-backcountry.html
