VE6AB Technical
Solar Panel Mods
I recently purchased a new 40 watt, 12 volt Crystalline solar panel kit that includes the kick stand, a 7 amp charge controller, and various cable options as shown in the photo.
Now I have mentioned before that I have other solar panels in various sizes, but I found that you cannot have too many solar panels, or its nice to have choices depending what your plans for the day are.
For the most part, I use my solar panels in the field while operating my portable HF station, and smaller panels sized for my battery charging needs on the day work best for me.
I also use my solar panels for powering my various other devices while spending time in the back-country while camping.
I also like the fact that besides using my solar panels individually, I am able to daisy-chain the panels together when I need more charging capability.
Not shown here are the two roll-up smaller capacity solar panels that I also own and use more so with my day-pack as seen here with my Nomad 7 lashed to the rear of my day pack....
https://photos.smugmug.com/HamRadio/VE6AB-Technical/i-hVS33ch/0/O/2-6N4A4741-2.jpg
Now back to the panel, and once I unpacked it, I realized that the way the kick-stand was mounted to the panel, minimized the angles the panel could be adjusted through in relation to the sun.
Now I realize that solar panels work in all sorts of ambient lighting conditions, however I have found they perform optimally when faced directly into the sun.
After looking at the way the kick-stand fastened to the panel, I realized it would be simple to modify the mounting of the stand, allowing the solar panel to range through a greater choice of angles in relation to how the panel faces the sun.
It was as simple as drilling two new holes in the panel, and repositioning the stand on the panel
Click on the photo for a closer look with the stand located in its new location on the panel.....
Check it out as to how I did it here in my shop.....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/MachineShop/Machine-Shop/i-xFCWPSq
