Solar and Wind and Regulator (or two)

[mattnj]

I now have 15w of solar and a 503 wind turbine, connected to 330ah domestic there is also a seperate engine start battery....

Currently the wind is directly connected (no regulator) and the solar is plugged in when i need it.

I am going to add a regulator so i can leave it all connected for long periods, the question is 1 regulator and join the solar/wind inputs or 2 regulators seperately connected, one for wind, one for solar connected to the domestic bank?

 

[NormanS]

I have a Rutland HRDX controller, which, I think, will do every thing that you require. Check out Rutland's web site for the full spec of several controllers.

 

[mattnj]

I should have put will 1x chepo 10 quid one do, or is 2 better.

 

[William_H]

Solar /wind regulator

Just connect up the solar and wind gen to the battery. 330AH is a big battery bank, if it is OK with the wind gen, no regulator then additional 15 watts of solar max 3/4 amp will not harm your batteries.
Just monitor the fluid level in batteries if you can. Any serious use of water indicates over charging in which case you fit a shunt or bypass type regulator. This connects across the 12v and bypasses current (getting hot) if battery voltage rises above 14.4 volts or so. good luck olewill

 

[VicS]

The way to do it is as NormanS says with a Rutland regulator The HRS503 would be adequate for your needs.

Are you sure the cheapie regulators are suitable for a wind charger? You don't want to fry its diodes.

On its own I'd not bother with a regulator for 15 watts of solar with such a large battery but if you have to fit a "proper" regulator for the wind turbiner it might as well be connected through it too.

 

[Strathglass]

I have a 504 (replaced a 500) wind generator and a 14" x 39" Maplin panel.

I find the HSR503 Rutland controller is more than adequate it is also much easier to set up and interogate than the more complex Rutland controllers. Both power sources feed through the controller.

It is capable of handling a much larger solar panel than I have fitted as well as the wind generator.

The combination keeps the batteries more than adequately charged for the Navtex, Weatherman and domestic radio stand by currents.

I got the HSR503 on eBay.

Iain