wind and solar power charging

[spidy]

any idears on how to plug my wind charger 4 amp and
20 watt solar panel to charge my battery banks i have 3 banks. charged on board by a 70 amp altenator in to a advac system then to a 3way splitter thingy, can i puy the wires on to the splitter , will it back feed the advac charging system and damage it, the wind generator has a relay, /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Thamesbank]

Easy

Are the wind charger and the solar panels connected to a regulator? If so, just connect the outputs of the regulaor(s) to the main twelve volt distruction panel (or fuse box) on the supply side. Pleace a fuse in line to ensure safety.
Ensure you disconnect the panel before switching off the supply to the battery ( your kill switch)as this could damage the solar panel.
Don't attach anything to your splitter thingy either! Gawd knows what it would do.

 

[colvic987]

have a look at the rutland rws 60, might solve your problem..

 

[William_H]

The 20 watt solar panel I suggest should be connected direct to each battery pos. via isolatiion diodes. These are small diodes from Maplin or RS rated at min 2 amps. Connect the anodes (tail of the arrow or other end to the band) to the solar +ve the cathodes (band end) to each batt +ve and don't use a regulator. This will charge all 3 batteries with all batteries switched off at isolator. put fuses in each wire to the +ves.
Now if the wind gen is regulated you cannot use diodes as the .7 volt drop will limit charge voltage to the batteries to 14 minus .7 or 13.3. Which might be usefull but not properly charging batteries. So you might use a VSR to connect batts together when the wind gen is charging. or follow the wind gen manufacturers suggestions.
However if the wind gen is not regulated then it can be treated with 3 diodes as with the solar.
Note however with the 4 amp wind gen you really need a regulator unless you have a large battery bank or some continuous power wastage or you could find the batteries being overcharged. Solar should be no prob with decent sized 3 batt bank.
I would suggest that the wind and solar be connected to the batteries so that they are connected with all battery switches off and completely isolated from Alternator charge controller. They will not be affected when engine is running and alternaor is charging. olewill

 

[spidy]

many thanks all . least i wont be in the dark now.? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif