Wind charger controller excessive idle current

MM5AHO

MM5AHO

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My Rutland 504 (by Marlec) is controlled by an HRS503 controller/regulator.
I note that this device ( the regulator) uses about 20mA when there's no wind. Its charging a 55 Ah battery, so it doesn't take that long for it do take the shine off the battery's charge.
Doesn't this seem a bit high as a idling current for such a device?
 
MM5AHO said:
My Rutland 504 (by Marlec) is controlled by an HRS503 controller/regulator.
I note that this device ( the regulator) uses about 20mA when there's no wind. Its charging a 55 Ah battery, so it doesn't take that long for it do take the shine off the battery's charge.
Doesn't this seem a bit high as a idling current for such a device?
Click to expand...

I thinK I would contact Marlec and ask if that is correct. but it probably is as the battery voltage indicator could well take that much
 
I suspect that there's a compromise between making a device simple and low consumption, and making it user informative.
This regulator has two tricolour LEDs to indicate both turbine output and battery condition. In my case not necessary to have, but possibly a good sales feature.
But all such "toys" use power.

My VHF has a quite high standing consumption too, such that leaving it on a few days is enough to drop the battery voltage.
 
MM5AHO said:
My Rutland 504 (by Marlec) is controlled by an HRS503 controller/regulator.
I note that this device ( the regulator) uses about 20mA when there's no wind. Its charging a 55 Ah battery, so it doesn't take that long for it do take the shine off the battery's charge.
Doesn't this seem a bit high as a idling current for such a device?
Click to expand...

Unless my calculations are wrong your battery could power the device for almost 4 continuous wind-free months.

That seems like a very long time. :)

Richard
 
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