S3A12 Tesla Solar Tracker 5

[ramon]

Thanks a lot Aaron:

Silly me, I meant putting the 2 S20A12 in series (not parallel) to make for the 24V from the solar panel, but I undestand this neither can´t be done. Will keep looking for amorphous panels in Mexico.
Regards

[Aaron Murakami]

Hi there:

Thanks to all the excellent you do at teslachargers and with mr bedini, congratulations.
I am just starting to know these systems and recently bought an S20A12 solar tracker. Since I have not been able to get an amorphuos panel here in mexico I had to go with a 100 W policristalyne for now. I have some initial questions:

Right now, as summer is ending the panel is giving about 16.3 V top when I connect it to the solar tracker plus the battery and the max voltaje I have got in the battery is 13.4 V (no green light comes on). The panel has an open circuit voltage of 19.2 V, and I am using these two to charge a standard 12V lead acid battery. My question is if the voltage output from the solar is enough to charge or do I need to put another solar panel in paralel? In your book solar secrets you mention the panel should be giving about 18.5 V so I would like to know...
The other question is: if I have a 24 V solar panel can I connet 2 S20A12 units in paralel with it?

Thanks for any help
Regards

Hi Ramon,

16.3 is a bit low... 18-18.5 would be ideal. Crystalline panels are just fine, just amorphous is a bit better for the low light conditions.

In parallel, you'll boost the current but the loaded voltage will still be a bit low.

Please don't connect the S20A12's in parallel. They'll fight with each other. If they're in parallel, they would still be 12v... series would be 24v but you can't do that with these units or they can get damaged.

With 24v solar panels, they would need the 24v units to be compatible.

I hope that helps.

http://teslachargers.com/teslasolartracker5.html

[Aaron Murakami]

Hi Aron I posted back on 5/10/14 about the third SG book and the linear circuit just wondering if there are any updates
Regards jneo

The Advanced book will be avail around the end of October. There are only two book/video projects Peter and I are working on right now and the SG Advanced book is one of them.

It may mention the linear circuits, but we can't divulge anything proprietary. Just wait until you see the Advanced book, many revelations that will take everything to the next level.

[ramon]

Hi there:

Thanks to all the excellent you do at teslachargers and with mr bedini, congratulations.
I am just starting to know these systems and recently bought an S20A12 solar tracker. Since I have not been able to get an amorphuos panel here in mexico I had to go with a 100 W policristalyne for now. I have some initial questions:

Right now, as summer is ending the panel is giving about 16.3 V top when I connect it to the solar tracker plus the battery and the max voltaje I have got in the battery is 13.4 V (no green light comes on). The panel has an open circuit voltage of 19.2 V, and I am using these two to charge a standard 12V lead acid battery. My question is if the voltage output from the solar is enough to charge or do I need to put another solar panel in paralel? In your book solar secrets you mention the panel should be giving about 18.5 V so I would like to know...
The other question is: if I have a 24 V solar panel can I connet 2 S20A12 units in paralel with it?

Thanks for any help
Regards

[jneo]

Hi Aron I posted back on 5/10/14 about the third SG book and the linear circuit just wondering if there are any updates
Regards jneo

[Aaron Murakami]

Hi Aaron, I have been involved with battery care all of my adult career.....45 years now. Looks like I will just keep this unit and keep an eye on the voltages as we get to the full charge voltage of 15.2-15.6. Thanks for all your help.

In ref to the bulk sale of these units I am considering building one for each of my 25 employees as a give from the plant. Will keep you informed.

Bud

Ok, thanks Bud. Will look forward to it.

[Forrest]

Hi Aaron, I have been involved with battery care all of my adult career.....45 years now. Looks like I will just keep this unit and keep an eye on the voltages as we get to the full charge voltage of 15.2-15.6. Thanks for all your help.

In ref to the bulk sale of these units I am considering building one for each of my 25 employees as a give from the plant. Will keep you informed.

Bud

[Aaron Murakami]

Hi Aaron, I left the 17 AH battery on all day and at 4:30 pm the battery was hot (approx. 100-105deg F) and the voltage was at 14.1. I took it off and let it cool down. I also tried two small 5-7 AH? 3X5X5 lead acid wet cell 12 volt batteries and they each peaked out at 16.15- 16.20 volts after about 10 minutes each while on charge. My take is someone mistook a 16 for a 15 while in the burn in mode. At least it does stop although it is sort of high. On the good side it will handle quite a large battery and will also make sure there is no sulphates left over on the plates. Just have to watch the water levels.

Bud

Bud,

Ok, for the sealed batts, 14.8 is the optimum max. We do have the Nickel Iron Phosphate models that are set for 14.8 max and that is perfect for sealed gel cells too. I use my flooded cell s3a12 that goes to 15.1-15.2 for gels all the time - I just remove it at at the 14.8 to 14.9 level.

If you want to keep that one set high, go for it, you obviously know what you're doing. But if you do want to replace it, let me know and we'll get that done.

[Aaron Murakami]

Hi Aaron, One more thing.....are there quantity purchase discounts for the chargers? Say 25 units?

Bud

We can arrange a bulk discount. Please email me at the Tesla Charger email and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Forrest]

Hi Aaron, One more thing.....are there quantity purchase discounts for the chargers? Say 25 units?

Bud

[Forrest]

Hi Aaron, I left the 17 AH battery on all day and at 4:30 pm the battery was hot (approx. 100-105deg F) and the voltage was at 14.1. I took it off and let it cool down. I also tried two small 5-7 AH? 3X5X5 lead acid wet cell 12 volt batteries and they each peaked out at 16.15- 16.20 volts after about 10 minutes each while on charge. My take is someone mistook a 16 for a 15 while in the burn in mode. At least it does stop although it is sort of high. On the good side it will handle quite a large battery and will also make sure there is no sulphates left over on the plates. Just have to watch the water levels.

Bud

[Aaron Murakami]

Thanks Bud, I'll look for the update.

[Forrest]

Hi Aaron, I ran another test with this unit yesterday all day long while I was at work. I put it onto a brand new "D" battery the previous night and let it run all day yesterday in full sun. When I check on the battery voltage around 5:00pm The battery voltage measured 15.6 volts which is OK. It was a very sunny day yesterday and it should have had full output capability during that time. I now have it on another 12 volt sealed 17AH battery to see how things work out. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Bud

[Aaron Murakami]

Hi Aaron, Yes I have checked all of the chargers on the same good battery. Group 24 new battery NAPA Legend series going into my wife's Saab. Three of them stopped right on the mark 15.1- 15.2 volts. The 4th one went right on past 16.5 volts in no time when I checked it with my meter. I verified by using several different meters.

Bud

Bud,

Ok - it does sound like it is set too high for some reason. The units are usually "burned in" during testing and the settings are locked in place before they leave.

If you purchased it from Tesla Chargers, please send us an email (use the email in the banner in my signature) with these details. We can swap it out, but lets run it by Peter first.

[Forrest]

Hi again Aaron, Guess I should give you all the details. All four solar panels exact same size 30 watt...12 volt. In put leads around 10 feet long #10 wire with heavy jacket. Charge leads are 25' long #10 fine braided copper wire with big battery clip leads. Been using this setup for around 3 weeks now to charge up all my rolling stock. These units are great!

Bud