01-22-2019, 11:32 PM
This company, Flexcharge, has some interesting, made in USA, products.
http://www.flexcharge.com/Divert-Pad-kit.html
This is a 350 watt kit with everything included to attach to a hot water tank. I’m scared to see the price.
Their charge controllers are interesting. Rated up to 150 volts input. Connecting the house batteries to a unregulated, rectified, alternator and solar through this controller the solar panels would clamp the voltage and act like a zener diode. Then a voltage follower such as the Xantrex Echo Charge could charge the starter battery from the house battery. This way both battery banks are connected to solar and alternator with three stage charging. And heat water too?! In theory, correct me if I’m mistaken. I haven’t tried this yet.
Same could be done with a big Midnite Classic 100 amp charge controller but it’s is expensive and bulky. The Flexcharge is tiny. Flooded batteries can take a high current charge compared to sealed. A 60 amp, such as Morningstar, might take less space than a Midnite or Outback and be more affordable. And be enough amps for sealed batteries or small flooded batteries. But this gets into another thread comparing flooded batteries with sealed. And fast charging versus slow charging.
Also these charge controllers are adjustable voltages and temperature compensated. So there’s potential for longer battery life. The Flexcharge controllers are smaller amp limits. The one I looked at is 25 amp. If one camped near a stream a tiny hydro turbine could be connected to the battery through the Flexcharge, voltage clamped by the solar, and divert to the heat pad. That would be a compact system.
http://www.flexcharge.com/Divert-Pad-kit.html
This is a 350 watt kit with everything included to attach to a hot water tank. I’m scared to see the price.
Their charge controllers are interesting. Rated up to 150 volts input. Connecting the house batteries to a unregulated, rectified, alternator and solar through this controller the solar panels would clamp the voltage and act like a zener diode. Then a voltage follower such as the Xantrex Echo Charge could charge the starter battery from the house battery. This way both battery banks are connected to solar and alternator with three stage charging. And heat water too?! In theory, correct me if I’m mistaken. I haven’t tried this yet.
Same could be done with a big Midnite Classic 100 amp charge controller but it’s is expensive and bulky. The Flexcharge is tiny. Flooded batteries can take a high current charge compared to sealed. A 60 amp, such as Morningstar, might take less space than a Midnite or Outback and be more affordable. And be enough amps for sealed batteries or small flooded batteries. But this gets into another thread comparing flooded batteries with sealed. And fast charging versus slow charging.
Also these charge controllers are adjustable voltages and temperature compensated. So there’s potential for longer battery life. The Flexcharge controllers are smaller amp limits. The one I looked at is 25 amp. If one camped near a stream a tiny hydro turbine could be connected to the battery through the Flexcharge, voltage clamped by the solar, and divert to the heat pad. That would be a compact system.