Solar wasted watts/volts
I am curious what happens to the watts /volts when your system is fully charged and you have no demand? Were does the extra power go?
Forum Discussion
mike-s wrote:
How does that circuit adjust to allow the batteries to reach absorption and equalization voltages and times so they're properly charged and maintained?
We have a relatively-fancy solar controller (Midnite Classic) that has a optional mode where it sets an auxiliary output signal once it reaches FLOAT stage. We have that control signal connected to a solid state relay which then turns the AC power to the water heater on or off.
Further, the controller will pulse width modulate that signal very rapidly, such that the on/off ratio is proportional to only the amount of "excess" solar input (if any), thereby maintaining a proper float voltage at the batteries.
Pretty slick, but the key is a smart enough solar controller that implements this kind of diversion mode.
