rob_g
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Re: Charging lithium batteries with solar
Those converters look like the ticket. My existing one isn't adjustable except in about 3v steps, and maxes at 12.5. Like to get it a bit higher. But it did work fine. The charger only pulls 400ma at 13.8v; and lower amperage at down around 12.2v (150ish), then none a bit below that. They've got those CC/CV converters with the LEDs on Amazon for $15 shipped. Nice.756Views0likes0CommentsRe: Charging lithium batteries with solar
I KNOW I can run these off existing 12v batteries, and I appreciate efforts to help, but the question, as yet unanswered, is specifically about using solar directly with existing lithium chargers to lithium batteries. So: panel>controller>charger, or panel>buck converter>charger? Since I asked, I've discovered very very few controllers will do this, since almost all small ones are battery chargers. Although there are tons that have circuitry to do USB power, 1 or 2.1A at 5v. I assume that those are basically voltage converters with appropriate limits on USB power to the standard specs of USB 1.1 and 2 (haven't seen 3.1 yet, which is higher amperage I believe, and could be useful for us). So I am know thinking I'll just use the buck converter like this one, which seems to provide the same utility, but at a different voltage: http://www.amazon.com/Switching-Regulator-Converter-Adjustable-Stabilizers/dp/B00BYTEHQO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430085381&sr=8-2&keywords=12v+buck+converter755Views0likes0CommentsRe: Charging lithium batteries with solar
I assume the Sunguard measures zero with nothing attached, or with a battery charger attached, because there is zero voltage at the "battery" side. It gets voltage/current from the panels just fine. I can't use the house battery (long story; I have an existing solar setup for that and it works fine, with a MPPT controller, etc. This is a different application.) Using an inverter is very inefficient, and would present the same and/or other issues regarding connection to the controller directly without a battery. The buck converter is what I suspect is best; not sure if a boost would help, since I'm already down around an amp and if the panel falls too low there's just not enough oomph there to make it worthwhile. I understand that a constant current is great for charging. But that just doesn't happen with solar and house batteries, or vehicle batteries, or any other batteries connected to solar. The whole point is that these ARE the batteries so carrying batteries to charge these batteries gets rather inefficient. At least the lithiums get a better charge faster than the SLAs.755Views0likes0CommentsCharging lithium batteries with solar
I've got lithium camera batteries and a lithium jump starter battery pack. All charge via 12v auto circuits, i.e. they have their own chargers, they aren't bare batteries. They all work up to at least 13.8v, which is what is going into my house or vehicle batteries via the alternator. My question is how to charge them with a 27W, 18v max solar panel. It puts out 18v at best. If I attach a Morningstar Sunguard solar controller, it can't sense anything at the end, hence it doesn't go on. I have tricked it by attaching a 12.7v battery and then disconnecting it, but that's obviously not a good solution. Once on, it runs at 13.8. I also have a DC power converter; it will take the voltage and output 12.25 to 12.5v. This works too, but I'm wondering if it would be better to get something that could output a bit higher voltage, like 13.8. I've noticed when using house power to charge these batteries all of them cut out at some point, so I assume the overcharge protection is working on all of them. I can get bare buck converters on eBay for about $10 complete with LEDs for voltage. Does this make sense? Will I blow up? Rob2.8KViews0likes17CommentsRe: Provider of emergency roadside services via text?
As I noted in my original post the motive here was to be able to use a SATELLITE network to send a text to an ERS. I also think it would be beneficial to be able to do so via CELLULAR as well (as MrWizard noted), and also with an app (and remember an app might use different ways to communicate; as far as I can tell all the AAA/GS ones use data right now). From what I can tell with DeLorme's device, eg, it can send a preprogrammed text with GPS at the touch of a button to their rescue service (life and limb type rescue, not ERS). And it can communicate with USBoat for boat tows via sat/text. Two way. And with local emergency services (unclear to me if this is like a text to 911, or relayed through their rescue provider). All I need is an ERS provider that has a cellphone next to their dispatcher so I can text that to get help for a breakdown. Geez, I never thought it wouldn't exist. You can request help via various apps on a smartphone, but they only work in cellular or wifi range. A voice sat phone would work, of course, but I like the idea of a relatively inexpensive device like the Explorer, which can also RECEIVE an emergency text via satellite FROM someone at home, like "plz return. Home buring down."1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Provider of emergency roadside services via text?
First, the issue isn't text INSTEAD of an app or voice. Not an issue. Second, I realize rv.net skews old, but texting is rather like email was in the 90's. Some people never communicate pretty well via text, and can get across the info they need to transmit easily. Third, the existing emergency (real emergency, not I-have-a-flat emergencies) are essentially communicated via text. As I noted, SPOT uses text. DeLorme's REACH uses text. Even modern EPIRBs and PLBs use text, in that they communicate info via low bandwidth text. It actually predates the "texting" you see on cellphones; in ham and other radio operations using words, often with shorthand and abbreviated syntax, goes back to the telegraph days, PREdating phone. Indeed, in many emergency and military scenarios it's preferred both for brevity and clarity (voice depends on tones, which means it's a slave to the quality of the connection, whilst data can avoid that). It's relatively easy to text location; many apps can do that already. As does SPOT. Using MMS, a guy last year sent a screenshot off his phone mapping his location to 911 in order to get hauled out of Death Valley. More and more 911 centers can now accept text emergency messages. So, again it surprises me ERS providers can't do it. AAA won't respond. Good Sam told me no. Coach-Net is also a no (and they provide for a lot of insurers and clubs, as I understand it). As soon as I find one that does, they'll get my business. I wouldn't think it would be tough to set up, and I would think getting the business of all the folks who are out of cell range would be nice. But maybe they don't want all those long tows....:W1.2KViews0likes0CommentsProvider of emergency roadside services via text?
Good Sam has informed me that they do not provide emergency roadside service (ERS) via test messaging; one has to call via voice.; I am seeking an ERS provider that can provide ERS if I contact them via text/SMS. Anyone aware of one? The only one I've heard of is an add-on service with the SPOT messenger, and I haven't been able to determine if they do RVs. I am interested because there are devices like the DeLorme Explorer that do two way text messaging via satellite, so you would have the ability to contact ERS if you were stuck on say some NV road far from cellular range. Texting is also more efficient than voice, and can sometimes have better success than a voice call in a marginal area. And you can send pictures, maps, GPS coordinates, etc. Indeed, I think the Explorer sends GPS automatically. So far DeLorme only has towing services for boats via a partnership with USBoating. Maybe they'll partner with ERS for RVs; be nice. Meanwhile, anyone aware of a service you can text to?4KViews0likes24CommentsRoadside service for van?
The Club's website says the auto roadside service covers vans; does this include a camper van like a Sportsmobile? Or would it be covered in the RV roadside assistance? I was turned down for RV insurance (not roadside) on my Sportsmobile because it didn't have a fixed toilet, even though its an RV with water, refer, etc. But I'm thinking Sam's RV roadside should cover it since it's actually smaller than most RVs (9000 lbs, 7.75' high, 22'. The towing benefit is my highest priority; and wanna switch from AAA. What does it mean by towing to nearest service provider?700Views0likes1Comment
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