Red Battery Charger: Will in run on 22v DC?

[Isaac Babcock]

The Red battery charger has a DC 22v 5amp input. I assume this would allow you to run the charger on DC? Is this correct? Has anyone done this? Does it require a regulated 22v or nominal (as in from a 24v system)?

I ask because I'm trying to figure out up a backcountry solution to charging batteries - a generator is not an option. thanks...

 

[Kennan Ward]

Isaac,

I used a 12 volt battery augmented with a 30 watt solar panel and a 750 watt inverter and it worked umbilical cord out from the charger fine. 114 days in bush Alaska.

Does that help??

Kennan Ward

 

[Isaac Babcock]

Thanks Kennan, that does help. I'm impressed with just a 30watt panel! How large is your 12v battery (is it the APC backup type size - 18-24 amp hrs)? Did you have a charge control between the PV panel and your 12v battery, or straight connection? Good to know that works- 114 days!

Still hoping for an answer from RED about the 22v DC input though as that would allow you to bypass the inverter and be slightly more efficient DC to DC and not DC to AC to DC conversion.

 

[Kennan Ward]

Isaac, I used a marine gel in a Pelican case. All is fine as the Alaska sun beats on you but it fell sharply under grey clouds. I rotated six Red batteries to keep up with the midnight sun. I like the unisolar from Real Goods http://www.realgoodssolar.com/as they are flexible yet to the watts. Next season I will try two 30 watt panels.

If you get board check out a teaser of a part that I have edited so far. http://www.kennanward.com/alaska/Site/_.html

PEACE,

Kennan

 

[Isaac Babcock]

Thanks Kennan- thats good help. Thats some great stuff you've put together! I'll drop you an email. Good work!

 

[Lewis-M Soucy]

Amazing footage Kennan!

 

[Eagle eye]

Woa great moments in the wilderness, nice work Kennan . Need an assistant ?