Campbell Scientific SP65 Solar Panel - Manual (Page 10)

SP65 Solar Panel
FIGURE 4. Solar Panel Orientation
The minimum battery size and solar panel output required depends on 1) the
average current drain of the system, 2) the maximum time the battery must supply
power to the system without being charged, and 3) the location of the site. When
some batteries are discharged below a specified voltage, the battery becomes
damaged and cannot be recharged.
The battery supplies power directly to the operating system, the solar panel
supplies power to recharge the battery. Therefore, on the average, the solar panel
must provide at least as much power to the battery as is being used by the system.
The battery must have enough capacity to power the system during times of no
charging (night) or low charging (stormy winter days).
5.2 Voltage Regulator
The regulator has two basic functions: 1) blocks any current flow from the battery
to the solar panel, and 2) limits the source current to the battery.
The SP65 is shipped with Morningstar’s SunSaver SS-10-12V regulator. The
regulator connects to the battery via the 15’ cable shipped with the SP65. The
regulator and battery should be housed in an environmental enclosure. Mounting
brackets are included with the regulator for attachment to an enclosure backplate.
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