alt.energy.homepower

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:30:02 -0600, z wrote:

>wmbjkREMOVE@ wrote in
>news:hsuer3tsi0t9ljd2s8sq4sj4vv47t9kbm2@:
>> No matter
>> which battery you choose, if your budget allows then I'd recommend
>> adding a proper battery monitor such as
>> / . Here's a link to the
>> user's manual /web/id/72/.
>
>I think the same function can be had via the xantrex c series charge
>controller LCD monitor. I have a c35 that does equalization and other
>nifty functions, and according to the lit the LCD display keeps track of
>a number of charge/usage variables .. Thats one on the list of things to
>get here pretty soon.
>
>
>SO im thinking that LCD option on the charge controller should do those
>same functions.. unless I'm totally out to lunch :)

A proper battery monitor uses a shunt between the batteries and
everything else, which allows accounting for all current in and out.
Any charge controller's data capability is limited to the loads
connected to it alone. For example, in most cases inverters are
connected directly to the battery, so the charge controller has no way
to see that power consumption. Even if all your loads are connected to
the C35, its metering and calculation functionality is extremely
limited compared to a Link 10. On the other hand, a charge controller
can break out the contribution of the source it's controlling, which
is nice, especially if you have multiple sources. But I'd consider the
battery monitor mandatory and the charging data optional. Two common
scenarios with new setups - operator underutilizes the system because
he's afraid of using too much, and operator is living with chronic
undercharge that he has no practical way of recognizing, and therefore
fails to make use of his backup source. A battery monitor will go a
long way to preventing both problems.

Wayne