Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!mailrus!ncar!stout!cook
From: cook@stout.ucar.edu (Forrest Cook)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Photovoltaic charger for NiCads
Message-ID: <5419@ncar.ucar.edu>
Date: 22 Nov 89 00:25:59 GMT
References: <1749@lafcol.UUCP> <7200043@silver>
Sender: news@ncar.ucar.edu
Reply-To: cook@stout.UCAR.EDU (Forrest Cook)
Organization: Field Observing Facility, NCAR, Boulder, CO
Lines: 15

In article <7200043@silver> commgrp@silver.bacs.indiana.edu writes:
>>I am looking for a solar-energy driven battery charger, 
...
>Remember to put a silicon diode in series to block reverse 
>leakage through the solar array when it's dark, and remember that 
>about 0.6 volt is lost in the diode's forward conduction.

For a slightly more efficient setup, use a schottky diode, the drop is
around .3 volts or so and you should be able to find one that can handle
moderate current.  DigiKey has some in their catalog.

 ^   ^  Forrest Cook - Beware of programmers who carry screwdrivers - LB
/|\ /|\ cook@stout.ucar.edu (The preceeding was all my OPINION)
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