Batteries

Batteries for PV and wind charging duty come in two forms, the sophisticated and simple.

Sophisticated systems use 'Deep Cycle' batteries specially designed for the job of handling high current on the output and low charging currents. However, a 100 amp 'deep cycle' battery costs about 100 pounds sterling.

If some of the larger wind / solar schemes are used, then the charge rate is higher and ordinary car and lorry batteries can be used as long as a suitable charge controller is placed between the panel + wind turbine and the batteries.

A typical low power budget system might include the following items:

• Low power wind charger (Rutland 500 or 910)
• 100amp DC battery 12 volts - £100
• 48 -60 Watt solar cell
• A shunt regulator to dump excess charge
• Solar Cell (PV) charge regulator
• Wind charger voltage regulator
  

A higher power budget system would include:

• 913 or 910 Furlmatic windcharger for higher charge rates
• Several car batteries in parallel preferably 24 volts.
• As many solar cells as you can afford!
• A shunt regulator to dump excess charge
• Solar Cell (PV) charge regulator
• Windcharger voltage regulator

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