2003 TXT custom lithium/solar setup

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by nas

Playing with this solar stuff is pretty cool. I played with wind turbines few years back but didnt know much about solar until I started actually getting my hands on the solar stuff about a year ago and Im still learning every day.

I became a Siemans Solar dealer in the late 80s, a couple of years after I had retired from my DOD career. Ever since then, every place I've lived was set up to be off-grid. I managed to get a pallet load (6.5 KW) of some high efficiency satellite grade solar panels a few years ago. Waiting to set them up in a new array here to see how they compare. They were new and the USAF project they were bought for was cancelled by Obama. It's amazing how many millions of $ in surplus gets auctioned off for a fraction of a penny on the dollar. I bought a 5 unit 3 year old SAC base "SkyWatch" system for $200! The invoices were included in the paperwork, the USAF had paid over $1,250,000.00 for that system. If you don't know what that is... it replaced radar so that US AFBs can identify and track any stealth object at a distance. I can only use it myself or scrap it for parts, because it's still classified. I would not have been able to buy it without my clearance. LOL

Bob

[nas]

Thats awsome I wish I could get my hands on some higher end components but it gets expensive fast. I was out playing with my 36v solar cart yesterday and I think i smoked the motor so time for an upgrade. Just hoping I didnt smoke the controller too. when it cools down it still runs fine but heats up in a hurry then cuts in and out then stops and just studders. Im hoping its just motor.

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by nas

Thats awsome I wish I could get my hands on some higher end components but it gets expensive fast. I was out playing with my 36v solar cart yesterday and I think i smoked the motor so time for an upgrade. Just hoping I didnt smoke the controller too. when it cools down it still runs fine but heats up in a hurry then cuts in and out then stops and just studders. Im hoping its just motor.

That sounds like controller overheat more than motor.

[nas]

I used a heat laser on both the motor and controller. The motor was almost untouchable hot but the controller was as cool as it could be. I think I solved it by cleaning the contacts on the f/r switch and now no heat building up after a few miles on hilly terrain. Hopefully problem solved or might need to upgrade the f/r switch to an hd type.