Oct
31
The 130 Wp panel increases the solar array's total output to 940 Wp. Both panels are mounted on the back of the shack and are intended to make winter operation more reliable. An expansion of the solar air collector is planned for March 2026. Both panels will then be taken offline for the spring and summer months, as they overload the charge controller. They are only truly usable now because the next dark doldrums phase is approaching.
Posted by Administrator
Sep
23
Last
winter's experiences showed how important it is to have a well-equipped emergency battery. My LiFePo4 battery is ready for this eventuality. With a total capacity of 50 Ah, it provides more than 10 hours of additional power. Weighing only 6 kg, the battery can be recharged at home in just 5-7 hours. The battery comes with a charge status indicator and a controllable app. A special charger with a fixed voltage of 14.6 V ensures proper charging.
However, the battery can be used for more than just emergencies. When the sunny days become shorter, it relieves the main power supply of the calcium batteries and thus creates additional reserves.
If the winter of 2025/26 is as cloudy as the last one,
a second LiFePo4 battery is available. It is always charged and can be easily replaced in the station if necessary.
Bring on the season!
Posted by Administrator
Mar
13
New electrical installation
A lot has happened in recent weeks and months and little has been created. Due to a prolonged dark doldrums, the batteries were not sufficiently charged. As a result, only very limited operation was possible during the winter months. In addition, the batteries were sulphated and needed further technical support in the form of a special charger and a pulse generator to largely dissolve the sulphation. As things stand today, I can say that the batteries are fine again and provide sufficient power. The next measures in this respect are the installation of a thermostat-controlled heater in the new battery box and a strong insulation for the box. The heating will be provided by an additional portable lithium-ion battery in winter.
No 220V power supply possible
Even if it is regrettable, my dream of a real remote-controlled station will not be realised as long as the sun does not provide sufficient energy in winter. As the station is located in a garden area where all available power sockets are occupied, it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. In addition, a new power box would be possible, but my hands are tied here. It would also require digging a cable duct over a length of 30 metres with sufficient depth, which would be very hard work or impossible from a gardening point of view (flower beds etc.). So I'm happy if my programmed recordings work again for power reasons alone. Most of the time I collect the recordings in person, as I have always done in recent years, or get remote access when the power situation allows.
Antennas and SDR
For all these reasons, I had to cancel the purchase of the Aziloop. It makes no sense as long as unlimited remote access is not possible.
Currently 2 SDR receivers, the S2 and S3 from ELAD, are working perfectly again. The S2 had to receive a firmware update from ELAD in the last few weeks, while the S3 worked in the home office over the winter on an ALA.
DDA raised
One mast of my double delta loop antenna was raised to a height of 9 metres. The originally planned height of 12-14 metres could not be achieved. The treetop did not allow this. I was able to increase the height relatively easily with a straight Y-branch placed on the steel mast segments. The originally planned mast top element of the Aldi flagpole could not be used. The reason for this was the stubborn aerial wire and the prospect of not being able to span this mast top over the branches of the ash tree. The Y-branch also saved the dangerous use of a tree climber. The mast is fixed around the trunk with a guy rope.
Posted by Administrator
