"Paul Remde" wrote in message news:QEpsb.182087$e01.657569@attbi_s02...
Hi,

I have heard that solar panels are rated a bit optimistically (like glider
polars). So you may not get as much current as you think you will.

Sometimes the current rating given is into a short circuit, so you get
substantially less in practice. I'm sure these particular ratings are for the
panel laid flat, pointing directly into the sun, with no cloud cover. Wrapped
on a fuselage, frequently pointing away from the sun, the average will be a
whole lot less.


But it does sound nice and worth investigating. Let us know how it works
for you.

Paul Remde

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
.. .
I've come across some thin (0.008 inches), flexible solar panels that
look like they'd be ideal for gliders. These are the PowerFilm 7.2V
100mA ($30) units, with and without adhesive on the back:

http://store.sundancesolar.com/pow72v100maf1.html

So, $120 would buy me 4 panels, which would give me 200 ma at 15+
volts, almost enough keep up with my panel (including the
transponder) over a full day. By "full day", I'm including the time
it's tied out, as it would be at a soaring camp or on a safari, and a
five hour flight.

A full panel these days (with an active transponder) easily draws over 2 amps.
The current you'll actually get out of the solar panel would not make a
significant difference. You'd be more likely to notice the additional drag
due to the turbulence than you would notice a benefit in the electricals.
If 36 AH of batteries (with a generator on your engine) isn't enough, you've
got other problems.

Dave



Has anyone used these, or know anything about them? Are there any
better units than these? I'm aware of the Strobl units from Germany,
but they are about twice the cost per amp.


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Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)