EF-Series Instruction Manual
Rev 2/01 1-17
1.7.4 Solar-Powered Installations
Solar power allows installation of the EF-Series Unit in remote locations. The two important elements
in a solar installation are solar panels and batteries. Solar panels and batteries must be properly sized
for the application and geographic location to ensure continuous, reliable operation.
A 12-volt solar panel can be installed to provide charging power for the backup batteries. The panel
can be rated at 5 or 10 watts (to correspond to the CSA rating of the unit) and is sized depending upon
the power requirements of the unit. In pipe-mount installations, the solar panel may be mounted to the
same 2-inch pipe that supports the EF-Series Unit. The panel wiring is brought into the enclosure
through the pre-punched holes in the bottom of the enclosure and is terminated at the charge (CHG)
power terminals on the Main Electronics Board.
The panel must face due South (not magnetic South) in the Northern Hemisphere and due North (not
magnetic North) in the Southern Hemisphere. The panel must also be tilted at an angle from horizontal
dependent on latitude to maximize the energy output. The angles for different latitudes are normally
included in the solar panel documentation. At most latitudes, the performance can be improved by less
of an angle during the summer and more of an angle during the winter.
Since a site may have additional power requirements for cell phones or radios, repeaters, and other
monitoring devices, power supply and converter accessories may be used to minimize the number of
separate power sources required for an installation.
Solar arrays are used to generate electrical power for the EF-Series Unit from solar radiation. The size
and number of solar panels required for a particular installation depends on several factors, including
the power consumption of all devices connected to the solar array and the geographic location of the
installation. Refer to the following paragraphs.
To determine solar panel output requirements, first determine the solar insolation for your geographic
area. The map in Figure 1-3 shows solar insolation (in hours) for the United States during winter
months. Call your local Fisher Representative for a map detailing your specific geographic area.
Insolation (from map) = _____ hours
Next, calculate the amount of current required from the solar array per day using the following
equation. I
SF
is the system current requirement. Refer to Section 1.7.3 on page 1-16.
I
array
= [I
SF
(amps) × 24 (hrs)]/Insolation (hrs) = _____ amps
Finally, the number of solar panels can be determined using the following equation:
Number of Panels = I
array
amps/(I
panel
amps/panel) = _____ panels
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