SOLAR POWER KIT A N D 6.5-A M P -H O U R B A T T E R Y The Solar Power Kit is designed to provide power to any Davis weather station. CAUTION: Davis Instruments assumes no liability for any injury or damage caused directly or indirectly by the installation or use of this product.
The solar power subsystem comprises three units: ✦ Solar Panel Converts solar energy to electrical energy. The unit provided is rated at 10 Watts. It provides about 600 mA of current in bright sunshine (1000 W/m2). In 1∫ hours it provides power to operate the station for more than 24 hours. ✦ Battery A battery is not included in the kit. You may wish to provide your own. The kit is designed to use the 6.5 Amp-hour Battery (7711), but any 12volt rechargeable battery may be used. The 6.
C OMPONENTS The Solar Power Kit includes the following components. Please make sure that you have all the listed components before continuing.
✦ Installation Kit Hardware ✦ Two 5/16-18 x 3/4” (19 mm) Machine Screws ✦ Two 1-1/2” (4 cm) Lag Screws ✦ Four 5/16” Flat Washers ✦ Four 5/16” Split Lock Washers ✦ Four 5/16” Stainless Steel Hex Nuts ✦ Three #6-32 x 1/2” (12.5 mm) Machine Screws ✦ Two #4-40 x 1/2” (12.5 mm) Machine Screws ✦ Two Nylon Screw Insulators ✦ One #6 x 1/2” (12.
L ABELING Y OUR C ABLES Use the label sheets provided with your station to mark the battery cables before you begin installation. Doing this now will help prevent confusion during the installation and if you ever need to disconnect the cables at a later date. ✦ Place one BATTERY/B2 label over both wires of the battery cable so the BATTERY side of the label is nearest the end of the cable with individual slide connectors.
I NSTALLING THE B ATTERY The instructions below explain how to install the 6.5-Amp-Hour Battery (Davis Product # 7711). Installing the Battery in the Complete System Shelter Follow the instructions below to mount the battery in the Complete System Shelter (CSS). Note that if you have already mounted the console into the CSS, you will need to remove it before installing the battery. 1. Slide the individual connectors from the battery cable onto to the battery terminals.
Installing the Battery in other shelters or locations 1. Connect the battery cable harness wires to the battery terminals (see illustration “Attaching Battery Cable” on page 6.) Be sure to connect the red wire to the positive (red) terminal and the black wire to the negative (black) terminal. 2. Place the battery on a horizontal surface. I NSTALLING THE R EGULATOR C IRCUIT The instructions below explain how to install the regulator circuit in the Complete System Shelter (CSS). 1.
4. Attach the battery cover plate over the battery using the #6-32 x 1/2” (15 mm) machine screw as shown below. ATTACHING BATTERY COVER PLATE M OUNTING THE S OLAR P ANEL The solar panel may be mounted on the side of a wooden post or wall or on a pipe with outside diameter between 2” and 2-1/2” (51mm and 64mm). The instructions below take you through the procedure required to install the solar panel. Mounting on a Wood Surface 1.
Mounting on a Pipe 1. Hold the mounting bracket and U-bolt saddle against the pipe and slide the ends of the U-bolt through the holes in the saddle and the back of the mounting bracket so that the U-bolts wrap around the pipe. 2. Secure the mounting bracket to the pipe using a 5/16” flat washer, a 5/16” split lock washer and a 5/16” hex nut on each end of the U-bolt.
Attaching the Solar Panel to the Mounting Bracket The solar panel is designed to pivot on the 5/16” screws. 1. Loosely attach the 5/16-18 x 3/4” (2 cm) screws, two 5/16” flat washers, two 5/16” split lock washers, and two 5/16” stainless steel hex nuts to the mounting bracket as shown below. Do not tighten completely. 2. Slide the heads of the 5/16-18 x 3/4” (2 cm) screws into the channel on the sides of the panel as shown below.
3. Place a rubber tube into each end cap and insert end caps into the solar panel frame. The tubes should just sit within the end cap. Do not force them all the way into the end cap. INSERTING TUBES AND END CAPS 4. Find the optimum tilt angle for the panel using the table in “Location Tips” on page 5. 5. Using a protractor, adjust the tilt angle of the panel until the angle the panel makes with the horizontal matches the optimal tilt angle. TILT ANGLE 6.
C ONNECTING TO THE R EGULATOR Follow the instructions below to connect the solar panel, battery, and console to the regulator circuit. Connecting the Solar Panel and Battery to the Regulator Circuit 1. Route the cable from the solar panel to the regulator circuit and connect to plug B1. If you have mounted the regulator circuit in the Complete System Shelter (CSS), you will need to route the solar panel cable into the CSS through the cable boot in the base of the shelter as shown below. 2.
Connecting the Console to the Regulator Circuit 1. Cut the power adapter cable to remove the adapter. You will use the connector end of the power adapter cable. If you plan to mount the regulator and the console in the Complete System Shelter (CSS), you will need only 9” (23 cm) of cable attached to the connector. If you plan to mount the regulator and the console elsewhere, you may prefer a longer cable. 2.
6.5-A MP -H OUR B ATTERY I NFORMATION The 12 Volt, 6.5-Amp-Hour Battery is used to provide primary power to any of the Davis weather stations when external power is not available. Specifications ✦ Type: Sealed Lead-Acid No maintenance is required. ✦ Temperature: ✦ Storage: 5˚ to 104˚ F (-15˚ to 40˚ C) ✦ Discharge: 5˚ to 122˚ F (-15˚ to 50˚ C) ✦ Charge: 32˚ to 104˚ F (0˚ to 40˚ C). If the battery is charged at temperatures below 32˚F (0˚C), hydrogen and oxygen gases may be discharged at the safety vent.
Care and Handling ✦ Removing the Battery If you need to remove the battery, the holes in the bottom of the battery mounting bracket enable you to lift and slide the battery from below. ✦ Disassembling Do not disassemble the battery. The strong acid electrolyte may burn your skin. ✦ Shorting Do not short the battery. This can burn out the connections and could damage the equipment. ✦ Disposing Do not incinerate. Batteries may burst if thrown into fire. Arrange for proper recycling in your locality.
Product Numbers: 7708 & 7711 Davis Instruments Part Number: 7395-086 Solar Power Kit & 6.5-Amp Hour Battery Rev. B Manual (2/20/02) This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directive 89/336/EC. © Davis Instruments Corp. 2002. All rights reserved.
