Determining Power Requirements; Solar Powered Installations; Floboss 104; Solar Power - Emerson FloBoss 103 Instruction Manual

FloBoss 103/104 Instruction Manual

3.3 Determining Power Requirements

3.4 Solar Powered Installations

3-4
To adequately meet the needs of the FloBoss system, it is important to
determine the total power consumption and size of solar panel
requirements accordingly. For total FB100 power consumption, be sure
to add the power consumption (in mW) of any other devices used with
the FB100 in the same power system. The maximum power for DC
voltage sources is 130 mW for the FloBoss 103 and 300 mW for the
FloBoss 104, not including the battery charging.
Convert the total value (in mW) to Watts by dividing it by 1000.
mW / 1000 = Watts
For selecting an adequate power supply, use a safety factor (SF) of 1.25
to account for losses and other variables not factored into the power
consumption calculations. To incorporate the safety factor, multiply the
total power consumption (P) by 1.25.
= P x 1.25 = _____ Watts
P
SF
To convert P to current consumption in amps (I
SF
system voltage (V) of 12 volts.
I = P / 12V = _____ Amps
SF SF
Solar power allows you to install the FB100 in locations where a DC
voltage source is not available. Be sure to size solar panels properly for
the application and geographic location to ensure continuous and
reliable operation.
A 2-Watt or 5-Watt solar panel can be ordered and installed to provide
charging power for the backup batteries. An external solar panel
typically mounts to the same 2-inch pipe that supports the FB100. The
panel wiring terminates at the charge (CHG+ / CHG-) power terminals
on the termination board.
The panel must face due (not magnetic) south in the Northern
Hemisphere and due (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.
As a site may have additional power requirements for 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.
Power Connections
), divide P by the
SF SF
Revised August-2017