The CRVW3 includes a built-in charge regulator to simplify the deployment and use of a solar
panel. The output from the solar panel connects directly to this regulator via the CRVW3 charge
terminals.
The charge regulator senses the voltage provided by the solar panel and either charges the
battery or simply draws power from it. This ensures constant CRVW3 operation during changes
from periods of full solar panel power production to periods of little or no panel output. When
the battery is charged to its full state, the charge regulator applies just enough power to keep the
battery fully charged.
Install the solar panel with the visibility and orientation to optimize the capture of solar energy.
See your solar panel manual for more information.
NOTE:
A spreadsheet is available from Campbell Scientific to help you determine which solar panel
to use based on the frequency of your measurements, radio communications activity, and
estimated solar exposure. For more information, see
www.campbellsci.com/downloads/power-budget-spreadsheet
and
www.campbellsci.com/videos/power-budgeting
.
When connecting the solar panel output cable to the CRVW3, feed the cable through the
corresponding gland and secure the seal using a similar process to that described in
(p. 40). Connect the solar panel cable to the and – terminals. The
polarity of the wires from the solar panel must be observed, so check the cabling carefully.
Connect the 7 Ah rechargeable battery to the power/charge circuit by plugging the provided
connector into the Battery connector on the panel.
You should see LED activity on the CRVW3 when either a charged battery is connected to the
CRVW3 or sufficient voltage is applied to the charge terminals. See
(p. 39) for
more information.
8.3.3 AC line power
The CRVW3 device can operate using AC line power as the main power source. However, it is still
recommended to have a rechargeable battery (with the –RC option) as a backup source in case
of power outages. This helps ensure measurement continuity and prevent data loss.
When voltage is applied to the charge terminals, the battery will be charged (or maintained at full
charge) during times when AC line power is available. This helps ensure that the battery is always
ready to provide backup power in case of power outages.
CRVW3 3-Channel Vibrating-Wire Data Logger
44
