> It's hard to tell. From skimming the manual, my first guess would be that
> 9V is required to run the control circuits, but not that power would be
> available for charging.

> However, if your client says that it draws tens of watts at that voltage --
> a couple of amps -- then yes, I agree that it would seem that it's boosting
> the voltage to charge the battery.

Well, what I've got him doing now is to take a closer look at what the
Morningstar does with low voltage inputs. He has a test rig for the wind
turbine so that shouldn't be too difficult. I don't think he has a scope but
would see charging voltage with a meter. The VA he quotes is what's
available from the panels, not what the Morningstar is drawing. If he told
me he'd measured low voltage current from the panel to the regulator then
boosting could be inferred
 
> Further investigation is required. You'd think that the vendor would make
> a bigger deal about it in the documentation if the unit had this feature.

I'd have thought so too. More valuable than statements like "The Morningstar
is 100% solid state" !!! I don't recall any efficiency figures either

-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist