Electrical charging and discharging control apparatus and method, and

Abstract

Electrical charging control apparatus regulates the charging of a rechargeable battery by a solar panel. Selector apparatus can select a direct connection, through a relay, of the output and charging terminal of the solar panel to the output and charging terminal of the battery to permit charging through such a direct connection. It, alternatively, by opening the relay, can select a coupling of such terminals through a regulator, to permit trickle charging through the regulator. Breaker/closer apparatus, during a direct connection, periodically breaks such diret connection so that the selector apparatus can determine whether the signal at the solar panel output and charging terminal, due to the condition of the sun, has gone below the level at which charging can occur. Also, subsequent to a charging termination threshold having been reached and a resulting termination of the direct correction, the breaker/closer apparatus periodically causes such a direct connection so that signal-tester apparatus can again test for the charging termination threshold. Discharging of the battery through loads is terminated by additional breaker apparatus which causes a circuit breaker between the battery and the loads to open when the battery falls below a load disconnect threshold. Any substantial additional discharging through the loads must await the rising of the battery voltage above a load reconnect threshold and a manual closing of the circuit breaker.