I have a solar controller (associated with an energy monitor/external alternator controller) that drives a funky relay with a built in diode. The diode is there to prevent discharge through the solar panels at night. I have no idea where this part was sourced and have never been able to find a replacement. The thing lives on a boat and the switch trips perhaps 100 times a day and it is 10 years old. The boat works in very remote areas for extended periods of time. So, I'm worried about what to do when it fails. I am in the USA visiting in-laws and spent some time in the local Fry's trying to avoid the in-law part of the visit and noticed that they have on the shelf a transistor rated at 30 amps (just about the max amperage the panels can put out) and a rectifier rated at 40 amps. Now, the combined reaction time of the controller/relay is slower than ideal. So, I am curious if I couldn't just hook the transistor and diode up in place of the relay. It would be nice to have a backup and it would be wonderful if the faster switching would give me something closer to PWM. Of course, I didn't think of any of this when I was onboard and I head back out of the country Monday. So, I hope you will forgive me for asking before doing my research: Is this possible? Is it wise? Is there a better way. What mistakes am I likely to make as a total novice?
Cheers!
Tom
Cheers!
Tom