solar Panel and 12v battery -- can they overcharge ?
Submitted: Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:06
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Begaboy
HI I have an 80w solar panel - similar to this -
http://www.kampers.com.au/sale.php?p=80_Watt_Kit - Now can these things over charge a battery - ie i leave it hooked to a battery in full sun for a week with Nothing else hooked up to the battery ? I am talking normal car battery's and a large marine 4800 cc battery and maybe one deep cycle battery 100 ah - i have a few batteries that i want to keep toped up without having them on mains power chargers because the sun is free and mains isnt !
Thanks
Reply By: Evakool - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:13
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:13
Hi,
The short answer is yes it can overcharge your batteries, if you don't have a regulator attached to the solar panel controlling what goes into the battery.
A few of the other people on here can recommend specific types, but the main thing is to have one and use it.
Thanks.
AnswerID:
427355
Follow Up By: Begaboy - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:22
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:22
HI there , the solar panel has the regulator built in allowing only the 12.x volts rather than the 18 v it can get up to - is this the regulator you speak of ?
FollowupID:
698021
Follow Up By: Evakool - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 11:10
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 11:10
Yes, that is what I was referring to.
Do you have a model of the regulator or even some specifications?
Thanks
FollowupID:
698027
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 11:10
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 11:10
Begaboy,
You say above,
"the solar panel has the regulator built-in, allowing only the 12.x volts....."
This stops the battery overcharging
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
698028
Reply By: Shaker - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:21
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:21
You answered your own question with the link you supplied.
"We also make our solar kits easy to use, all you need to do is connect the solar kit to your battery (we'll supply the correct fittings) and your solar kit will correctly charge your battery; we even use an Australian Made Plasmatronics Regulator to ensure the whole unit is very waterproof and reliable."
AnswerID:
427359
Follow Up By: Begaboy - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:34
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:34
Hi there , thanks for your reply -- My solar panel is SIMILAR to this one ... ITs not this one ..... so i do not know if this info will also be correct
FollowupID:
698023
Follow Up By: Shaker - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 11:16
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 11:16
Sorry, misunderstood.
All you need is to make sure that you use good solar regulator, if you look at the back of your panel/s, in the kits they are often fastened to the back.
FollowupID:
698029
Reply By: WATTS2C - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 14:26
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 14:26
it's all about making sure you have a solar regulator - otherwise you can
cook your batteries.
The small cost of a good regulator is more than made up by the extended life you will get from your batteries.
MH
AnswerID:
427375