Hi all, I have purchased a new solar battery charger as we do a lot off grid sites. Has anyone had any experiance with these as there are no instructions that came with it. It's a briefcase style folding one that's 100w. There is a lead that has crocodile clips on one end for the battery and a plug on the other that connects to the panel. Is it really as easy as that? or is there anything I need to know ie connect the battery first before connecting to the panels or vice versa?
Thanks in advance
Hello Torquay from Paignton!!!! sorry i cant help with your question but if you have anymore questions about anything make contact don't seem to be many members down this way!! They like to pitch up in the bay
With the controllers I have used, both made by Morningstar, they quote that the battery connection is to be made first and broken last on respectively connecting up and unconnecting. So that is what I do and have for now 14 years.
I don't doubt many are used without the owners reading any instruction and others as yours are supplied without instruction so will be used either way around; as we don't hear of too many controller failures one is lead to conclude it probably is not too critical.
OK thanks JTQU. I think I'll follow your advice as I'm sure I've read it somewhere before about the battery being connected first. Thanks for the confirmation. All the best
Hi peeps
whilst were on the subject
Ive just purchased a Hankook 90ah DC27 battery and have a 2.4v solar panel connected to it is that sufficient to keep it trickle charged?
regards
keg
Quote: Originally posted by kegonlegs on 20/7/2016
Hi peeps
whilst were on the subject
Ive just purchased a Hankook 90ah DC27 battery and have a 2.4v solar panel connected to it is that sufficient to keep it trickle charged?
regards
keg
Assuming you actually meant a 2.4 Watt not 2.4 volt solar charger, then it is totally inadequate to do anything much more than not using it. Assuming again the battery is doing nothing but standing disconnected, it ought to "keep" reasonable charged for two months. IMO buying solar chargers of less than 10 Watts as trickle chargers is pointless; and if for using a battery IMO buying less than 40 Watts is wasting money. My ideal minimum is about 60 Watts, that can seriously help batteries whilst camping.
Yes my apologies 2.4watts..The only thing it is connected for is to keep it charged whilst in storage totally disconnected, so i need to buy a panel of at least 10 watts is that correct?
Quote: Originally posted by kegonlegs on 20/7/2016
Yes my apologies 2.4watts..The only thing it is connected for is to keep it charged whilst in storage totally disconnected, so i need to buy a panel of at least 10 watts is that correct?
IMO, if you are thinking of winter stowage as well as now then yes.
Quote: Originally posted by kegonlegs on 20/7/2016
Yes my apologies 2.4watts..The only thing it is connected for is to keep it charged whilst in storage totally disconnected, so i need to buy a panel of at least 10 watts is that correct?
IMO, if you are thinking of winter stowage as well as now then yes.
A 100w panel really needs a charge controller. If its connected to a fairly well charged battery with the sun we have now it could overcharge and boil the battery dry.
A cheapy one will work OK for your situation. They are not as efficient as an expensive one but good enough if there is plenty of sun.
If your using it in the winter then connect the panel directly to the battery to get the most power from it.
I had a pair of 25w panels last august and it topped up my battery within a couple of hours (with the sun like it is now).
Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 21/7/2016
A 100w panel really needs a charge controller. If its connected to a fairly well charged battery with the sun we have now it could overcharge and boil the battery dry.
A cheapy one will work OK for your situation. They are not as efficient as an expensive one but good enough if there is plenty of sun.
If your using it in the winter then connect the panel directly to the battery to get the most power from it.
I had a pair of 25w panels last august and it topped up my battery within a couple of hours (with the sun like it is now).
No panel over about 10 Watts should be used without a controller whatever time of the year. It is not a case of getting more power from it but regulating things to get power only when needed otherwise the battery will be damaged.
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Topic: Solar panel charger
