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Old 05-18-2012, 03:57 PM   #1
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Is This Solar Panel Good For The Job?

For the solar experts out there, I have a solar panel and accompanying charge controller that puts out 19.5 volts at 1.2 amps in full sunlight. Is this setup good for keeping a charge on my two 6v batteries (within a reasonable length of time<g>).

Doug
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Old 05-18-2012, 08:35 PM   #2
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Re: Is This Solar Panel Good For The Job?

1.2 amp for an hour is 1.2 amp hours, if your battery is 100 Ah and discharged to 50% you need 50 Ah to fully charge it. You would be lucky to get 10 Ah a day in perfect conditions. Batteries should not be charged at more than 15 volts. You mentioned a charge controller, assuming it regulates the voltage down to good 12V battery levels you may get more Ah than mentioned earlier. You would need a battery monitor that tracks Ah to know the production levels of your setup.

I have a 140 watt panel @ 24 Volts with a mppt controller and it will generate 6 to 10 Ah per hour during the middle of the day. unless you move the panels often to keep the pointed at the sun there are only a few hours in the day where you get full power harvest.
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Old 05-18-2012, 09:46 PM   #3
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Re: Is This Solar Panel Good For The Job?

I have an 80 watt solar panel rated at 4.66 amps (in ideal conditions) and dual 6 volt batteries and find I don't have to really think about power. Even with overcast conditions I find that my battery is at a 100% by early afternoon.

Barry
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Old 05-18-2012, 09:52 PM   #4
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Re: Is This Solar Panel Good For The Job?

I also have a couple of 12V, 3 amp panels good for about 40 watts in full sunlight. Problem is, I don't have a charge controller that will handle that much power. Mine only goes up to about 23 watts. So, I guess I won't bother hooking the other one up. Pretty hard to keep the two six volt batteries charged with that setup.

Doug
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Old 05-28-2012, 11:34 PM   #5
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Re: Is This Solar Panel Good For The Job?

I read this forum regularly, but the only time I get fired up enough to post is when people dis the panels! I have the factory installed panel and dual 6V batteries, and could not tell you how many amp hours, or watts or controller that I have. I can tell you that in two years we have spent 72 nights in our trailer, and we have never had to worry about our batteries. Last weekend we spent three nights in the Rockies, with freezing temps. and snow one night. The furnace fan ran a lot. Each morning I would check the battery and typically it would be down to 65%. Regardless of sun or cloud, the batteries would be between 85% and 100% by dusk. It's simple. They work.
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