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Solar panel query.
patman99
Posts: 8,532 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Not quite sure where to post this, but here goes.
I have a 12volt/12watt solar panel (the sort that has three different leads that can be plugged-in to allow you charge your car via cigar lighter, direct to the battery via crocodile clips or by hard-wiring). Measured it today and it shows as generating 27volts. !!!!!! is going on?.
I dare not use it to keep the car battery charged whilst it sits on the drive up for sale as I don't want to fry the battery.
I have a 12volt/12watt solar panel (the sort that has three different leads that can be plugged-in to allow you charge your car via cigar lighter, direct to the battery via crocodile clips or by hard-wiring). Measured it today and it shows as generating 27volts. !!!!!! is going on?.
I dare not use it to keep the car battery charged whilst it sits on the drive up for sale as I don't want to fry the battery.
Never Knowingly Understood.
Member #1 of £1,000 challenge - £13.74/ £1000 (that's 1.374%)
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Member #1 of £1,000 challenge - £13.74/ £1000 (that's 1.374%)
3-6 month EF £0/£3600 (that's 0 days worth)
0
Comments
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You are measuring the open circuit voltage. The quoted 12W will be the maximum output power and a charge of less than 1A will not fry your car battery. Measure the current flowing when it is connected to the battery.:doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:0
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I was measuring the voltage, not the wattage.
I have used the same multimeter on it before and got 11.6 volts. Admittedly this was under indoor lighting rather than in the sun, but was not expecting such a high reading.Never Knowingly Understood.
Member #1 of £1,000 challenge - £13.74/ £1000 (that's 1.374%)
3-6 month EF £0/£3600 (that's 0 days worth)0 -
Not quite sure where to post this, but here goes.
I have a 12volt/12watt solar panel (the sort that has three different leads that can be plugged-in to allow you charge your car via cigar lighter, direct to the battery via crocodile clips or by hard-wiring). Measured it today and it shows as generating 27volts. !!!!!! is going on?.
I dare not use it to keep the car battery charged whilst it sits on the drive up for sale as I don't want to fry the battery.I was measuring the voltage, not the wattage.
I have used the same multimeter on it before and got 11.6 volts. Admittedly this was under indoor lighting rather than in the sun, but was not expecting such a high reading.
Yes I can read.
A multi-meter in inexperienced hands is pointless!
Measure the current flowing when it is connected to the battery - you may be lucky to get 500mA charge current!:doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:0 -
Hooked-up the panel and it worked as it should. No fried wiring in the car.
500mA would be a good charge rate anyway. When you consider watts/volts=amps, with a 12V panel rated at 12watts, the max ampage would only be 1 amp anyway, so no chance of blowing a fuse.Never Knowingly Understood.
Member #1 of £1,000 challenge - £13.74/ £1000 (that's 1.374%)
3-6 month EF £0/£3600 (that's 0 days worth)0
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