Solar battery charger

[Trex101]

Ok, i just received my 2w solar battery charger. The question is, will it worked if i plug the charger directly into the car 12v socket or have to connect it directly to the battery through vs the 2 croc clip?

 

Cos my car require that you set the ignition switch to "Accessory" in order to close the circuit connection to that plug; which means that the car will drain more power than provided by the solar panel. Worst of all, you may also need to leave the key in the car, as it is locked into position in the ignition switch. Maybe someone with electrical background can advice. Thanks

 

Edited August 3, 2009 by Trex101

[Bern2]

I think you might have to connect direct to battery as I don't think there is a closed circuit when it is in OFF position. One other thing is, the 2W panel must have sufficient voltage i.e. 14.6V to charge your car batt otherwise the reverse will happen and it will start to discharge your battery. It should also have a reverse diode to prevent accidental discharge of your batt.

[Trex101]

I used a volt meter and measure, direct sunlight can goes as high as 19v and cloudy/overcast sky around 15-16v. Will it damage the battery? cos the ah should be very small.

Edited August 3, 2009 by Trex101

[Starengine]

how to install the device? put the solar board on the roof or inside cabin?

and can share the damage? i m interested also.

[Kb27]

More than 15V is bad for the battery.

You could probably put a voltage regulator between the battery charger and the battery.

[Trex101]

It's placed inside the car and plug into my car 12v socket.... hmm... it looks like it quite useless unless i connect it vs the croc clip direct to battery since the circuit is open.

 

[Windchoco]

What does this device do?

[Trex101]

It's designed to trickle charge the battery, maintaining the battery voltage during long absence of driving.

[Bern2]

Ok that would be the open circuit voltage for the panel. Sounds ok. Battery will act as a capacitor and you will find that the closed circuit voltage will be around the 12v region while connected, hence the need for a reverse diode to prevent discharge. Ideally you should also include the voltage regulator, this prevents overcharging the battery if its full either through driving or from the trickle charger. Hope this helps.

[Snookium]

I used a volt meter and measure, direct sunlight can goes as high as 19v and cloudy/overcast sky around 15-16v. Will it damage the battery? cos the ah should be very small.

 

 

It is normal. The 19V is only when open circuit measurement using Multi-Meter however when there is a load it will charge your battery at ard 14V.

 

I also install one ten watt panel in my car with additional battery separated from the main battery circuit. My intention is to use till the main battery die then use the battery charged by solar panel to jump start.

 

It come with an additional DC regulator to be linked to the second battery in my boot therefore there will never be a reverse charging. Beside this, I also bought a DC-AC inverter for me to power up thing like laptop, a small 230V AC 19" LCD TV or many others small AC applicants.

 

Although i do not have any electrical degree or diploma but I gotten this accurate theory with the help of my supplier plus my research thr internet.

 

By the way DC is very easy as long as you still remember your O level calculation P(watt) = V(volt) X I(amp). That simple!

 

Till today, I had been to Thailand in those rural area whereby after 7pm is total pitch dark and not even street lamp installation are there to help setting up solar system. Solar Panel is a great invention and those villagers

 

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For your case your 2 Watt is only good enough for tickle charged. Remember to install a diode to prevent reverse charging if you did not install any DC controller or regulator.

 

[Satria_neo]

Yes, you can plug it to the lighter socket. Its connected to the batt.

 

However, 2W is quite little. I calculate it will take over 6Hrs just to produce 1AH (typical batteries are 50-60AH).

 

I think its probably good only if you are planning to go away for prolong periods and hence want to keep the batt fully charge. Else for daily or even weekly driving, its not needed.

[Caravan]

Sometimes you may have more than 1 cigarette socket. My cars has 3 total, 2 of which are permanently ON, only the front one is ON when the key is turned to ACC. So if you can find other sockets which are permanently ON, it should work.

[Yeobh]

This newly release car solar battery charger has a max output of 4watt ( 0.33 amp) . To me using it as a trickle charger is ok but definitely not for recovering charging.