solar question...

[puddle hoppers inc.]

hi, i had this pathetic pond solar airator which died a death this summer, but has an 8 x 4 solar panel with it. i have run a voltage check and it is 2.3v constant output. can i just pop croc clips on this and keep my caravan battery topped up? and do you think 2.3v would charge a near dead leisure battery up?
seems a shame to bin it if that part is still working . cheers.

 

[jims-terrano]

Don't think so. Maplins sell some little panels that keeps ya battery topped up for about a tenner I think. I know two or three people with them and they say that they seem ok.
Might be wishfull think on their part I dont know but 2.3v wont be enough to charge a 12v battery

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

As said, 2.3V will do nothing on a 12v battery, and if it hasn't got a blocking diode, will actually run the battery even lower.

You would need 7 or 8 of them, to even think of trying to charge it.

 

[jims-terrano]

Hmm several might make a nice electric fire from a car battery:augie

 

[puddle hoppers inc.]

thanks for replies. it was worth an ask i suppose. i may look into the maplins jobbies, pay for themselves over winter. cheers. :thumb2

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

thanks for replies. it was worth an ask i suppose. i may look into the maplins jobbies, pay for themselves over winter. cheers. :thumb2

Do be careful with the cheap solar panels, they do not live up to what is written on the paper, as those figures are obtained under perfect conditions, which we just do not get in this country, even in the summer.

Generally you are lucky to get half of what they say out of them. Also watch out when putting them behind glass (E.G. on the dash board), as it also reduces their efficiency even more. Then of course in the winter, you get much less day light as well.

 

[puddle hoppers inc.]

oh, i was hoping to pop it in caravan window as its always in the sun :nenau
maybe pop it on the roof instead.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

oh, i was hoping to pop it in caravan window as its always in the sun :nenau
maybe pop it on the roof instead.

You can stick it in the caravan window, just allow for the fact that it won't be as efficient. Caravans tend to have Plastic windows, which from what I understand are not as good at filtering the light as Glass ones, as a lot have UV filters built in.

Basically, putting it behind glass will cut it's efficiency by about 2/3rds, and any shadow even more.

If you are only using it to keep the battery topped up, it should be fine, but don't expect to be taking power from the battery and then charging it back up, unless you are going to buy a good large panel.

 

[solarman216]

all the small solar panels available are not made to withstand the weather, so most will only last a year or so, the type made for house roof mounting are are much better made and you can expect 20 years plus from them, solar is one of my businesses, Rick

 

[Mobieus_uk]

2.3v will charge it exactly up to that 2.3v so use at all, you need about 14v to charge a car battery up