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wickedstang03's avatar
wickedstang03
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015

another solar question

So I dug out an old solar panel and tested it today its a 5W 24Volt (it was getting a steady 23.8-24v with late afternoon sun in colorado) trickle type panel.... will this help maintain a charged 12v battery set up (2 6v golf cart batteries wired in series) without the fear of over charging?

6 Replies

  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 22, 2015
    Hi,

    At 5 watts it isn't going to operate at a higher voltage than the battery bank.

    2oldman wrote:
    24v on a 12v battery? Doesn't sound like a good idea.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2015
    No, a 5 Watt panel is not even worth the bother. It can only put out less than half an amp in full sunlight. In reality it probably won't even put out a third of an amp for you.... this is barely enough to compensate for the battery internal leakage....if that. You really need something larger than a 5 Watt panel.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 22, 2015
    Hi,

    It may not be enough to equal the self discharge rate on the batteries. It certainly won't need a controller but you needs must make sure there is a diode to prevent the panel from draining the battery bank overnight.

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