Renogy Brand 30A Solar Charge Controller
In preparation for spending the upcoming winter in Baja boondocking on the beach with my little travel trailer and the pooch, I JUST finished putting together my very first solar panel - 100W Renogy w...
Forum Discussion
Mitch,
in almost any light, the panel should measure 18+v (disconnected, measured from the + to the -), looks like your's is rated Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.5V
Panels (magically) match the load voltage when connected so a panel with 22v connected to a 12.5v battery puts out 12.5v and as the battery volts go up (due to the current or watts), so does the panel's voltage.
If you know how to change your meter over to measure amps (this is where I burn up fuses from not setting the meter to measure amps), you can measure the current between the + and the - while disconnected (short circuit current), in bright light yours is rated Short- Circuit Current (Isc) 5.75A. Amps will vary directly with the strength of the light. No need to risk blowing meter fuses, if the Voc is high the panel likely works. Connect the panel directly to the battery and the battery voltage will increase!
Morningstar sunsaver is one mentioned here, I think folks like its charge profile, 10A min for your 100w panel http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-saver
Mine looks as cheap or cheaper than your's from a slow boat overseas.
in almost any light, the panel should measure 18+v (disconnected, measured from the + to the -), looks like your's is rated Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.5V
Panels (magically) match the load voltage when connected so a panel with 22v connected to a 12.5v battery puts out 12.5v and as the battery volts go up (due to the current or watts), so does the panel's voltage.
If you know how to change your meter over to measure amps (this is where I burn up fuses from not setting the meter to measure amps), you can measure the current between the + and the - while disconnected (short circuit current), in bright light yours is rated Short- Circuit Current (Isc) 5.75A. Amps will vary directly with the strength of the light. No need to risk blowing meter fuses, if the Voc is high the panel likely works. Connect the panel directly to the battery and the battery voltage will increase!
Morningstar sunsaver is one mentioned here, I think folks like its charge profile, 10A min for your 100w panel http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sun-saver
Mine looks as cheap or cheaper than your's from a slow boat overseas.
