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DarkSkySeeker's avatar
DarkSkySeeker
Explorer
Jan 14, 2020

Solar charge current

I've read about solar charging systems, and am impressed when the owner boasts of the current generated. What I don't understand is how a system that generates 20-50+ amps doesn't fry the batteries. In these high current systems, is the charge being passed through a bank of batteries in parallel so each battery sees reasonable current?

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  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2020
    DarkSkySeeker wrote:
    If I had a big array and one battery, the charge controller would limit the 50+ amps to perhaps 4 amps to the one battery?
    That's what a decent controller is designed to do. As said above, they're just like any other charger.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jan 14, 2020
    DarkSkySeeker wrote:
    I've read about solar charging systems, and am impressed when the owner boasts of the current generated. What I don't understand is how a system that generates 20-50+ amps doesn't fry the batteries. In these high current systems, is the charge being passed through a bank of batteries in parallel so each battery sees reasonable current?
    Same way your 55 amp converter does not damage the battery or your 130 amp alternator does not burn out your vehicle battery.

    Just like any charger... the voltage is controlled and as the battery comes up to the same voltage the amps taper off to zero at full.
  • red31's avatar
    red31
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2020
    Battery and/or bank of batteries will accept all they can until a voltage set pt is reached. Then the controller limits power to the battery to maintain the set pt voltage.

    High current into a small bank will cause the bank's voltage to rise quicker and then be limited by the constant voltage set pt.
  • DarkSkySeeker's avatar
    DarkSkySeeker
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2020
    2oldman wrote:
    Yeah, that's why it's there.

    So - here's a silly example.

    If I had a big array and one battery, the charge controller would limit the 50+ amps to perhaps 4 amps to the one battery?
  • DarkSkySeeker's avatar
    DarkSkySeeker
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2020
    2oldman wrote:
    The controller handles the current that's needed.

    Whazzat? The controller knows how much current to pass depending on battery capacity?

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