Solar Panels??
I would like to know what users look for in a solar panel, I am thinking about getting one but I am not sure what the out put should be. It would be used for charging my 12 v battery when we go off gr...
Forum Discussion
Shadow Catcher wrote:
...If you have the option high voltage panels in conjunction with a MPPT controller delivers more usable current...
Be careful to check the voltage the panels you are looking at against the voltage the regulator will handle - my MPPT regulator has strict warnings about not to exceed a certain voltage (which isn't very high in its case). My panels don't exceed that voltage, but they get close. So check the specifications before ordering.
Make sure you use good thick wire - thicker than you would expect to handle the current - this will reduce resistive losses in the cabling - you don't get that much power from solar, so you certainly don't want to be losing any.
In my case I found a good deal on a all-inclusive kit. It contained a cheapo Chinese-sourced PWM controller. I decided to go with this, then once I had run it for a couple of seasons and was happy with the solar I upgraded the controller.
Steve.
