Solar panel open cct voltages 33-45volts! I really need a regulator now!!
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 14:56
ThreadID:
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Leroy
Hi Guys,
A while back I got a panel and it's o/c voltage is 18-19v so I didn't worry about a regulator and directly connected it to the battery.
Now I just aquired 4 older solar panels. 2 different brands 2 put out 32-33v and the other 2 put out 45-47v. Is this normal???
Now if it is then i need a regulator. What do people recomend? I like the look of the Plasmatronics but dont know that I want to spend $300 on the reg but I just got 2 new AGM batteries and I don't want to stuff them either! Thinking at least a 2 stage would be ok but is there a reasonable priced 3 stage?
I know we get lots of solar/batt questions so I would appreciate your experinces. I tried searching and was looking for a specific post in '03 and put the search dates in but kept comming up with posts from '02!
Leroy
Reply By: SA_Patrol - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:15
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:15
You can buy cheaper regulators at about $30 but it won't give you any digital readouts.
AnswerID:
219681
Reply By: Wingwang - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:32
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:32
there is a s/h Plasmatronics for sale on the website
AnswerID:
219684
Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:40
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:40
What about a Stecca? Digital readout I have one of these. Happy with it.
or Sunsaver. Had one of these until until I got a Stecca. Still got it on the camper
for when I plug the panels into the camper batt to give it a charge.
AnswerID:
219685
Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:50
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:50
Another vote for the Stecca. Not too badly priced and a range of useful info on the battery.
FollowupID:
480245
Follow Up By: Leroy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 18:10
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 18:10
Steca's look ok but can't find max input voltage spec. And seeing I may have panels for a 24 system I need to look for a suitable reg.
Leroy
FollowupID:
480270
Reply By: Leroy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:57
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 15:57
Thanks for the info on the regulators but the open ircuit input voltage is spec. at 26v. The panels I have are 33-45volts.
Leroy
AnswerID:
219688
Reply By: Sign-man - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 16:44
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 16:44
Check out Trader on here for BPSolar regulator/ monitor,,
AnswerID:
219695
Follow Up By: Leroy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:40
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:40
thanks for that. I don't like the way the trader section is now so I don't look so often.
Leroy
FollowupID:
480265
Reply By: avro - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:21
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:21
The bad news is that these are designed for a 24 volt system. I think the output voltage will be too high for a 12 volt system regulator, and besides you will be wasting over half the output (in watts/hour).
Regards avro
AnswerID:
219705
Follow Up By: Leroy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:39
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:39
ah surprisingly this is what I don't mind hearing. I also aquired 24 - 2v cells to add to the big solar experiment. Do you know of a reg that is suitable? I haven't looked into
inverters yet! One step at a time.
Leroy
FollowupID:
480264
Follow Up By: Robin - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 18:59
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 18:59
Leroy
As Avro said they are 24v panels and regulators are easy to find but you may be better off to unload the panels, because you will forever have poor performance
and the regulator will waste most of the available power.
If you know what you doing it may be possible to break into the panel and re-wire the cells for a 12v system , but there is a 24v market and I'd consider selling them.
Robin Miller
FollowupID:
480284
Follow Up By: Leroy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 19:11
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 19:11
Robin, I thought panels were panels. It looks like how wrong was I! Not sure that I could rewire as they seem to be fairly
well sealed. If I sold them, where would I advertise?
Leroy
FollowupID:
480288
Follow Up By: Robin - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 20:19
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 20:19
Must admit my first choice wouldn't be to open them up as there value would be significantly reduced.
Actually I specify a few 24V panels , but as to selling them they are the 2nd most popular voltage panel out there and are often used in vans,trucks and commerical gear because they allow longer power runs and some of those vehicles are 24v even the odd early 4wd.
Believe the are pretty hot item in the alternate power world to (as per
rainbow power company types, www rpc com au).
I suspect there would even be interest from this site.
P.S. Didn't comment before but , but you referred to another voltage as
well think 33v, this is a bit strange unless damaged or not a proper reading for some reason.
Might pay to double check that one
Robin Miller
FollowupID:
480307
Reply By: avro - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:52
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 17:52
Yes there are 24v system regulators, but sorry I have no details on them. I find Jaycar is a good source of
inverters, and have the 240 volts fully insulated from the 240 (many others do not).
Regards avro
AnswerID:
219708
Reply By: Mainey (WA) - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 18:56
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 18:56
Leroy, how much money are you prepared to spend either replacing your new AGM's on a regulator basis or on a decent regulator ?
(I ask only because I s*ll solar panels, regs and batteries etc)
AnswerID:
219721
Follow Up By: Leroy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 19:08
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 19:08
don't get me wrong, I'm not jewish but I didn't think it necessary to spend $300+ on a reg. I gather you meant regular and not regulator. But as someone posted above I may have the wrong panel for the job.
Leroy
FollowupID:
480287
Reply By: _gmd_pps - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 20:31
Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 20:31
The only regulator which can step down to 12V
and utilise the full power (wattage) of the panel
is the OutBack MX-60 .. all other regulators are
not using voltages higher than 14Volt .. they usually just
burn the rest in heat ..
the MX-60 is around a 1000$A and US$500 in the US ..
I have
mine from the US ..
I run 2 200 Watt panels on a MX-60 and 4 6V 220AH batteries
" target="EOF" class="lbg">www.outbackpower.com/MX60.htm
good luck
gmd
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Leroy - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 23:03
Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 23:03
it looks the goods but the price! Not sure what to do now!!
Leroy
FollowupID:
480625
Reply By: Steve M - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 19:31
Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 19:31
Keep in mind that you need a reg that has a adjustable output voltage as AGM's can be overcharged at standard car regulator voltages. I think it needs to be less than 14v
Steve M
AnswerID:
219978