Solar Panels

Howdy All.
I am a bloke when it comes to solar panels, I think I need some Info.
Just Received my new 120watt panels from Victoria, They look great But I dont Know how to drive them. Set them up yesterday arvo in full sun, put a multi tester across it and Bingo, no perceived output
Does have to be conected to my fridge battery to show a reading.I would have thought the Multi tester should have shown something.
The supplier reckons this is the case, and never had any recalls.
Regards
Greg.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Rossc0 - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 12:09

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 12:09
Have you got the multitester on a high enough range ie >20V, as the panels will most likely put out more than this when open circuit.

Also try putting a 12V light across the output and see if it lights.

Cheers
Ross
AnswerID: 354512

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:34

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:34
Greg,

Connect the Panel's cable to a battery and then measure the input across the battery terminals.
You should get a reading of 14+ volts DC.

Some solar controllers require a load of some sort before they "open for business".

Also, make sure you have the multimeter set to DC voltage within the lowest range above 12 volts.

Bill

Bill


I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 354567

Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:49

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:49
Unless the Solar Panels have a built in regulator I wouldn't reccomend this. It could damage the panels, battery or both.

You Should get a Voltage of around 18 to 20 if it is a 12v cell or 34 - 26 if it is a 24 volt cell if there is no load. 13.8 - 14.2 if it is regulated.

More info on the panel and part number would be useful
0
FollowupID: 622730

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 08:18

Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 08:18
A solar panel is different to just about every source of DC around us - it's a constant-current source.

A car battery is a constant voltage source - whether I connect a tiny LED or a 100 watt bulb to it, it will put out 12 volts.

A 120 watt panel in sunlight will put out about 7 amps - whether you connect it to an 18 volt battery, a 12 volt battery, a 6 volt battery or a short-circuit.

A standard way to test a panel is to connect it directly to a multimeter set to 10 amps - the multimeter is effectively a short-circuit. DON'T try this with any other DC source you have !!!

The only reason for having a regulator is to stop charging the battery and damaging it when the battery is full.

If you have the multimeter set DC volts 200, you should see more than 20 volts in sunlight.
0
FollowupID: 622786

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 08:22

Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 08:22
"put a multi tester across it "

- this implies across the panel, as you haven't mentioned any regulator.
- is this the case ???
0
FollowupID: 622787

Reply By: Best Off Road - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 20:12

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 20:12
Mine won't register a reading without anything connected, Morningstar regulator.

Cheers

Jim.

AnswerID: 354585

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 08:26

Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 08:26
Hi Greg

Can you post a photo of the regulator and wiring.

Most regulators need 7 to 9 volts to start energize. If you open the junction box you will get your 17V - 21V on the panel even with no battery connected. Once connected to the battery the voltage should be regulated to between 14.8V and 13.5V.



Regards

Derek from ABR
AnswerID: 354648

Reply By: GregF - Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 11:00

Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 11:00
Thanks Gents for all your Feedback.
THe Solar panels are 2x 60 Watt units supplied as a kit with a Plasma/electric regulater attached, from Kulkyne Kampers. After further consideration on the matter, a 6 Pak and much useful info provided by yourselves, I connnected the solar panels to Fridge Battery, and Praise the Lord it all worked. with the 40 Litre Engle cranked right up to Freeze and in the back of the Nissan at 40 Degrees, the multi tester displayed a constant 14.+ volts.
Next Question. This with the Solar Panels Disconnected.and Both
batteries, crank and fridge, Being Exide Extreme N70EXL 80 AMPHR. With the fridge on max and cooling it down, how quickly should the Multitester show a decrease in power.I Guess I just need to know that the Battery is in good order.
Thanks All
Regards Greg.
AnswerID: 354682

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 21:33

Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 at 21:33
Hi Greg

You should have an isolator fitted between the batteries so the fridge should be running off just the one 80 a/h battery.

On freeze (depending on the ambient temperature) I would expect the battery to be dead flat (11.8v) within 48 hours (or less)

Sorry but too many variables to give you exact voltage drop per hour.

Regards

Derek from ABR
0
FollowupID: 622877

Sponsored Links