Solar panel in the car

[Richard n Ann]

Not used the car for weeks so put the 5w solar panel in the windscreen.
The voltage was just slightly raised during the day for the first few weeks but over the last few days it's started shooting up to 14.5v for hours...

Is this going to dry the battery out? It only makes about 150ma in the windscreen.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Disconnected it now. Was at 14.7v ?
Don't know what that downward spike is. It does that sometimes..

 

[Lenny HB]

Good for a 5W but we have had an unusual amount of sunshine for the time of year, would still need 20W in the winter.

 

[scotzsue]

I got one for the doblo, it is now on the garage roof keeping John's bike topped up

 

[Richard n Ann]

I got one for the doblo, it is now on the garage roof keeping John's bike topped up

He needs an optimate 2 for that ?

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[Coolcats]

I use these with no problem

 

[Raul]

You could get a 5A cheap PWM regulator to avoid that excessive gassing and drying out.

 

[Richard n Ann]

You could get a 5A cheap PWM regulator to avoid that excessive gassing and drying out.

Yes I'd have to see what the quiescent current drain is though, on a cloudy day the controller might take more out than the panel puts in.

 

[Jev88]

When you say 14.7V - was this the output from your solar panel? Did you know you have disconnect it and let battery settle to see true actual battery voltage?

 

[Richard n Ann]

When you say 14.7V - was this the output from your solar panel? Did you know you have disconnect it and let battery settle to see true actual battery voltage?

It's the battery terminal voltage. It's settling down now but still has a surface charge.

12.85v

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[scotzsue]

He needs an optimate 2 for that ?

no idea what it is but it is doing the job ok