What continuous output?

[acropolis22]

I know this is a bit "piece of string", but can anyone give me a steer on what output I should be seeing from my solar panel? It's a 150W panel linked to a Schaudt LR1218 regulator. How many amps should I be seeing at this time of year in the UK? Say at mid-day, if I check my battery monitor how many amps should it show approximately?

 

[ivorantony]

Totally depends on the battery state of charge, if it’s 100% it won’t show much at all,

 

[tonka]

As above, depends on the battery condition and what it needs.
If I went to mine now which has 2 panels (200w) i suspect it would be showing almost no amps as the batteries are already full.
On a strong sunny day my meter can show almost no amp but the voltage will rise to above 12.7 volts so i know the panel is working.

 

[Lenny HB]

You need to discharge your batteries down to about 80% to see what is happening.

At this time of year a couple of hours either side of midday I would expect 10-11 amps on a perfectly clear sunny day. Slightly hazey even when you can't see the haze will reduce the output.

 

[acropolis22]

You need to discharge your batteries down to about 80% to see what is happening.

At this time of year a couple of hours either side of midday I would expect 10-11 amps on a perfectly clear sunny day. Slightly hazey even when you can't see the haze will reduce the output.

I'd like to discharge the batteries, but the damn solar keeps them charged! Most days when I check the battery monitor, (whilst the van is in storage), I see about 0.25 amps going in.

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[Lenny HB]

I'd like to discharge the batteries, but the damn solar keeps them charged! Most days when I check the battery monitor, (whilst the van is in storage), I see about 0.25 amps going in.

That is because they are fully charged.

 

[pappajohn]

I'd like to discharge the batteries, but the damn solar keeps them charged

Throw a blanket over the panel, sit down and watch a few hours TV then, remove blanket and check charge

 

[tonka]

You can lend our air fryer and the wifes hairdryer..
That will soon bring your batteries down..

 

[acropolis22]

Throw a blanket over the panel, sit down and watch a few hours TV then, remove blanket and check charge

I'll have to buy a TV first. But I get your point.

 

[The Wino]

If its hard to tell the charge rate because the battery is constantly fully charged doesn't that mean it's always fully charged so whatever it's putting out is fine?

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[John Barrett]

If its hard to tell the charge rate because the battery is constantly fully charged doesn't that mean it's always fully charged so whatever it's putting out is fine?

Agreed. Why look for trouble? The regulator is dead reliable.

 

[funflair]

Assuming the battery needs it as everybody has said then 10A on a good day, the hottest days are not always the best days for solar though as it can actually be quite hazey.

 

[JockandRita]

I know this is a bit "piece of string", but can anyone give me a steer on what output I should be seeing from my solar panel? It's a 150W panel linked to a Schaudt LR1218 regulator. How many amps should I be seeing at this time of year in the UK? Say at mid-day, if I check my battery monitor how many amps should it show approximately?

You don't need to throw a blanket over the panels. OMG, how draconian is that?

As advised, if not taking a charge, then your batteries are most likely fully charged.

Personally, I'd rather pull the fuse to the solar controller, and as suggested, operate power items down to 80% of battery power. Replace the fuse, and you will immediately see what your solar panels are pumping in, via the solar controller.

At this time of year here in the UK, don't expect too much in the way of Amps, even with MPPT controllers. They are definitely better, but not infinite if the weather is against you. ☹

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[acropolis22]

As people have said, it does appear the panel is doing it's job. I'm just being paranoid. We're off to Scotland in a few weeks, so we'll get a chance to assess things properly. Although I guess that's not the ideal place for a test of a solar set-up.

 

[drpeej]

As people have said, it does appear the panel is doing it's job. I'm just being paranoid. We're off to Scotland in a few weeks, so we'll get a chance to assess things properly. Although I guess that's not the ideal place for a test of a solar set-up.

Daylight is longer

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[The Wino]

As people have said, it does appear the panel is doing it's job. I'm just being paranoid. We're off to Scotland in a few weeks, so we'll get a chance to assess things properly. Although I guess that's not the ideal place for a test of a solar set-up.

Depends on how much of the sun is cut out by the midge cloud

 

[Speve]

If it ain’t broke don’t mend it