OT- sort of- solar battery stuff

[virtualbeing]

hopefully one of you electronic guru's can help.

just got a solar kit (2 actually). they are small, can produce 60watts in ideal conditions. But i am curious about the battery stuff. i am learning as i go though. i see that 12V deep cycle is better and gel might even be best.

i am curious about output watts. how do you know when you want more volts or more amps? increasing one is more efficient, while the other is more powerful....right? am i close? no ciGar? "not even in the same ball park" (Pulp Fiction). basically this will be a set up for charging a 12v car bat. but i see that as i am learning this paralells flashlight battery's. must be becuase it's all chemical energy? hmmm could be :naughty:

 

[shadowjk]

Multiply volts by amps to get watts.
watts = volts * amps

When your goal is to charge 12V batteries it's best to stick to nominal 12V panels.

For charging batteries you will need a charge regulator, they are made for solar kits specifically. If you have a small panel (4W or less), and a big battery (car battery size or bigger) you can make do without the regulator. A 60W (or two 60W?) panels will need the regulator. The regulator is for making sure you don't cook your batteries. If the panels start overcharging the batteries, they will produce explosive gas, and the batteries will wear out as well.

I'm sure people will say that you can rig up some contraption without a regulator, it might be possible, but it falls strictly under the "I know what I'm doing" category, so if your kit didn't include a charge regulator, be sure to get one.

 

[virtualbeing]

thanks. been reading and learning. found a decent soalr power forum. so at least it's on track.

amazing what batteries do- whether flashlight or car etc. no wonder i liked chemstry so much

too bad it takes a ton of solar energy just to charge a battery :duh2:

 

[hopkins]

:thinking:
I've heard that the 12volt deep cycle batteries used specially for golf carts are quite unique , being undamaged after substantial drainage. Unlike a regular car battery will be. The next step up are the Marine deep cycle type for electric trolling motors but with less life cycles than the golf cart type
What do the solar bloggers say?
Could you post their link? I'd like to check them out.

hopkins

 

[virtualbeing]

http://www.solarpowerforum.net/forumVB/index.php


i got some AGM bats at wallys today. low amphour, but longevity.

i like that golf cart idea though, hmmmmmmmmm:thinking:

 

[hopkins]

some battery life expectancy data:

* Starting: 3-12 months
* Marine: 1-6 years
* Golf cart: 2-7 years
* AGM deep cycle: 4-7 years
* Gelled deep cycle: 2-5 years
* Deep cycle (L-16 type etc): 4-8 years
* Rolls-Surrette premium deep cycle: 7-15 years
* Industrial deep cycle (Crown and Rolls 4KS series): 10-20+ years
* Telephone (float): 2-20 years. These are usually special purpose "float service", but often appear on the surplus market as "deep cycle". They can vary considerably, depending on age, usage, care, and type.
* NiFe (alkaline): 5-35 years
* NiCad: 1-20 years

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm#Lifespan of Batteries

 

[virtualbeing]

nice chart. very helpful.:thumbsup: