I am a neophyte when it comes to solar charging. So I have a portable solar charger about the size of a keyboard and it appears to put out 24 volts when placed in the Sun. Is it safe or how can I use it to charge my handful of battery operated devices. Like the cell phone, or a flashlight, or even a battery operated power tool. Thanks
Help with Solar Charger
- Thread starter SWR
- Start date
woodsy
Buckeye
Didn't it come with instructions? Got it used at a tag sale?
That size collector would generate very little energy, plus a specific adapter would need to go between the charger and the batteries.
That size collector would generate very little energy, plus a specific adapter would need to go between the charger and the batteries.
First of all connecting your solar panel directly to a battery will kill it.
Secondly to SAFELY charge ANYTHING you MUST have a Solar Charge Controller (also called a CC). They are available in small wattage models with USB outputs BUT many have only USB version 1.x (S-L-O-W charge) outputs so it will take a looonnnggg time to charge most modern phones and power tools.
A decent CC will take whatever voltage a solar panel generates which can be over 20 volts DC to a safe level for USB or other batteries connected directly to the CC. For some 110 volt battery chargers you need an "inverter" which takes the direct current (DC) and converts it to AC.
IMO for your purposes a 80-100 watt (or better) "12 volt" (they come in much higher voltages which you do not need) solar panel will do what you want with a CC, stay away from flexible panels and buying better stuff is better than replacing destroyed stuff. Making a mobile unit is easy (see pic of mine) so you can charge a vehicle also.
Where in Fla are you? If you're in the south east I have a few 20 amp CC's that I'll not use and you're welcome to one.
Secondly to SAFELY charge ANYTHING you MUST have a Solar Charge Controller (also called a CC). They are available in small wattage models with USB outputs BUT many have only USB version 1.x (S-L-O-W charge) outputs so it will take a looonnnggg time to charge most modern phones and power tools.
A decent CC will take whatever voltage a solar panel generates which can be over 20 volts DC to a safe level for USB or other batteries connected directly to the CC. For some 110 volt battery chargers you need an "inverter" which takes the direct current (DC) and converts it to AC.
IMO for your purposes a 80-100 watt (or better) "12 volt" (they come in much higher voltages which you do not need) solar panel will do what you want with a CC, stay away from flexible panels and buying better stuff is better than replacing destroyed stuff. Making a mobile unit is easy (see pic of mine) so you can charge a vehicle also.
Where in Fla are you? If you're in the south east I have a few 20 amp CC's that I'll not use and you're welcome to one.
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PS, if you want emergency lighting, connecting an inexpensive small 30 amp hour (or better) deep cycle battery to a CC can give you at minimum some lighting at night.
Remember with solar backup power more is better than cheap and inadequate.
Remember with solar backup power more is better than cheap and inadequate.
Did you look into them when you bought it. It should have some sort of port for a cable to plug into.
coach
Hunter
I’m pretty sure 24 v into a cell phone will fry it. I think most phone chargers put out 5 v. I used a small 12 v solar panel to keep up a sail boat battery. No regulator, just a fuse connected to the battery. Never had a problem
Just a 'SWAG' that you'll need something to 'throttle' the solar panel output, a battery to store the power, and suitable charging apparatus for each device. Yeah, I know this just generates more questions but at least these questions may get you started down the correct path.
It is sort of like this
https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-maintainer-64251.html
It came with a storage shed I acquired along
with some other junk . It does work however and
puts out 24v DC
So guessing its not made to use a charge controller
and made to go straight into something
https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-maintainer-64251.html
It came with a storage shed I acquired along
with some other junk . It does work however and
puts out 24v DC
So guessing its not made to use a charge controller
and made to go straight into something
May not work for you. The average "12 volt" cell will actually put out around 18v, which the the controller will take down to around 13.5v. I don't know if the controller will bring 24v all the way down to that level. Although you could split the 24v voltage with a couple of resistors, that would leave you with 12v, which would drop lower in the system and not charge properly. If it is a true 24v then just give it to someone with a 24 or 48v system. BTW, while not as good as solid solar panels, flexibles can still last 5-10 years. The more expensive ones can last 30, and have better quality control- at a huge price difference.
While I have a generator for daytime emergencies, at night I use a solar charged 200 aH deep cycle AGM type RV/marine battery ( NOT LITHIUM). It can power my gas hot water furnace, chest freezer, fridge, and a few lights all night ( The furnace just uses a pilot spark, the fridge and freezer just come on sporadically). My whole system cost under $500.
While I have a generator for daytime emergencies, at night I use a solar charged 200 aH deep cycle AGM type RV/marine battery ( NOT LITHIUM). It can power my gas hot water furnace, chest freezer, fridge, and a few lights all night ( The furnace just uses a pilot spark, the fridge and freezer just come on sporadically). My whole system cost under $500.
You'll need a solar charge controller. Something simple will work fine for a small setup like yours. Here's one: https://www.amazon.com/Controller-Tracking-Regulator-Display-Multiple/dp/B0CMPZPR6B.
It'll connect to your solar panel, and then you can plug in USB devices to charge. It'll also charge 12v batteries, which can be useful for portable power.
It'll connect to your solar panel, and then you can plug in USB devices to charge. It'll also charge 12v batteries, which can be useful for portable power.
CHEVYINLINE6
Blackhawk
I constantly see a ad for a solar generator. The ad keeps saying our electrical grid is under attack from China. Have not seen anything on the news about that ? When I look up where most solar generators are made, the printed answer is Asia. Hmmmmm.
CHEVYINLINE6.
CHEVYINLINE6.
pisgah
Buckeye
24 volts? Yeah, you can fry plenty of chips with that...
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