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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator

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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2020/05/20 11:36]
frater_secessus [Charging from solar panels]
lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2020/05/20 11:40]
frater_secessus [Charging from solar panels]
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-  * in the absence of an MPPT controller((sometimes present on higher-end devices)) [[electrical:solar:output#charge_controller_type|panel output is hamstrung by battery voltage]].  You may see a device listing 60w max input but specifying a 100w panel for use with it, and now you know why. +  * in the absence of an [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|mppt controller]]((sometimes present on higher-end devices)) [[electrical:solar:output#charge_controller_type|panel output will be hamstrung by battery voltage]].  You may see a device listing 60w max input but specifying a 100w panel for use with it, and now you know why. 
   * devices with 3S lithium cells will hamstring the panels even worse((3S Li voltage can be as low as 9v, and maxxes around 12.5v.))   * devices with 3S lithium cells will hamstring the panels even worse((3S Li voltage can be as low as 9v, and maxxes around 12.5v.))
   * long wire runs (as seen with portable panels set outside) result in voltage drops   * long wire runs (as seen with portable panels set outside) result in voltage drops
   * sunlight is limited to a certain number of hours.  Some units require more hours of charging than there are hours of sunlight in a day.    * sunlight is limited to a certain number of hours.  Some units require more hours of charging than there are hours of sunlight in a day. 
  
-Poly panels will typically [[http://bdp.mousetrap.net/index.php/2019/11/13/pwm-loves-poly/|make more power]] on norma non-MPPT-equipped devices due to poly's lower voltage / higher current.  Devices with internal [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|mppt controllers]] will use both panels equally well because they decouple battery and panel voltages.  +Poly panels will typically [[http://bdp.mousetrap.net/index.php/2019/11/13/pwm-loves-poly/|make slightly more power]] on normal (non-MPPTdevices due to poly's lower voltage / higher current.  Devices with internal MPPT controllers will use both panels equally well because they decouple battery and panel voltages. 
- +
-both panel types))+
  
 Note:  it is possible to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXNW-4fNZVk|place a small DC-DC converter between the panel and input port]] to get the panel up near max power.  Doing so will make it even more important to manually disconnect the panel when charging is complete. Note:  it is possible to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXNW-4fNZVk|place a small DC-DC converter between the panel and input port]] to get the panel up near max power.  Doing so will make it even more important to manually disconnect the panel when charging is complete.
lifestyle/faq_solar_generator.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/05 18:50 by princess_fluffypants