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lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2020/05/20 11:36] frater_secessus [Charging from solar panels] |
lifestyle:faq_solar_generator [2020/10/11 19:48] 127.0.0.1 external edit |
====Charging from solar panels==== | ====Charging from solar panels==== |
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Charging these devices from solar panels will probably be [[electrical:solar:output|slower than you might expect]]. | Charging these devices from solar panels will probably be [[electrical:solar:output|slower than you might expect]]: |
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| * 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. |
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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. | |
* 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. |
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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-MPPT) devices 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. |
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both panel types)) | |
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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. |