Solar powered lighting kit - Page 4

 

First amp test from panels in. Load rated (12 volt fan) output at .9
amps per panel.

 


I removed the three screws from the D shaped plastic thingy where the wire
comes from and don't see any diode.  If there is one, where is it?  Or, is
there some test that can prove a diode is involved?

John

 



     Assuming that you are using a charge controller, a diode would probably be
redundant.

Vaughn

 

I'll yank one of the covers off Thursday and see if there's a diode in
there. I use a good charge controller so the point is moot for me but
I'll check and post photos of what I find even if there isn't one.

Word to the wise: don't use panels unless you have a charge controller.
Me, I don't like exploded batteries; I prefer fireworks.

Max
http://www.northernmichigansolar.com
http://www.mcphotography.ws

 



My first solar project was a small panel and a battery for an electric
fence.  Nothing mentioned about a charge controller, although it was
suggested that I might want a diode.  I suppose the expectation was that
the electric fence would draw enough power that the battery would never
overcharge ;-(

I never had a battery explode, but then my panel is small.  I did boil all
of the water out of a few of them.  I thought they were freezing.  A $30
ICP charge controller lengthened the life of my battery by more than $30...

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA  38.8,-122.5