Solar charger....

Nodge68 · Jan 5, 2021

kermit_rr said:
I've got a 10A pwm and a10A mppt, both by the same manufacturer, the mppt uses up to 4mA more than the pwm

Really 4mA, that's impossibly low. The microcontroller would consume more than 4mA, let alone any LEDs, LCDs, voltage divider resistors. All MPPT charge controllers I've looked at over the last couple of years consume 60 to 150 mA from the battery, which is nothing like as low as 4mA.

My PWM5 kits used 1mA from the battery, and that's about the lowest I've ever seen for functional charge controller.

brianp38dse · Jan 5, 2021

As the car port is along side the house why not pop a 240v socket through the wall and use a smart charger.

backinblack · Jan 5, 2021

I've had 2 of these in the wifes corsa since lockdown, one in the windscreen and one in the back window, car is parked down the side of the house in the shade. In summer I had about 13v and now down to around 12.3v. Both panels are connected to a single controller with a display so I can check the voltage through the window. BTW the car has only been started for a few minutes in the last 8 months. I also have a single panel for the L322 but that gets a bit more light.

Amazon product

Amazon product

Marmaduke · Jan 6, 2021

backinblack said:
I've had 2 of these in the wifes corsa since lockdown, one in the windscreen and one in the back window, car is parked down the side of the house in the shade. In summer I had about 13v and now down to around 12.3v. Both panels are connected to a single controller with a display so I can check the voltage through the window. BTW the car has only been started for a few minutes in the last 8 months. I also have a single panel for the L322 but that gets a bit more light.

Amazon product

Amazon product

Screenshot_20210106-052156_Free Adblocker Browser.jpg

kermit_rr · Jan 6, 2021

Nodge68 said:
Really 4mA, that's impossibly low. The microcontroller would consume more than 4mA, let alone any LEDs, LCDs, voltage divider resistors. All MPPT charge controllers I've looked at over the last couple of years consume 60 to 150 mA from the battery, which is nothing like as low as 4mA.

My PWM5 kits used 1mA from the battery, and that's about the lowest I've ever seen for functional charge controller.

You've got me now, you may well be right in only going off specs in the manuals. I'm going to have to try and measure now!!!

backinblack · Jan 6, 2021

@Marmaduke Not sure what you're getting at in your last post, unless you mean the pictures are missing on your screen. They are showing on my PC?

kermit_rr · Jan 6, 2021

backinblack said:
@Marmaduke Not sure what you're getting at in your last post, unless you mean the pictures are missing on your screen. They are showing on my PC?

unless they are pictures of snow, i'm seeing nothing too

Marmaduke · Jan 6, 2021

backinblack said:
@Marmaduke Not sure what you're getting at in your last post, unless you mean the pictures are missing on your screen. They are showing on my PC?

I'm only seeing what is shown in the pictures, a grey box with a sad face....

backinblack · Jan 6, 2021

That's strange, How about now?

Marmaduke · Jan 6, 2021

backinblack said:
That's strange, How about now?

View attachment 226995

I can see it now thanks

backinblack · Jan 6, 2021

I think they do a 50w version that is just 2 panels fastened together with hinges that may be cheaper.

Nodge68 · Jan 6, 2021

backinblack said:
I think they do a 50w version that is just 2 panels fastened together with hinges that may be cheaper.

I made my own folding panels, using hinges between 2 panels. I've a 20w + 20w and a 25w + 25w, which I built to charge my solar accumulator, for power when camping with the kids.

backinblack · Jan 6, 2021

I bought 1 originally then added another later but at the time they did a 50w panel/s that worked out cheaper. Looking at that series those windscreens look ideal for a panel in each.

timvega · Jan 18, 2021

Don't be afraid to spend more for quality mate. Also, I found the comments bellow really interesting that i ended up having tips for my own. lol

backinblack · Jan 18, 2021

I'm just testing this fold up one out, I only have 3 sections open in the picture so 45w, just opened it up to all 4 so in theory 60w. Max output is 6amps but if it manages 1 to 2amps in dull light I'll be happy.

rob1miles · Jan 20, 2021

I've not had much success under windscreens, seems windscreens have anti-UV coating that is very effective at cutting energy in sunlight. Report back on how it goes.

backinblack · Jan 20, 2021

At the moment it's crap as the sun travels down the side of the car and it's soooo cloudy it's just holding the battery voltage. As I have only just repaired the FBH I am testing the battery drain without it for a week and then I will try it again.

EDIT: It's a bit strange as the wifes corsa has 2 x 20w panels and is parked down the side of the house so gets even less light but is sitting at 12.3v

Solar charger....

Nodge68

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brianp38dse

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backinblack

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Marmaduke

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kermit_rr

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backinblack

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kermit_rr

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Marmaduke

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backinblack

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Marmaduke

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backinblack

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Nodge68

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