2amp 20v Solar Panel - Can it damage my battery? (1 Viewer)

[bajaphile]

I'll be camping in Mexico for a month in August and aquired a large 20V, 2amp solar panel I was planning on using to keep my battery charged and to help run an inverter(obviously not full time).

I wanted to know if this higher voltage and low amperage would fry a 12v battery? I know my friend has used similar setups without any problems.

Can it overcharge my battery or burn it, or will I be OK?

Thanks

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I'll be camping in Mexico for a month in August and aquired a large 20V, 2amp solar panel I was planning on using to keep my battery charged and to help run an inverter(obviously not full time).

I wanted to know if this higher voltage and low amperage would fry a 12v battery? I know my friend has used similar setups without any problems.

Can it overcharge my battery or burn it, or will I be OK?

Thanks

Open circuit voltage of ~20V is not uncommon and if you are using power there will be no problem.
On the flip side if you plan to leave it hooked up without power useage for a long period of time I would recomend a solar charger controller to prevent overcharging batteries when using solar panel. 7amp solar charger controller is a popular size and can be had for around $30. I use one on my 5amp solar panel set up and have been very happy.

 

[bajaphile]

Thank you for the reply!

I like the idea of using a solar charger controller. It would just make me feel safer. I imagine it would read battery voltage, and act like an automatic switch when it got too high? You mention amps. Is it reading amperage or voltage? I know that the amps max at 2 amps from my solar panel. The voltage is about 20 on average.

 

[Corey]

To be safe, go for a charger.
I am using the Brunton one.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-ou...-overlanding-trips-installed-6-27-2009-a.html

 

[Trollhole]

Solar Charge Controller — 7 Amp | Charge Controllers | Northern Tool + Equipment


A good one.
BatteryMINDer 12 Volt Solar Charger-Controller with Desulfator — Model# SCC180 | Battery Chargers | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Corey]

The Sunforce one looks identical to the Brunton one I have.
Just a different label on it, case is from the same mold.

 

[Bogo]

I'll be camping in Mexico for a month in August and aquired a large 20V, 2amp solar panel I was planning on using to keep my battery charged and to help run an inverter(obviously not full time).

I wanted to know if this higher voltage and low amperage would fry a 12v battery? I know my friend has used similar setups without any problems.

Can it overcharge my battery or burn it, or will I be OK?

Thanks

If it is 20V open circuit, panel not connected to anything, then any old charge controller will do. Some are better at utilizing all the available solar power, but they cost more. If the panel is 20V nominal with a load, then you need a MPPT style controller that can handle different battery and panel voltages. A MPPT controller in general will extract more out of the panel. Especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

This is the MPPT style controller I have on a couple panels at the farm. Morningstar SunSaver MPPT Solar Charge Controller. I have it charging a large lead-acid battery that powers a couple electric fencers. It would handle your panel easily and extract as much energy as possible out of it.

I also use this SunGuard 4.5 amp solar charge controller controller on a couple other solar fencer batteries. It is nice and cheap and reliable. It's also small. It does not have any fancy features so it doesn't extract all that can be out of a panel.

I think this is the MPPT unit my brother has on his popup trailer. SunGuard 4.5 amp solar charge controller. It works nicely. With a 120W panel we had all the power we needed to run out laptops in the evening and to provide lighting.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Yep, just use a charge controller.

They also protect from draining/reverse while no sun charge occurring at night.

We use a Sunsei from West Marine...