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John R. Mrotek 
Silver Level
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Points: 180
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 Topic: solar battery chargers
Posted: 16 Jun 2010 at 11:21am |
How can I test to see if my solar battery charger is producing energy into
my 12 volt battery?
John R. Mrotek
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split51
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Guthrie, OK
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Posted: 16 Jun 2010 at 11:33am |
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I have not been around a solar charger but couldnt you hit it with a voltmeter to see.
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M Diesel
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Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: 16 Jun 2010 at 12:56pm |
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They don't really make all that much juice, which means voltage is doable but might be a bit tough to observe ifn a large battery is connected. However measuring amperage in one of the charger leads would be easy enough.
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john(MI)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: SE MI
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Posted: 16 Jun 2010 at 1:41pm |
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It should put out 12 volts, but it's the current you are interested in. You should be able to read 12 volts anywhere in almost any light. At least the ones we have work that way.
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D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446
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Wendell(OK/TX)
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Posted: 17 Jun 2010 at 12:21am |
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If it's one of the little 1.5 watt panels, it will put a new meaning to "trickle charge". Used one on a tractory battery and it brought it from 11.5 to 12.5 volts in just over a week. Made a decent battery maintainer though until it got broke. Best thing to do is check it with a voltmeter or multimeter, do it with the panel only connected to the meter, not with the battery connected or you will get a false reading. As long as it is putting out 12+ volts then it will charge, just hard to say how fast. Good luck
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
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Posted: 17 Jun 2010 at 2:50am |
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At full sun, with a regulating charge adapter the unit we use at our farm for cabin power delivers 13.8v and 2.3 amps. I bought the both of them from Northern tool. You will get little charge if it cannot get above true battery voltage or 2.2v per cell or 13.2 for 12v and 6.6 for a 6v, same goes for generator charging off the engines.
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