Could someon explain to me how to figure out how big of a solar pannel you need to charge a power pac/battery in "x" number of hours? Thank you in advance, as I have no idea how to go about doing it...lol. As of right now I have a 1500watt power pack and it lasts 12 hours when running two lights and a radio the full time and off and on during that 12 hours it charged a cell phone, Eton radio and ran my lap top. I am using a 300 watt invereter from Canadian Tire. I plan of getting three deep cycle batteries as soon as I can, however, for now I would like to be able to solar charge the power pac and later on use the same pannels to charge the deep cycle batteries.
not sure where you are from but if near Calgary I have a friend there..Norm McGregor from Totally Green Energy Solutions 403-560-3965 totallygreenenergydotcom may be able to answer your questions
The charging time will be dependent on the batteries. Once you have them you can figure out the type, capacity and number of panels required. Just a note the 300W CT inverter produces a modified sine wave. I don't recommend using a modified sine wave inverter for any sensitive electronics unless you have to and have no other alternative. If you do it on a regular basis you will shorten the life of your devices.
Thanks ICRCC! I did not know that and I hate to screw up my laptop! My plan, once I get a few deep cycle batteries, is to only use the booster pack and the CT inverter for lighting. I noticed CT is now carrying bigger solar pannels, I kinda have my eye on the 60 watt pannel.
I'm doing all this from memory so someone else should check my guesswork.
Assuming you get a continuous 60w (good sun and all that) and it's at 12v that's (AxV=W) so 5 amps at 12v = 60w
5 amps per hr or 5A/hr or 5 amp/hours. Look at your battery for an A/hr rating. If it's 50A/hr you'll need 10 hours to charge it with that panel if it's making 60w the whole time .......... I think.
Just a note on Perfessers post. The method of calculation is correct A=W/V (60/12=5 amps). With solar panels there are three voltages that apply to panel that you should be aware of.
Nominal voltage (Vn) this is the voltage of the battery the panel is best suited for i.e. 12, 24 or 48 volts
Voltage of maximum power (Vmp) this is the maximum voltage available from the panel with a load attached. This is usually around 17 volts for a 12 volt unit.
Open circuit voltage (Voc) this is the maximum voltage available from the panel with no load attached. This is usually around 21 volts for a 12 volt unit.
So when a panel is advertised as a 60W panel you would assume that the voltage used in the calculation is the nominal voltage. However research will show the that the biggest complaint about CT solar panels is that they only produce about half the expected amps. For example using Vmp for the calculation you get 60/17=3.5 amps. Using Voc you get 60/21 = 2.8 amps. So which voltage do they use in their calculation? The answer is we don't know and it does not seem to be stated on any data sheet!
I have tested these panels and you can count on about 50% of the stated amps so use the value of 2.5 amps and it will be close. So if it is a 50A/hr battery would require 20 hours to charge but that is at peak sun. In Ontario at a latitude of about 45°North we get an annual average of approximately 3 3/4 hours of sunlight per day. So figure about 5 days to charge. Now you will fully discharge you battery but it will still take 5 days to produce 50A/hr form you panels. Also increase that number by 20% due to total inefficiencies in the system. So about 6 days in total. That is a big difference from 10 hours that you would expect from the simple calculations without all the applicable considerations.
ICRCC...thank you for the information again! That was a pile of good info, a pile I had to read a couple of times...lol! I think I may look elsewhere for a solar pannel, as I want to be able to charge within 10 hours or less.
Hey Moraguy check out the thread: http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=3004
Could someon explain to me how to figure out how big of a solar pannel you need to charge a power pac/battery in "x" number of hours? Thank you in advance, as I have no idea how to go about doing it...lol. As of right now I have a 1500watt power pack and it lasts 12 hours when running led light and a radio the full time and off and on during that 12 hours it charged a cell phone, Eton radio and ran my lap top. I am using a 300 watt invereter from Canadian Tire. I plan of getting three deep cycle batteries as soon as I can, however, for now I would like to be able to solar charge the power pac and later on use the same pannels to charge the deep cycle batteries.
Hello friend were you able to get exact information about solar panel..Even I am trying to set up own solar panel in my home so can you help me good tips
The target charge rate for any solar application is 10 per-cent....hence 220 amp hour bank 22 amp charging...this is a general rule and doesnt account for several factors that need to known to be accurate in the maths 😀