I need an off-grid, lightweight, solar LiPo charging solution for 4s 3300 batts. What capacity (watts) 12v solar panel would you need to run this?
849299
Sorry, I had to do a lot of research just to figure out what charger to get. I know nothing abut solar panels.
1528155
If you are out west, 400 AH @12 volts would be a good match. On the East coast, or in some place cloudy like the Pacific Northwest, you might want 600AH @ 12V. Since you want to use 6 Volt batteries, Trojan T-105 would be a good choice. Either 4 of these or six of these hooked up in pairs with a MPPT controller. However if you are asking this question, you might not be smart enough to wire these properly. Get an expert to help.
715693
Spare batteries or you could use something like this: Opteka BP-SC6000 Ultra High Capacity (6000mAh) Backup Battery Solar Charger with Faster Charging EcoPanel
1240624
Off grid 12v solar w/440ah reserve this unit would typically draw 5 amps when it cycles. DC power can be finicky, The better and shorter wiring or connection to your battery - battery bank, the better this unit will run. Try to use an independent or more direct source/circuit. Avoid plugging into a source already feeding other accessories. Also, make sure the vents are clear.Edit to add; 60-65 watts according to a dc amps to watts calc.
2233948
There are two types of charge controllers; PWM and MPPT. I have 3x 100w panels ran in parallel to triple my charge amperage. This maintains the panels at 12v, but triples the amperage. I have a 30a charge regulator, which is PWM. I have read, though, that MPPT is the newest and best charging technology available. The PWM regulators are cheaper, but you get what you pay for. My next charge regulator will definitely be a MPPT. Google it. You'll figure out the difference between to two. Just be sure that you size your regulator bigger than your solar panel array for room to grow, and so that you don't constantly put your charge regulator under too much stress from incoming amperage. Here's the charge regulator I purchased http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/46835087/789550567/TomTop-30A-12V-24V-Intelligent-LCD-PWM-Solar-Charge-Controller-Solar-Panel-Battery-Regulator/ListingDetails.html?_%24ja=tsid:13315|cat:46835087|prd:46835087&ef_id=Udt8FQAABKfxcsgO:20130709151438:s It works well, but now is starting to be a little troublesome with the display just after 9 months of use. Spend a little more money and get one that is MPPT, and make sure you have an LCD screen. It's nice to know the charge, draw, and basic voltage of your battery bank.
1783343
Solar panels are like generators, not batteries. The panels have dual usb output connectors. You can charge an external battery that has usb or microusb input with the proper cables. Expect to get about 1.2-2.0 amps of charge rate with direct sunlight and a favorable angle (if the sun is low in the sky you will lose charge efficiency) two items will charge at a lesser rate. An Anker® 2nd Gen Astro3 12000mAh (4A Output) Portable Charger will charge at roughly 1.3 amps by itself. That will get 20-25% charge capacity of that external unit every 90-120 minutes of quality sunlight.
118014
For me, I am currently using a LifePo4 48Volt battery pack. However, I started with a 48Volt SLA pack, (or Lead Acid Battery). This will consist of 4 x 12v 10amh batteries connected in "series". You can use 4 x 12v 12amh as well or, 4 x 12v 8amh, if you want something lighter in weight, but any of these configurations will work. It really depends on the distance you travel and how much weight you want your bike to carry. I prefer Lithium batteries for weight distribution, but Lead Acid works fine for starting out and it's a much cheaper option. With either option, be sure to get a smart charger with low amps. You do not want anything that provides a fast charge. Always think in terms of deep cycle charging. If you need any recommendations, just reply to this post. I hope this helps.
2040396
We also have solar panels available at very good prices with compatible connectors at LionEnergyOutlet.com. I would specifically recommend this one: http://www.lionenergyoutlet.com/products/100W-Folding-Solar-Panel-12V-(Refurbished)
994738
SPC Racing 7200 mAh, 2S hardcase is a great battery and not too expensive. Find a balacing lipo charger capable of sourcing 5-7 amps and you'll be set. Traxxas Lipo chargers are fine.
1579316
I charge mine with the Anker 14watt solar panel. You can also charge it using a usb cord. Just connect it to a computer or any other usb port that has the ability to charge. Great battery.
1637053
Yes. I have the Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Panel, which puts out 7 watts of power and I charge these batteries with it via the 12v attachment and it works great!
2042834
To run off-grid, you need batteries and a compatible AC-coupled inverter (maintains 120/240 AC voltage and stores excess power from solar system in the batteries) matched to the batteries. This is suitable if the solar panels are far from the batteries. Another approach requires solar charge controller(s) DC-coupled to batteries and inverter to supply your house power.
1924542
Yes, it worked perfectly and my solar configuration consisted of an inexpensive solar charger, a 100 watt solar panel and a single marine 700 amp battery. The computer system hardly drew enough energy to lower the available amp hours after a couple hours of use. Power Bright APS-12 has performed perfectly for the past year and is used on a daily basis.
1969168
Yep. Limit for a 12V system is 260W. As it's mppt you can run up to 150V and it will break down to feed the 12V converting the excess voltage into amperage so you have to consider limits on that end. I've run a pair of 145W in series but it would clip the power at 261W. Presently have a pair of 100W in series feeding 36-38V no problem charging 2 225Ah 6V batteries.
616969
This is why I hooked my 520 watts of panels in series so you halve the amperage. I can add another 2 panels in the future and still keep it under 30 amps. Remember too that the charge controller can charge a normal 12v battery bank, that's what mine is. I recommend making a 24v panel setup.
1075498
That is a great question. The short answer is yes, if you have the right solar panel. The device is furnished with a 12 volt 2 amp switching power supply. According to the product description on Amazon, "[the] Included 100-240V AC adapter recharges the battery in just 4-5 hours." In order to match that charging time, your solar panel would need to provide 12 volts at 2 amps. I wouldn't recommend that you go much above 12 volts, but you should be OK with a nominal 13.6 auto battery charging source. I don't know if there is a boost regulator in the Anker box or not, so I don't know the minimum voltage that will actually charge the device. But if you can get close to 12 volts, your charging time should be proportional to the current your solar charger can supply. My US$ 0.02. John
1332100
The charge control can handle up to 7A. Your 30 watt panel puts out ~1.68A at high noon. You should be fine with one charge controller charging two or more batteries and it would require more charge time. Just make sure you hook up your batteries correctly. Personally and for convenience I would much prefer to get two charge controller with two solar panels for the two batteries so that I could avoid having to move and or reconnect the batteries. A larger solar panel can would benefit you quite a bit if you need to drawn power from the battery each night. Hope you are using deep cycle batteries.