My solar panel puts out 18 volts but I need to charge my 12 volt battery with the cell. Will this controller work?
1004016
On a bright day my solar panel can get to 19volts and it's connected to this Controler. Since I do not know what type or size of solar cell you have could make a difference. I would contact the manufactures of your equipment.
1004017
Do you mean your solar panel puts out 18 Watts or 18 Volts? The 10 Amp Solar Charge Controller is designed to charge 12 Volt Deep Cycle Batteries. If you only have a 18 Watt Solar Panel recommend upgrading to a larger panel.
1004018
Yes, that's what it is made for. The controller will charge the battery until it gets to around 13.7vdc and then rest until the battery voltage falls to less than 12.7vdc and the charger will again start to charge the battery and so on. The fully charged voltage of most 12vdc batteries is 12.7vdc.
1004019
Yes. Volts are like "pushing power". Your 18 volts can push into your 12-volt battery. The question is, how does your battery stop the pushing once it's full? That's what the charge controller is for -- once your battery is full, the controller steps off or cuts off the voltage. Just make sure that you pick a controller that can handle the amps -- a controller rated at 10 amps would be a poor choice for a solar panel or panels over 110-120 watts. (To figure out how many amps you need, divide the watts by roughly 11 and give yourself a safety margin.) These smaller controllers are great for a single 50-watt panel. Yes. Volts are like "pushing power". Your 18 volts can push into your 12-volt battery. The question is, how does your battery stop the pushing once it's full? That's what the charge controller is for -- once your battery is full, the controller steps off or cuts off the voltage. Just make sure that you pick a controller that can handle the amps -- a controller rated at 10 amps would be a poor choice for a solar panel or panels over 110-120 watts. (To figure out how many amps you need, divide the watts by roughly 11 and give yourself a safety margin.) These smaller controllers are... » Read More Yes. Volts are like "pushing power". Your 18 volts can push into your 12-volt battery. The question is, how does your battery stop the pushing once it's full? That's what the charge controller is for -- once your battery is full, the controller steps off or cuts off the voltage. Just make sure that you pick a controller that can handle the amps -- a controller rated at 10 amps would be a poor choice for a solar panel or panels over 110-120 watts. (To figure out how many amps you need, divide the watts by roughly 11 and give yourself a safety margin.) These smaller controllers are great for a single 50-watt panel. « Show Less
981796
Hello Jennifer, Yes, the Guardian 12V Charge Controller will charge any 12V battery. The Guardian can handle a maximum of 90 Watts input. You can use 3 - 4 Boulder 30 panels with the Guardian to charge your 12v battery. Thank you for your interest - I hope we can help you - Denis, PrepareDirect
974745
That will work just fine. Just make sure your solar controller is rated for at least 10 amps and preferably 15 amps just to be safe.
317801
Your charge controller needs to be able to handle 48v input...Morningstar TriStar can, and the Renogy PWM 30 Amp w/LCD can also. Check out pvdepot.com and batterystuff.com-- both have good info for sizing your system correctly.
1450266
Without a charge controller battery life will be compromised, due to heat issues accidents may happen as well. MPPT type charge controller is most appropriate for any battery voltages ie; 12, 24 ..... Since this panel is 24v a PWM charge controller will work fine for 24v battery banks. Charge controller is highly recommended.
121290
Most larger, more powerful panels are 24-volt. A good charge controller will automatically step the 24-volt down to a 12-volt battery. I don't know off hand if the HQRP will do it -- it seems to say that it does, but you might want a more expensive controller, a MPPT controller. Also, if you have 150-watt+ solar panel, a 10-amp charge controller is too small, as you probably already know. You'll probably want a 20 or 30 amp.
1708384
All solar panels should use charge controllers. For this controller you need at least a 5-10 amp controller to support this panel.Let us know if you need any further help.Regards,AW
1293264
You don't give enough information to answer your question. You need to know the voltage and the distance. If you download the catalog from Backwoods Solar.com. It's free, it has a wire chart on page 51 so you can figure out the right wire for your site. This catalog has a lot of good information. You should have it. That's a lot of wattage for that controller. You might double check that. Dan
1316171
no, a charge controller must be between solar collector and the battery. The charge time depends on solar intensity, and duration.
1450265
yes the voltage output will vary with the amount of sunlight. I have my panels setup to produce a max of 36 vdc charging a 12 vdc battery bank. your charge controller needs to match your projected final system capacity, if there is a possibility of adding on later. I have a mix of 144s and 88s
2235366
The 2 Grape Solar panels put out about 62 volts and 16 amps and this controller will handle 100V and 45 amps so you should be fine.
925843
It needs a voltage regulator to keep from overcharging the powerpack. I have the cheap 10 amp ($15) controller. Output from this panel can exceed 20 volts in strong sunlight.
2129614
It will depend on how you plan to connect it to the charge controller and what the total amount of watts of panel you are connecting. So no, but you would need to check.
2242776
You won't want to connect the panel directly to a battery, as it could damage or overcharge it. The panel itself only provides a voltage, you need a charge controller between the panel and the battery. The one I used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HWQZNQ/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is not currently available, but should give you an idea of what to look for. You want a controller that can handle at least 30 watts and 17.5 volts input for charging 12v batteries.
1957392
Some solar panel controllers need to have 5 volts above operating voltage to 'start' operating so you may need a 17volt 2.5 amp PSU to get correct nominal 12 volt operation. I have used a 7 amp solar power controller on a mains electric Generator's 12 volt 'battery charging' output that was putting out 16 or 17 volts and was able to charge a sealed lead acid battery at 14.4 volts.
1523595
Yes it will work. I'm using two 100 watt panels wired in series to get 24 volts running to the charge controller and then to my 12 volt battery bank. works great. You'll have have less resistance from the panel to the controller in 24 volts as well.
576630
Zubby,This controller can handle up to 125 open circuit volts input. You can series your panels together to get a theoretical voltage of 96 volts, this will have less voltage drop and give you approximately 10 1/2 amps on the input side of the controller. Your problem is with a 12 volt battery bank your amperages on the output of the controller could exceed 80 amps ( 1000 watts divided by 12 volts equals 83.3 amps ). You would need (2) of these controllers with your present configuration. If it is possible; you could make your 12 volt battery bank into a 24 volt battery bank and get a 24 volt inverter, then you would need only (1) controller. ( 1000 watts divided by 24 volts equals 41.6 amps ) Zubby,This controller can handle up to 125 open circuit volts input. You can series your panels together to get a theoretical voltage of 96 volts, this will have less voltage drop and give you approximately 10 1/2 amps on the input side of the controller. Your problem is with a 12 volt battery bank your amperages on the output of the controller could exceed 80 amps ( 1000 watts divided by 12 volts equals 83.3 amps ). You would need (2) of these controllers with your present configuration. If it is possible; you could make your 12 volt battery bank into a 24 volt battery bank and get a... » Read More Zubby,This controller can handle up to 125 open circuit volts input. You can series your panels together to get a theoretical voltage of 96 volts, this will have less voltage drop and give you approximately 10 1/2 amps on the input side of the controller. Your problem is with a 12 volt battery bank your amperages on the output of the controller could exceed 80 amps ( 1000 watts divided by 12 volts equals 83.3 amps ). You would need (2) of these controllers with your present configuration. If it is possible; you could make your 12 volt battery bank into a 24 volt battery bank and get a 24 volt inverter, then you would need only (1) controller. ( 1000 watts divided by 24 volts equals 41.6 amps ) « Show Less