Can i have to voltage read from my battery but have current read between my solar panel and charge controller ?
1680967
Yes you can, because there are 3 wires one for volt, one for amps and common.
1680968
Don't think so. The negative connection for voltage and current is made at the same point in the meter. However the current from the solar panel is the same as to the battery except for the loss to power the meter which is about 15 to 20 milliampere with the display on. Just hook it across the battery and subtract the 20 milliamperes.
1680969
I'm not sure I haven't used mine yet but I think there is one set of leads for voltage and another for amperage. If so I don't see why you couldn't. Just watch the ratings. I didn't and I'm pushing more amps then it's rated for so thats why I haven't used it yet.
1845074
I'm no expert, but I would think so. I have the charge controller charging the battery while an AC inverter pulls from the battery. Should be the same situation.
1316921
Yes, that is one of the functions of the charge controller. I have several years experience using solar power and am happy to help out.
30434
Yes BUT... You have to buy a charge controller that can "step down" the 36 volts from the panel to 12 volts for the batteries. Look at Morningstar controllers and or go to Morningstar's website to get the specs on an appropriate controller for your application.
1515716
The charge controller is for regulating the battery charging. Step down the higher solar panel voltages to 12volts(around). It can also prevent the battery from back charging the solar panels in the night.
420931
No, but it will tell you at the bottom where to connect the solar and the battery. I haven't use the load yet. The color from this panel will also tell you where the positive (+) and the negative (-) are. Make sure the connector to your battery is in the correct place. You will know it if you placed the connections wrong, because the light on the panel will dim. If you placed it correctly, then the charging light is brightly lit. If you battery is already fully charged, the high voltage light will lit up. Mine goes on and off alternating with the charging light indicator. Correct me if I'm wrong, I assume it's doing the float mode. No, but it will tell you at the bottom where to connect the solar and the battery. I haven't use the load yet. The color from this panel will also tell you where the positive (+) and the negative (-) are. Make sure the connector to your battery is in the correct place. You will know it if you placed the connections wrong, because the light on the panel will dim. If you placed it correctly, then the charging light is brightly lit. If you battery is already fully charged, the high voltage light will lit up. Mine goes on and off alternating with the charging light indicator. Correct me if I'm... » Read More No, but it will tell you at the bottom where to connect the solar and the battery. I haven't use the load yet. The color from this panel will also tell you where the positive (+) and the negative (-) are. Make sure the connector to your battery is in the correct place. You will know it if you placed the connections wrong, because the light on the panel will dim. If you placed it correctly, then the charging light is brightly lit. If you battery is already fully charged, the high voltage light will lit up. Mine goes on and off alternating with the charging light indicator. Correct me if I'm wrong, I assume it's doing the float mode. « Show Less
117611
The voltage produced by the solar panels will probably exceed the input voltage of the converter. My solar panels feed a controller which feeds a battery bank. The converter (inverter) draws current from the battery bank.
617222
Yes, it'll read current no matter what's generating it. But what you really need is to put a load on the battery and see how long they last. You can calculate how much power they deliver.
1114386
No, this is the solar panel only. There are wires (but no plug) that would need to be connected to a charge control first before connecting to a battery.
66954
Not sure I use if for a solar power pack. Measure voltage of battery and the draw from the battery
2242773
I have been using the Brunton Solar Controller 12-Volt Battery Charge Monitor with my panel for the past year and it seems to work just fine, the panel keeps my battery on a sailboat charged without over charging the battery.
2082894
If you measure the voltage between the panels and the controller (during good sunlight) you should expect the voltage to be higher, like the 16V mentioned - more in line to what the raw panels will put out, this is dependent on good sunlight and positioned correctly. It could be lower if sunlight is marginal. When you measure the voltage between the batteries and the charge controller you would expect a reading like 13.7 volts. If the voltage is 16 volts going to the batteries you'll boil them, i.e. gas discharge, etc.... The charge controller will regulate the voltage for a proper charging environment. 13.7 volts is appropriate.... If you measure the voltage between the panels and the controller (during good sunlight) you should expect the voltage to be higher, like the 16V mentioned - more in line to what the raw panels will put out, this is dependent on good sunlight and positioned correctly. It could be lower if sunlight is marginal. When you measure the voltage between the batteries and the charge controller you would expect a reading like 13.7 volts. If the voltage is 16 volts going to the batteries you'll boil them, i.e. gas discharge, etc.... The charge controller will regulate the voltage for a proper charging... » Read More If you measure the voltage between the panels and the controller (during good sunlight) you should expect the voltage to be higher, like the 16V mentioned - more in line to what the raw panels will put out, this is dependent on good sunlight and positioned correctly. It could be lower if sunlight is marginal. When you measure the voltage between the batteries and the charge controller you would expect a reading like 13.7 volts. If the voltage is 16 volts going to the batteries you'll boil them, i.e. gas discharge, etc.... The charge controller will regulate the voltage for a proper charging environment. 13.7 volts is appropriate.... « Show Less
1468499
Its only a 5 Watt panel so no. Running something from a solar panel, without a DC battery, isnt practical anyway if you need any sort of a constant voltage.
1123837
A test you can make is to directly connect the panel to the battery, correct polarity important or you will fry things. If the voltage is 17 volts or under you are good to go. If it is still over 18 volts you will be over current and ruin the battery. You cannot have the controller set to 24 volts for your 12volt battery!
1031235
The whole point of this type of controller is to take your solar power of any voltage up to 48 volts (in this case) and output the proper voltage 12 or 24 volts to your batteries. Your panels do not need to be 12 volts, they simply need to fit in the specs of the controller which is a 48volt maximum input voltage. It will then regulate your output voltage to 12 or 24 volts, whichever you choose.
1701783
you can hook it up in junction to the battery with the solar panel but not in line or same line of the solar panel output
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.