Which Type of 12 Volt Solar Charger Is Best?
Many people are aware that solar chargers are a good alternative to non-renewable sources of energy, but not everyone is familiar with how easy they are to build. Read on to learn more about different kinds of solar battery chargers, including how to put one together for yourself.
In the most basic terms, a battery charger may be nothing more than a power supply that transfers electricity of a given voltage to a battery. Just put the battery in, give it time to charge completely, and then disconnect it. If you want to charge a 12 volt battery, you can plug it into a 15-18 volt charger. The price of this system’s simplicity, though, is its risk of overcharging.
If you overcharge a battery, it’s likely that the battery’s functionality will be decreased, sometimes significantly. Overcharging a 12 volt battery too often can damage it to the point that it will no longer maintain a charge. However, you can use a charge controller, which will make sure that the correct voltage is used and prevent the battery from being overcharged. If you’re using a 12 volt solar charger, you’ll most likely want to have the option of leaving it connected all day while the sun is shining, and thus a charge controller is a necessity.
The most common type of charge controller for 12 volt batteries is a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) charge controller. With a PWM charge controller, a switch is flipped on and off repeatedly depending on the flow of the electricity. Initially, the switch stays “on” more. As power is moved to the battery, the switch spends more time activated than deactivated, and once the battery is fully charged, it no longer flips back on. The charging process is controlled and monitored by a microprocessor chip. There is no danger of overcharging with a PWM charge controller, even if you leave it plugged into a battery indefinitely. This is called “trickle charging,” and it is handy when you have a battery that you don’t necessarily use all the time, but would like it to be charged when you do need to use it. This feature is obviously very appropriate for a 12 volt solar charger. This, in turn, will allow you to keep the 12 volt battery for your boat or RV charged at all times.
A 12 volt solar charger is no more complicated than that. The power source is the only thing that differentiates a 12 volt solar charger from an ordinary 12 volt battery charger. Solar battery chargers generate power with the use of a solar panel rather than from a wall outlet. Many people are now building their own DIY solar panels. To learn more, take a look at DIY Solar Panel.
Most of the solar panels used on houses have 1/2 volt and 3-4 amp solar cells. Since a 12 volt battery charger needs about 15-18 volts of electricity to use, it’s necessary to connect several of these cells to produce enough power. Small solar panels do come in a variety of different voltages. The charger will work properly when you match the voltage of the solar panel to your charge controller. The voltage rating on the charge controller tells you what voltage you’ll need. If you aren’t using a charge controller, it’s best to use a solar panel of 15-18 volts. If you are using a charge controller, the required voltage is just that – required. GreenDIYEnergy is the best guide to building your own 12 volt solar charger. To read my article about it, take a look at Green DIY Energy.
The method for wiring the solar panel to the charge controller is contingent upon certain factors within the controller. In most cases, it’s safe to solder the same kind of connector onto the solar panel that’s on your charge controller. If you can’t use a charge controller, you can use the same type of connector that’s on the battery. With respect to clamps, the spring loaded type are a good choice for larger 12 volt batteries. You do have the choice of using electrical tape instead of soldering, but soldering is a longer-lasting solution, and, in this case, it’s a very simple procedure. You won’t need any special tools other than a decent soldering iron and solder, which you can find easily at places like Radio Shack. All you have to do is twist the wires on either side together, use the soldering iron on the wires, and touch the solder to the wires until it melts. As long as you take care not to burn yourself, and remember to heat the wires and not the solder itself with the soldering iron, it’ll be no problem. Another guide to building your own 12v solar charger that I recommend is Homemade Energy. For more information, visit Homemade Energy Review.
It’s really that simple! Building a 12 volt solar charger is a quick procedure as well. A 12 volt battery is the first component. Making sure to get one with the appropriate voltage, you’ll also want a charge controller. Buy or build a solar panel that has the correct voltage for the charge controller. The last step is to connect all the parts – connect the solar panel to the charge controller, and the charge controller to the battery. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have permanent, free power! This will lower your energy bill, cut pollution, and let you do your part in reducing dependence on foreign oil.
Tags: 12 volt solar charger, green diy energy, green diy energy review, greendiyenergy, greendiyenergy review
