Q&A for How to Charge a Battery with a Solar Panel

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Question

How do I measure the amperes in my battery so I will know the wattage of my 12 volt battery?

Robert

Community Answer

The easiest way to measure amperage is through the use of a digital multimeter. Make sure it is set to read amperage, you can then use a clamp on meter around the "hot" leg and record the actual amperage. If you do not have access to a ammeter clamp, you can open the circuit and insert the probes in series with the circuit. This will allow all electrons to pass through the meter and give you an accurate reading. Once you know your amperage, use the formula: Wattage = amperage x voltage.

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Question

How can I connect a solar panel charger to more than one battery?

Phillip King

Community Answer

A parallel connection avoids any change in the voltage level and is simple. Position your batteries side by side and run a separate pair of wires from the panel to each battery, connecting negative (-) to (-) and positive (+) to (+).

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Question

I have a car which is not often used, and I would like to link a solar panel permanently when the car is unused. I am told a 20w panel is the right size but am unsure what size controller to buy.

Inskarma

Community Answer

Make sure the solar panel is getting enough sunlight first; if it is shaded, it will need more electricity to recharge the battery. Also, connect the solar panel's positive lead to the battery's positive terminal and the panel's negative lead to the battery's negative terminal.

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Question

Can I hook up my solar panels to my CAT emergency battery by hooking the charge controller to the battery cables (the flow going backwards)?

Gamnia Ark

Community Answer

connect the positive wire from a solar panel to the positive battery terminal and the negative solar panel wire to the negative battery terminal.

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Question

Can l use my R.V. or marine batteries to let my solar panels charge them?

antenna pick

Community Answer

Yes, you can use RV or marine batteries to store the energy generated by your solar panels. Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, and this electricity can be stored in batteries for later use. RV and marine batteries are designed to provide deep-cycle power, making them suitable for storing solar energy.

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