[AndrewJ]

I have got a 5W micro solar panel with an inbuilt blocking diode that can ( allegedly ) be hooked up to a battery ( without needing a regulator ).
The specs recommend a min battery of 50Ahr
I have 2 SLA batteries 40/20Ahr and i want to use the unit to apply a float charge to keep the batteries topped up between use. I will recharge them using a proper charger, this idea is only to give them a daily float to prevent slow discharge over months of no use.
I know the 2 batteries have different "full" voltages, so i cant just parallel them.
I was thinking to use a common ground, and split the panel V+ into 2 leads using diodes in each leg so that i dont get cross charging between the batteries.
The panel puts out 17.4V at 290mA max
so if i do this, i will drop the max float voltage to say 16V, which is still above the "rated" float voltage, of 14.4, so i should be OK.
Can anyone see anything wrong with my logic????
ie is the 14.4V specified by the battery manufacturer a real limit if i am only putting in say a max of 100mA

Andrew