Quote:
Originally Posted by graham.hobart
Hello all, I am getting things all organised for the finishing obs. I was keen to get advice about buying a solar panel or two to keep topping up my deep cycle battery.
I have seen camping type kits in Jaycar/ other auto stores and wondered if these would be any good?
At the moment the battery only runs a filter wheel/ dew heaters and some l.e.d.s. May be running a camera /lappie/mount only on trips away. Maybe running a fan in the obs in the Summer. Plus a primary mirror fan.
That is assuming we will get some solar light this Summer
Graz
NB I have a normal battery charger but wouldn't mind taking advantage of my free light.  |
Hi Graham,
at the risk of telling Granny how to suck eggs etc, I thought I might make sure you knew that it is dangerous to connect a solar panel of any size directly to a battery. Solar panels put out between 18-20 Volts DC and if directly connected to a battery, will quickly cook its cajones. You need a solar panel regulator of a suitable amperage matched to the size of the solar panel you are using.
Peter