12 Volt Solar Chargers
Rising fuel prices and the increasing tolls of pollution are motivating many individuals to switch to solar battery chargers. Read on to learn more about different kinds of solar battery chargers, as well as how to build your own.
Basically, a battery charger is a power supply that sends electricity of a certain voltage to a battery. All you have to do is connect the battery to the power supply, wait for it to fully charge, and then take it out. A 12 volt battery can be recharged in a 15-18 volt power supply. The price of this system’s simplicity, though, is its risk of overcharging.
Overcharging adversely affects the functions of a battery. Overcharging a 12 volt battery too often can damage it to the point that it will become unable to maintain a charge. The way to make sure that the proper voltage is used and that the battery is not overcharged is to use a charge controller. If you’re using a 12 volt solar charger, you’ll probably want to have the option of leaving it connected all day while the sun is shining, in which case a charge controller is a must.
For 12 volt batteries, the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) type of charge controller is the most popular one. With a PWM charge controller, a switch is flipped on and off repeatedly in relation to the flow of the electricity. Initially, the switch stays “on” more. As power is transferred to the battery, the amount of time the switch spends “off” increases, until the battery is fully charged, at which point the switch will remain off permanently. In a PWM charge controller, a microprocessor chip typically performs the task of monitoring and controlling the charging process. 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 useful when you have a battery that you don’t necessarily use constantly, but would to make sure that it’s charged when it does need to be used. This ability is obviously very handy for a 12 volt solar charger. 12 volt batteries for boats and RVs are often charged in this way, for example.
These are the basic parts that comprise a 12 volt solar charger. What differentiates a 12 volt solar charger from a standard battery charger is the power source. Solar battery chargers collect power through the use of a solar panel rather than through a wall outlet. Building your own DIY solar panel for use in a 12 volt solar charger is becoming more common. To learn more, check out Do It Yourself Solar Panel.
1/2 volt and 3-4 amp solar cells are commonly used in the solar panels that you might see on houses. If you’re using this type of cell, it will be necessary to connect several of them to produce the 15-18 volts necessary to charge a 12 volt battery. Currently, there are small solar panels of many different voltages available. It’s necessary to match the voltage of the solar panel to your charge controller. The correct voltage is indicated by the voltage rating, which is displayed on every charge controller. Usually, it’s best to use a solar panel of 15-18 volts if you can’t use a charge controller. 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, check out GreenDIYEnergy Review.
Depending on the controller, the method for wiring it to the solar panel can be different. Whatever kind of connector is used on your charge controller, just solder one onto the solar panel. If you aren’t using a charge controller, use the type of connector that’s on the battery instead. Spring loaded clamps are a good choice with most large 12 volt batteries. You do have the option of using electrical tape instead of soldering, but soldering is a longer-lasting solution, and, in this case, it’s a very easy procedure. You’ll only need a basic soldering iron and solder, which you can find at places like Radio Shack. First, twist the wires together. Then, use the soldering iron on the wires. Finally, touch the solder to the wires, and wait for it to melt. 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 great guide to building a DIY 12 volt solar charger is Homemade Energy. If you’re interested, take a look at Homemade Energy Review.
It’s really that simple! If you can do that, you can put together a 12 volt solar charger without any problems. First, you’ll have to have a 12 volt battery. A charge controller with the corresponding voltage is also necessary. The solar panel, which you can build yourself or buy, should also have the same voltage. Then, you just need to connect the solar panel to the charge controller, then connect the charge controller to the battery as explained. That’s it; now, you’ve got free power forever! By using solar energy instead of oil to charge your battery, you’re helping cut pollution and dependence on foreign oil, and saving yourself a lot of money in the long run.
