I have a 15W solar panel I want to mount on the t-top to use to keep the batteries topped off.
I have a three ( 3 ) battery bank with an on-board charger. Can I mount the solar panel - plug a cigarette light end from the panel into the 12V socket - put the charger selector switch on " All " and expect the batteries to charge…?
Is this the way to do it…? I’m not sure about a controller or voltage regulator…I don’t want to ruin the charger or cook the batteries…
Have to put a diode (only lets current flow one direction) in the line otherwise the panel will discharge your batteries if it is not putting out full voltage due to clouds or anything else. If it is a prewired up solar “charging” panel it might allready have one in the cig. plug. Besides that should work as you stated. They don’t put out much amperage tho (depending on size), more of a battery “maintainer” then charger. Can get diodes at radio shack and put it in positive line with the arrow on the diode pointing towards the solar panel.
Russ B.
Psalm 55:22