gift
Common Weeds And Wild Edibles Of The World (HD video)
will be released to subscribers in: soon!
  • Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • Nancy Reading
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • John F Dean
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • Nicole Alderman
  • paul wheaton
  • Anne Miller
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Matt McSpadden

problem with solar panels

 
Posts: 66
Location: New Mexico
2
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I picked up some older panels, { kyrocea kc-80 } when I test them in full sun, putting out 20 volts, when I hook them to charge controller they drop to 9-11 volts and drain the battery. Any help out there?

Tom
 
rocket scientist
Posts: 6476
Location: latitude 47 N.W. montana zone 6A
3319
cat pig rocket stoves
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi Tom;
Go directly to a battery and see what you get.
 
pollinator
Posts: 933
Location: Central Ontario
171
kids dog books chicken earthworks cooking solar wood heat woodworking homestead
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
[quote=Tom Berens]I picked up some older panels, { kyrocea kc-80 } when I test them in full sun, putting out 20 volts, when I hook them to charge controller they drop to 9-11 volts and drain the battery. Any help out there?

Tom[/quote]hmmm.
The first step is double checking polarity, then checking the charge controller. After that you would want to check the diodes on the panels. If the diodes blew you could drain the battery through the panel.
 
Tom Berens
Posts: 66
Location: New Mexico
2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Anyone know where I can get some diodes?... Lol
 
David Baillie
pollinator
Posts: 933
Location: Central Ontario
171
kids dog books chicken earthworks cooking solar wood heat woodworking homestead
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
[quote=Tom Berens]Anyone know where I can get some diodes?... Lol[/quote]these days digikey Ebay robotshop or amazon. Dirt cheap.
 
pollinator
Posts: 425
Location: zone 5-5
149
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Some used electronics will have fat diodes.
If the diode is bad the panel will only drain your battery when it's dark out.
 
brevity is the soul of wit - shakespeare. Tiny ad:
turnkey permaculture paradise for zero monies
https://permies.com/t/267198/turnkey-permaculture-paradise-monies
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic