Up to recently I had 2 solar panels float-charging 2 independent batteries - until the panels got stolen. The charge capacity was not good enough, so I want to find a better solution. Searching for panels that would deliver 250 - 500ma (2 - 3 times more than float charge) I found spec's / price relations that make me think of using one panel at 500, feeding both batteries.
Presumptions:
12 vdc 600 amp 40ah batteries are unequally charged.
Feed lines must be isolated using one diode per battery, consuming 0.5 - 1 vdc
Loadfree panel vdc might be about 20+.
Loaded voltage might be 14-15 vdc, excluding the isolating diode voltage.
Lowest battery voltage without voltage drop in wires might be12.
In this circuit the lower charged battery might get more current than the other, = good.
I do not intend to add a control device for cost reasons.
The negative pole of the batteries are connected together.
The "float charge" situation happens only when the sun rays are perpendicular to the fixed panel, a few hours per cloudless day. This is why 2 -3 times more current is required.
Do you see any "pot holes" on the way of creating this system? I can not yet, I have never done this particular "one panel / 2 batteries" circuitry.
Thanks for checking.
Presumptions:
12 vdc 600 amp 40ah batteries are unequally charged.
Feed lines must be isolated using one diode per battery, consuming 0.5 - 1 vdc
Loadfree panel vdc might be about 20+.
Loaded voltage might be 14-15 vdc, excluding the isolating diode voltage.
Lowest battery voltage without voltage drop in wires might be12.
In this circuit the lower charged battery might get more current than the other, = good.
I do not intend to add a control device for cost reasons.
The negative pole of the batteries are connected together.
The "float charge" situation happens only when the sun rays are perpendicular to the fixed panel, a few hours per cloudless day. This is why 2 -3 times more current is required.
Do you see any "pot holes" on the way of creating this system? I can not yet, I have never done this particular "one panel / 2 batteries" circuitry.
Thanks for checking.