PV Gap

Roy Said:

I am going on a week long mtn. bike tour. Wondering about schematics for solar digital camera battery charger?

We Answered:

This website has a good circuit to do what you're looking for, although it needs a 6 V supply. I'd suggest either rewiring your solar panel so that it outputs 6 V (half the elements in parallel with the other half?) or continue to use the regulator you've already got.

Christina Said:

DC electric wiring battery solar voltage help?

We Answered:

When a panel says 18 volts out, that's the most you'll get out of it. So if you connect it to 72 volts, either no current will flow, or worse, current will flow the wrong way.

I suspect the panel you have in mind is very low power. Six golfcart batteries is equivalent to what someone might have in a cabin, and charge with a 600W (minimum) array. A smaller array would not generate enough current to get the batteries to absorb charge.

If all you want to do is maintain the batteries with a trickle charge, best to just run an extension cord to a trickle charger.

Donna Said:

Does anyone know of a site were I can get a good inverter and switch box for my house?

We Answered:

The first place I thought of was http://www.alternativeenergystore.com
But that is a more traditional route. You can check out eBay and other auction sites, but make sure you know what to look for be for you start buying things or you will just be wasting good money.

The more traditional solar sites will have pre assembled kits, you do not have to buy the kits ,but it will give you an idea as to what you might need.

Hope this helps

Matthew Said:

I am going on a week long Mtn bike tour. Wondering about schematics for digicam p&s solar battery charger?

We Answered:

I would go with a generator, charge your batteries during the day and light your path after dark: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.…
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/dymotec.…