charging a 12 volt battery with a 24 volt solar panel

[Deleted]

G'day guys This is my very first post. I was hoping that the very experienced and well knowledged folks on this site could advise me on whether I am able to charge a 12 volt battery with a 24 volt solar panel using a 12v/24v regualtor. Thanks in advance for any and all assitance with regards to my query.

[tedalley]

Sept 6, 2014 12:51:34 GMT 10 @justanaussieguy said:

G'day guys This is my very first post. I was hoping that the very experienced and well knowledged folks on this site could advise me on whether I am able to charge a 12 volt battery with a 24 volt solar panel using a 12v/24v regualtor. Thanks in advance for any and all assitance with regards to my query.

My guess is that you would need a 24v to 12v transformer.

On the other hand you could connect another 12v battery in series (24v) and charge both together from the solar pannel. This way you could still run the 12v in the van and connect the 12v charging from the car.

Ted

[Deleted]

Gday Ted

thanks for your suggestion. At this stage I am not connecting the battery to the caravan. I just wanna trickle charge it at home. So panel will just be sitting at ground level exposed to sun and cabled to the regulator and regulator to the battery. Battery and regulator will be sitting on a bench. Once again thanks for your advise. Every little bit leads to an increase in knowledge.

[Deleted]

To charge a 12v bat from 24v panel you could use a mppt regulator.
Although these are not cheep they also are the most efficient way to regulate a solar panel
A mppt regulator will maintain the panel at its maximum power at all times.

[Deleted]

Sorry forgot to add you can charge a 12v battery of a 24 volt panel using a cheaper pwm regulator but the panel will only put out less than half it's rated power.

[Deleted]

G'day GD

thanks for your advise. regards