karleesto
Member
I have a 25w panel I bought many years ago. Used it for the time and it has been sitting on the shelf since. I am thinking I could use to trickle charge my car battery. How can I test to see if panel still works?
I am thinking I could use to trickle charge my car battery.
Well this girl does have a Multi meter Question is does she know how/remember to use it :-(If you have a DVM or DMM (digital volt meter or digital multi meter) you can test it when it's receiving sunlight.
You should see around 20 volts (VOC, volts, open circuit) assuming it is a 12v panel.
If the meter can also measure amps, you can measure ISC (amps, short circuit) and with full sunlight you should see about 2 amps...more or less.
If you dont have a meter or this is all unfamiliar to you, then we might need to go to plan B.
Plan B is, do you know anyone who is handy with electronics or electrical wiring?
Since I already had this panel the above was my thought.For occasional starter battery upkeep when parked or camped in the boonies, and for counteracting the built-in parasitic drain that new vehicle electronics suffer from, its a great solution.
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