I am looking at buying a 45 watt solar panel and a deep cycle 12 volt battery. I will be using the battery to run D/C lights, so I don’t need a A/C power inverter. Do I need to get anything special to hook up between the solar panel to the battery to charge it, or do I just run the wires from the solar panel to the battery?
Thanks
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
you should get a charge controller also, it will keep the panel from overcharging the battery
About a 5 amp 13.8 volt zener diode
You should geta charge controller to keep the battery from overcharging and to keep the panel from discharging the battery at night. Something like http://www.altestore.com/store/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/PWM-Type-Solar-Charge-Controllers/Morningstar-Charge-Controllers-PWM/Morningstar-Sunguard-45A-12V-Pwm-Charge-Cntrlr/p793/.
You will need a voltage regulator to prevent prevent overcharging the battery and consequent damage.