I currently am running a small 5 watt per hour PV panel with a few LEDs attached to it. The problem is that all it is is a device for telling me when the sun is out. I originally planned to have it charge 8 AA batteries in series so I could then use the battery power to run some 12 volt lights at night. This was planned using information I later found to be incorrect. I’m trying to fix this system in as cheap a manor as possible. Is there anyway I could accomplish this without having to spend the $ 100 or so on a larger 12v solar battery?
More Pages:
- Solar Products: Set Up A Cheap Solar System To Run A Few 12volt Lights Off Of. Can I Use AA Solar Charging Batteries? (6/6/2011)
- Solar Panel: Is It Cost Effective To Buy A Solar Panel Battery Charger And BATTERY Then A Cheap Invertor And Power A Light? (12/26/2011)
- Solar Lights: Please Recommend A Set Of Durable Outdoor Garden Lights? (11/5/2011)
- Solar Panel: Help Setting Up A Solar Panel System? (9/4/2011)
- Solar Lights: Where Can I Find An Outdoor Solar Activated Switch? (11/3/2011)
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>all it is is a device for telling me when the sun is out
LOL!
Have you thought of charging the batteries in parallel then reconnecting them in series? Depending on the voltage output of your panel you could charge them as 8x 1.2V or 4x 2.4V.
Apart from that, you would need a current output step-up converter circuit.
Edit:
I found some kits to do just that:
http://www.talkingelectronics.com/projects/SolarCharger/SolarCharger.html