Handy Man Source » Solar Energy » Can a solar charger work using a regular power supply?
Can a solar charger work using a regular power supply?
I'm trying to build a DIY Uninterruptable Power Supply to perform some 'electronics in a remote location with intermittent power grid. I plan to use two 115Ah deep cycle battery connected to a two-stage battery charger. When the power you want to load the grid with battery bank Power Grid, but would also integrate with solar panels. I bought a solar charger 30A (Sunforce), a regulated power supply 16V 20A (Samplex), and a battery isolator (for use when I get the solar panels to keep them isolated from the mains). I thought the AC power charger would be adjusted when the grid was high, and solar panels (added later) would Charger without power supply. Problem: when the power is adjusted about 5 amps, the charger stops working practices. The output voltage starts to fluctuate and closes off the end. Is there any way to get this working? Oh and I know I could just get a higher purpose solar charger that will do this, but the costs are very high... I spend less than $ 300, then the look "do te.Grazie for the answer, but I already bought an insulator to prevent batter backfeeding both panels or power. Also I have no solar panels at the moment, only power, solar panels are not as the problem. I think there must be something fundamentally different about the DC that is coming out of my regulated power supply and a solar panel! Another interesting note, the solar charger on the right says, "Only use with solar panels, do not use other sources of energy." . . but why? Seems like it should work for me. . . ?
Written by Handy Man
Local Handyman looking for ways to receive free energy and power without the high costs of the power companies.
Filed under: Solar Energy · Tags: 30a, Ac Power, Amps, Battery Bank, Battery Charger, Battery Isolator, charger, Charger Work, Deep Cycle Battery, Insulator, Mains, Output Voltage, Power, Power Grid, regular, Regulated Power Supply, Samplex, Solar, Solar Charger, Solar Panel, Solar Panels, Sources Of Energy, Supply, Uninterruptable Power Supply, Using, Work, Working Practices
Sounds like you have the power supply in parallel with the solar panels, feeding the charger, right?
If so, you’re putting power into the solar cells and the charger at the same time. If those are 12V panels, you’re putting 16 volts on them and probably back-biasing them. The solar panels are designed for direct connection only when they are a higher voltage than what they’re feeding.
The simplest way to fix this is to use a power contactor (large relay) — DPDT. One side to the solar cells, the other to the power supply. Have it pass the power supply to the charger when the grid is on and the solar cells to the charger when the grid is off. That’s what you’re trying to do any way, right? Since your electronics are running off of the batteries either way (right?), the momentary switch shouldn’t cause any problems.
Here’s one for 20A at 28VDC for $16 from digikey.com. The coil is energized with 100VAC, so it just hooks to the main (if you use 120). I’m sure there are similar relays with 240 VAC coils, if needed. You could put two in parallel if you need a higher rating than 20A.