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Old 19-12-2014, 07:43   #1
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Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

Hello all,

I've got a spare 100 watt panel that I'd like to add a 12volt socket to. Just for charging stuff, etc.

Does anyone know of a way to do this?
I have two cables coming from the connector box. + and -

I guess I'd need some way of regulating the power from this into the 12v socket?

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Simon


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Old 19-12-2014, 08:05   #2
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

Simon,

I don't think you're going to be able to do it without a constant voltage output regulator...

Not the right one, but you get the idea???

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Old 19-12-2014, 11:12   #3
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

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Originally Posted by simonpickard View Post
.......... I guess I'd need some way of regulating the power from this into the 12v socket?............
Why? If it's a 12 volt system you will have 12 volts available at the socket. Just like in your car.

Basically, you connect a cable from a 12 volt source to a fuse and then to the outlet. You connect another wire from the outlet to a negative buss.
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Old 19-12-2014, 11:21   #4
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

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Originally Posted by rwidman View Post
Why? If it's a 12 volt system you will have 12 volts available at the socket. Just like in your car.

Basically, you connect a cable from a 12 volt source to a fuse and then to the outlet. You connect another wire from the outlet to a negative buss.
I think you misunderstood the question.

I believe the "100 watt panel" the OP was referring to is a SOLAR panel. If it's a nominal 12-volt solar panel, the OC voltage is on the order of 17 volts. This is drawn down successively as greater loads are connected, thus may vary anywhere from 17 volts to less than 12 volts, depending on load.

He'd likely need some way to regulate voltage to within an acceptable range for the accessories he plans to plug into the cigarette socket.

Bill
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Old 19-12-2014, 11:23   #5
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

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I think you misunderstood the question.

I believe the "100 watt panel" the OP was referring to is a SOLAR panel. If it's a nominal 12-volt solar panel, the OC voltage is on the order of 17 volts. This is drawn down successively as greater loads are connected, thus may vary anywhere from 17 volts to less than 12 volts, depending on load.

He'd likely need some way to regulate voltage to within an acceptable range for the accessories he plans to plug into the cigarette socket.

Bill
I suppose if he had actually posted that information, my response would have been different. I'm not reading minds too well today.

Just disregard my post.
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Old 19-12-2014, 11:24   #6
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

I suspect the OP means "unregulated solar panel" when they say "spare panel" in which case the "system" will range up to 17-22VDC when it is a nominal twelve volts.


A 7812 or 7912 three terminal regulator for a couple of bucks from Radio Shack (and a fuse) will be enough of a regulator for small loads (up to 1.5A) so what they'll require will depend on what they're up to.


Radio Shack sells these things in the "adult only" section hidden in the back these days, so they don't scare the general public.
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Old 19-12-2014, 11:39   #7
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

I wouldn't buy anything from RS...they've completely gone over to the dark side in order to survive.

Anyway, you can buy a pretty nice PWM 10A solar controller on eBay for $15.00.

Even better if hooked up to a battery (like one being charged or already in service).

BTW, the 100-watt panel will put out a maximum of about 7 amps @ useful voltages.

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Old 19-12-2014, 14:18   #8
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

Will a PWM output a constant voltage with just a load and no battery???

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Old 19-12-2014, 14:49   #9
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

Good question. Maybe not. I'd sure prefer to have a battery connected.

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Old 19-12-2014, 15:33   #10
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

No the PWM regulator needs a battery or very large capacitor, better to use a linear regulator or just add a small lawn mower battery with the PWM charge controller, then you have extra power to charge things even when there is cloud coverage.
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Old 19-12-2014, 16:33   #11
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

I like the Capacitor idea. Light weight and flow through ability. There's a dollar to be made in there, somewhere.! 😬


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Old 20-12-2014, 06:26   #12
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

I think it would be easier to add the panel to the house system and wire the 12v receptacle up the way everything else is, off the house side.
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Old 20-12-2014, 09:11   #13
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

[QUOTE=simonpickard;1703313]Hello all,

I've got a spare 100 watt panel that I'd like to add a 12volt socket to. Just for charging stuff, etc.

Does anyone know of a way to do this?
I have two cables coming from the connector box. + and -

I guess I'd need some way of regulating the power from this into the 12v socket?

Regards,
Simon


Are you speaking of a portable item? If it's a hard mounted panel why isolate from house batteries? Seems as though there is confusion about your intent.
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Old 20-12-2014, 09:31   #14
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

With a 100w panel and a reasonable sized house battery you can get away without a regulator, but you need to keep a careful eye on the battery voltage and manually disconect the panel when the voltage becomes too high.

This is doable, but it is a bit of a PITA. A regulator will do the job automatically and will allow a proportional output. The manual option is all, or nothing.

If you want to plug it into cig lighter socket this is possible as well as long as this is connected to the house battery, but especially with these sort of currents it is not a very reliable, or a low resistance connection. You do need a battery in the system. The solar panel voltage is too high on its own so you cannot safely plug items into the panel without the buffer of the house battery

If it was me I would add a fuse, a regulator, and a good quality connector such as an Anderson plug. Connect this to the house battery. Run all the devices from the house battery.
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Old 20-12-2014, 11:02   #15
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Re: Adding 12v socket to spare 100watt panel.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes it's a spare solar panel I have.

Already got panels for the house, this was just for charging my electric outboard, they do a panel but it's crazy expensive. Looks like a bit of a pain so won't bother.



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