It can mean that you live in a cabin, van, or RV, and for you to find a great way to satisfy your energy needs, you require a solar with battery storage. If you have found your ideal solar panel kit, you are prompted to buy a battery that is meant to store all the energy that is produced by the selected panels. The big question is how you will get a battery that is capable of offering you the exact amount of power you need and also exhibits effective charging.
You will need the right solar panel that will cater to your charging needs whenever you are off-grid for a longer time than expected. Surprisingly, if you intend to charge your 12V battery using photovoltaic (PV) panels, then it will not sound like a good idea as it is complicated. You require the ideal components that will allow you to optimize your solar panels for you to enjoy extremely fast charging.
With this guide, you will find a clear way to establish a comfortable and safe life with efficient energy storage with the right solar panel.
What Size Solar Panel Do You Need to Charge a 12V Battery?
It is worth noting that there is a wide range of different sizes and rated power outputs of PV solar panels that are readily compatible with the 12V battery. For a solar panel to qualify to be the most appropriate, you have to check whether the panel matches the battery’s amp hours, voltage, wattage, and most importantly, energy consumption.
Since the 12V batteries are available in different capacities that range from 5 to 200 amp-hours, you need to be concerned about the following, before you make up your mind on which size panel you require most;
Battery Capacity
For you to enjoy peaceful moments with your loved ones when you are outdoors, you need to ensure that your solar panels are perfectly compatible with the 12V battery. The first thing that you ought to consider is the battery capacity as well as the discharge rate of the battery. With the two essential factors put in keen consideration, you will stand a better chance to select the right size solar panel.
For you to recognize your battery capacity, you will have to closely look at the specification sheets or the print that is on the battery unit. The battery capacity is normally listed in amp-hours. If you have a battery with 100Ah capacity, then you will have to provide 100 amps of power per hour or alternatively, 10 amps for 10 hours. It can chance that you have multiple batteries in a system and you are required to make calculations to find the total system capacity and voltage.
For easy calculation of the total battery capacity in batteries that are arranged in a parallel set-up, you have to add up all the Ah ratings and the voltage will remain the same. For instance, you can have four 100Ah 12V batteries that are wired in parallel, you will attain a total of 400V and a voltage of 12.
In the case where your batteries in a system are wired in a series mode, the capacity and voltage calculation will definitely be different. The voltage for four 100 12V batteries will be added and hence achieve a total of 48 volts and the battery capacity will remain to be 100Ah.
Expected Discharge Rate
If you intend to use the 12V batteries while they are still charging, it is wise to ensure that you calculate the discharge rate. For those who have appliances that run day and night, for example, air conditioners, refrigerators, or lights, they have to know the expected power draw. With complete knowledge of the energy draw, it will be easy to ensure that the solar panels are powerful enough to run the ever-running home appliances.
Just like the solar production capacity, the power draw is measured in watts and it is simple to comprehend the relation between the battery capacity and power draw by converting amp-hours to watt-hours. Below is an example of how you can easily calculate the expected draw given that you already know the appliance power consumption;
Air conditioner: 1000 watts x 2 Hours = 2000Wh
Refrigerator: 150 Watts x 4 Hours = 600Wh
Seven LED Light: 7 x 5 Watts x 6 Hours = 210Wh
Total Expected Daily Discharge: 2000 + 600 + 210 = 2810Wh
Once you are aware of the expected discharge rate of 210Wh, you can now easily determine the right solar panel for you.
Sizing Your Solar Panels
This is the last thing that you ought to do to start enjoying the seamless benefits of the right-size solar panel. Proceeding with the previously used example, a 400Ah 12v battery with an expected discharge rate of 2810Wh, you can easily select the perfect size of the solar panel that you need for the smooth running of your home appliances.
For you to operate the earlier calculated home devices, you will require a solar panel that can supply up to 2810Wh of power. It is quite obvious that the solar panels that you employ are capable of offering beyond 2810Wh of power. This allows your batteries to safely and maximally charge to set them for their daily performance.
Remember, solar panels do not always function at their peak efficiency. Therefore, estimating 70% power production from every solar panel and achieving more precise information on its power production.
Combining Solar Panels for 12-Volts Battery Systems
It is possible not to find a single solar panel that is capable of delivering your energy needs. This will require you to combine multiple panels for you to achieve your desired energy levels. If for example you combine four 200-watt solar panels that will in the end form an 800-watt system, and this power will be sufficient to run most appliances in your home or any other place of your choice.
If you are connecting the solar panels in series or parallel, you have to consider the total output voltage and the amperage for you to select the most appropriate solar charge control. Keep in mind that if you connect the solar panels in series, the total system voltage will definitely be the sum of every panel’s voltage as the amperage remains constant. If you connect the solar panels in parallel, the total voltage remains constant as the amperage is the sum of every individual panel.
BLUETTI AC200P + 3*PV200 | Solar Generator Kit
It can change if you are at home or outdoors and you are in dire need of power for your appliances. The BLUETTI AC200P is what you need in your worksite, in the woods, on a road trip, or in your backyard. What makes the BLUETTI AC200P solar generator gain massive demand is the exceptional reliability it offers. Some people who live in areas that are highly prone to extreme weather conditions have the chance to counter the frequent and interruptive power outages.
The BLUETTI AC200P solar generator is developed to feature a powerful Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) battery that comes with 3,500 + life cycles. These cycles are designed to last for up to 10 years. The BLUETTI AC200P solar generator sets you in the most comfortable and active state as it ensures that all your activities that need constant power are in their usual functioning. There is an advanced battery management system (BMS) that is integrated into the BLUETTI AC200P solar generator. The BMS is responsible for protecting your connected devices from any possible harm or risk as you go on with the daily use of your home appliances.
If you are searching for a solar panel that will qualify as your top solution for most of your home appliances, then look no further than the BLUETTI AC200P solar generator. The BLUETTI AC200P solar generator is designed to efficiently charge your home appliances including ice coolers, projectors, blenders, radios, and other essential electronic devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Charge a 12Vk Battery?
Apart from charging your 12V battery through solar panels, you are also free to do so through the grid power and alternators. Solar panel recharging is preferred as it is much more economical and cleaner.
What are Amp Hours?
You need to be aware that the Deep cycle batteries feature an amp hour rating. This indicates the amount of current that is stored in the battery over a given period. If for example, you have a 200Ah battery it means that the battery can supply 20 continuous amps that will last for 10 hours.
What are deep-cycle batteries?
The deep cycle batteries are similar to the car batteries but they tend to be a bit different. The deep cycle batteries are known to deliver short bursts of energy. The deep cycle batteries are known to discharge up to 80%. And beyond that, it will shorten the life of the battery.
Conclusion
All you need is to do a simple math for you to easily know which solar panel will make all things right. You can now easily give yourself a chance to enjoy your perfect-size solar panel for reliable and economical energy consumption.
