Hello all,
I am trying to make a circuit in which I use solar energy to power a 12v dc pump (link below). I know that in order to do that I must use batteries to store the energy. My solar panel is 12v (link below). What type of battery should I use to store this energy? I have found videos of 12v lithium battery packs but those have very high ampere ratings which i do not need. Or is there anything i could change to make things easier?
any help is appreciated.
thanks.
Li does not have a good solar charging solution.
I use a 12V 8Ah LiFePo4 (available on Amazon) on my weather station, charged with a PWM Charge Controller.
The only real solar recharge solutions are for lead acid batteries or LiFePo4's.
I tried the TP4060 and Li batteries. It works but is not a hands free solution. My Li batteries lasted about 4 months before needing to be replaced. Also, Li batteries cannot be allowed to freeze; throw them away.
The LiFePo4 solution has been a hands off operation.
Note, I run 2 motors, and 2 ESP32's with the LiFePo4. I am using 30Watts of solar cells in a poor sunlight environment.
Motor specs as listed on Amazon:
Specification:
Material: ABS
Voltage: DC 12V
Power rate: 3.6W
Current: 400mA
Noise: ≦40DB
Max flow: 240L/H
Max lift height: 3m
Inlet/outlet diameter: 8mm
Max water temperature: 60°C Cord length: 45cm/17.7''
Water resistance: IP68 waterproof
Package list: 1x brushless pump
Note the current rating of 400mA. The solar panel you reference under the most ideal conditions will provide 250mA. MAX!
The solar cells are too small / do not supply enough current to run recharge the battery and run the electronics. Eventually the battery will die and you'll have to get your hands dirty replacing batteries with newly charged ones.
You need to do some sums !
If you know how long the pump is likely to run you can work out the amperhours it will use ( or watt hours if you like)
Your solar panel needs to be able to produce about 20% more than that , under realistic weather when the system is going to operate over 24hr.
Your battery needs to be able to provide at least the amperhours the pump uses ( probably best to double that ).
So the best option here would be to use more solar panels. Will it work if I connect this panel whit more in parallel to increase the current?
mo_omer:
So the best option here would be to use more solar panels. Will it work if I connect this panel whit more in parallel to increase the current?
The solar panels you linked to are not adequate for any 12 volt battery charging. You should use panels with at least 15 volts open circuit voltage. My 12 year old driveway gates use two 12 volt sealed lead acid batteries and a solar panel of 22 volts open circuit. Never failed to properly charge the batteries. I did have to replace the wire form the panel to the controller once because I used cheap wire. The other problem I had was the batteries were overheating in the summer and outgassing causing corrosion in the contacts.
Paul
Can i use a boost converter to increase the voltage output of the solar panel?
mo_omer:
So the best option here would be to use more solar panels. Will it work if I connect this panel whit more in parallel to increase the current?
No.
The solar panel referenced in the OP link is insufficient to charge 12V batteries.
The solar pannel I use has an open/unloaded output of 17V and a bit less with a load applied.
Your car battery, most likely 12V, is charged by applying a over voltage and is charged to, about, 13.8 volts. If just 12 volts was produced the battery will not come to a full charge. Same goes for a LiFePo4 battery.
mo_omer:
Can i use a boost converter to increase the voltage output of the solar panel?
Yes.
But that will not work. Whiles you may increase the voltage, the solar cell will NOT provide more current.
Those solar cells, OP, are not up to the task.
The item you want, when looking at solar cells to charge a 12V battery, is the open or unloaded voltage produced.
AS noted, your solar panels are suitable for a charger for a 6 or perhaps a 9 volt battery.
Paul
Really ?
There must be ‘solar energy’ forums that can answer your questions.
Suggest you ask your questions in one or more of these forums as members there will be doing the same as you.
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