24V solar panel charger

[stokkers]

Hi all

A newbie here looking for advice.

I have a 24V driven mobility scooter, which I thought I would trickle charge using a 24V solar panel. I checked out the net and purchased on.

On a lable on the back of the panel, it states that the output voltage is 35V. I contacted the supplier who stated that this is normal.

So, I am wondering if this IS normal and would it be safe to charge the battery? The battery is 2x 12V. Would i need a voltage regulater or dropper?

Would be interested in your answers or help.

Many thanks.

Ken

[Naptown]

Hi all

A newbie here looking for advice.

I have a 24V driven mobility scooter, which I thought I would trickle charge using a 24V solar panel. I checked out the net and purchased on.

On a lable on the back of the panel, it states that the output voltage is 35V. I contacted the supplier who stated that this is normal.

So, I am wondering if this IS normal and would it be safe to charge the battery? The battery is 2x 12V. Would i need a voltage regulater or dropper?

Would be interested in your answers or help.

Many thanks.

Ken

That would be normal voltage for a 24V battery. Voltage will drop as soon as it is connected to the battery.
Of greater concern is the size in watts of the panel and the amp hour ratings on the batteries. A small say 10 or 20W panel will probably not over charge them but a larger one could. In this instance you would need to add a charge controller to prevent overcharging the batteries.

[stokkers]

That would be normal voltage for a 24V battery. Voltage will drop as soon as it is connected to the battery.
Of greater concern is the size in watts of the panel and the amp hour ratings on the batteries. A small say 10 or 20W panel will probably not over charge them but a larger one could. In this instance you would need to add a charge controller to prevent overcharging the batteries.

Thanks Naptown

Just checked on the details and from what you say, It should be OK to use as the power is only 5 watts with max current of 0.13 A.

Will just have to try it out and stand back!

[Naptown]

Before you connect anything make sure in the panel documents there is a blocking diode to prevent the battery from discharging into the panel when it is connected and there is not enough light to generate any power.

[Sunking]

Just checked on the details and from what you say, It should be OK to use as the power is only 5 watts with max current of 0.13 A.

Complete waste of time unless you only use the scooter to drive 100 feet to check your mail box once a week..

other tan that it will charge your cell phone.. .

[Naptown]

Complete waste of time unless you only use the scooter to drive 100 feet to check your mail box once a week..

other tan that it will charge your cell phone.. .

It might keep up with the self discharge but not much more.

[Mike90250]

Yet another person scammed out of $30 for a totally unsuitable PV panel. 5 minutes with the plug in charger, will accomplish what a 5 w solar panel is capable of in a whole day.

I'd fight back, the worst that happens is you pay for return postage, and get your money back.

[Wy_White_Wolf]

What type of batteries are in the scooter? Lead Acid? AGM? Lithion? Gel?

Solar could destroy your batteries if not done right.

WWW

[Sunking]

What type of batteries are in the scooter? Lead Acid? AGM? Lithion? Gel?

I canno tanswer for the OP, but I know E-Bikes area all over the place but the most common is a 36 volt 10 to 20 AH LFP, and at $500 a pop is expensive.

[daza]

Yeah I agree, that is expensive.

Mod note - Links not allowed.

[PNjunction]

In this situation, I'd also be sure to visit the UK message board of WheelchairDriver . com for more chair-specific charging techniques.

The owner of the board is a paraplegic engineer (accident), and has built some mind-bogglingly cool chairs and charging systems for his personal use. The forum threads are chock full of good advice for specific batteries and charging systems depending on your type of driving - seriously. General purpose, racing, off-road chairs etc. The battery advice is exceptionally well detailed and more or less corresponds to what you'll see here, although with greater emphasis on the specific deep-discharge real-world application a chair is subject to.

I'd definitely look into it before investing in any solar.