solar panel+inverter+load=power cuts off

[jessie]

Im new here so if i posted in the wrong place im sorry..I got a foldable solar set up with 6 panels 14"x 4" at a garage sale for $20. i put the panels in the sun,hooked up my 300W inverter,plugged a small radio into inverter,and the radio worked for like 5 minutes..Then my inverter started making a beeping sound, so i unplugged it..I've been reading the posts and wonder if i need a charge controller..I'd like to know if i can just hook up my inverter to the panel and then plug in the device..do i need a bigger inverter?..Im just experimenting...would like to use the set up only during the day, preferably at the beach? Am i way off course? I'm in hawaii, and would also like to power a fan at the beach..:any advice would be appreciated...Jessie

[axis11]

You need a battery to stabilize the voltage going to the inverter. Too low or too high a voltage would shut the inverter.

[Sunking]

Now you need a $50 controller and a $75 battery

[jessie]

thank you both

Thank you both for the HELPFUL info..im so excited..gonna go out and find a battery and controller...I'll keep in touch...mahalo jessie

[jessie]

i forgot

Hey, i forgot to ask ...what size and what kind of battery and what size and what kind of controller?..jessie As soon as the sun comes out i'm putting out my panels to see how much voltage these panels make..

[inetdog]

Hey, i forgot to ask ...what size and what kind of battery and what size and what kind of controller?..jessie As soon as the sun comes out i'm putting out my panels to see how much voltage these panels make..

The voltage they make (into an open circuit) will be pretty much the same as long as they are getting any light at all.
Full sunlight will allow them to produce the most current (into a short circuit for measuring or into a load.)