Hi guys, i just want to charge some stuff like camera batteries, phone etc..pretty much everything is charged via 5v usb. The problem i have is that i have a fold out panel with a sae dc type plug which comes with a cigarette lighter 12v port. The problem is that most of the time there is only around 10v being produced by the panel so it seems that a cigarette lighter to usb adapter doesn't want to work as i presume that if there isn't enough voltage from the source, it won't be able to run through the resistors or however that works. Any ideas on how to make this work? I have looked for sae dc to usb adapters but they are all (for what i can find) 12-24v
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Solar panel for camping problem
Collapse
X
-
Originally posted by littleharbor View PostThat roll out panel is either, not 12 volt , not in DIRECT sun or not working rightComment
-
It may not be a bad panel, but you are trying to draw too much current from it. Since it appears you can measure the voltage with a meter, what is the voltage not connected?
You can buy a couple $ buck converter which will drop the panels voltage to 12V and increase the the current slightly. This will give you better performance in decent light conditions. However, once more is drawn than the panel can produce the voltage rapidly drops. There are circuits that will keep the panel voltage constant and will continue to charge at a lower current.
Comment
-
Originally posted by PNPmacnab View PostIt may not be a bad panel, but you are trying to draw too much current from it. Since it appears you can measure the voltage with a meter, what is the voltage not connected?
You can buy a couple $ buck converter which will drop the panels voltage to 12V and increase the the current slightly. This will give you better performance in decent light conditions. However, once more is drawn than the panel can produce the voltage rapidly drops. There are circuits that will keep the panel voltage constant and will continue to charge at a lower current.Comment
Comment