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optima yellow tip overrated?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Aaron Vitolins, Aug 15, 2014.

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  1. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Measure the voltage at the clips not "connected to a battery" in the sun. If the voltage is around 17 volts it will be fine for keeping the battery fully charged.
    Ideally you should also measure the current with the panel connected to a battery with the panel covered "in the dark" there should be no current flow. If there is current flow the panel is not fitted with a diode to prevent the battery discharging into the panel when there is no sunlight. In this situation it would need disconnecting when it got dark.
    There would be no need to disconnect when starting the car.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #101 Britprius, Aug 27, 2014
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  2. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    I think the panel is rated at 22 volts
     
    #102 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 27, 2014
  3. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Under load this will drop to the battery voltage. A panel that size will only charge at perhaps 500 ma maximum, and probably more in the range of 150/200 ma if it is of older design. Solar panels have come a long way in the past few years as far as output is concerned for a given size.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #103 Britprius, Aug 27, 2014
  4. KaseyPig

    KaseyPig New Member

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    What about working of the panel? Is it still efficient? I am looking to get an old panel soon..
     
    #104 KaseyPig, Aug 29, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2014
  5. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Well I hooked it up to my lawn mower battery and it doesn't seem to make much difference. But I don't think it made much difference when it was new either. So Idk, maybe it's just a crappy soler panel
     
    #105 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 29, 2014
  6. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    What difference did you expect? Such small pannel will not charge it up. It will slow or prevent (in best case scenario) the selfdischarge rate.
     
    #106 Former Member 68813, Aug 29, 2014
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