I'm diving into a DIY project with a couple of solar panels and I'm trying to figure out how to connect them to a battery setup to store the energy. I want to build my own battery box that works with the solar panel, but I'm also open to using a kit if it simplifies the process. My main goal is to save energy in a battery and monitor things like voltage, charge, and temperature. I'm really new to this, and my only experience so far is with Minecraft Tekkit, so any guidance would be appreciated!
2 Answers
To start your DIY journey, you can either go super basic or invest in a solar MPPT battery charger. If you choose the simple route, grab a couple of voltmeters, a solar panel, and a lead-acid battery. Connect the panel to the battery, using one voltmeter in series (to check amps) and another in parallel (to monitor volts). Just be careful, though! If you leave the connection too long, you might ruin the battery. An MPPT charger is a smarter option because it protects your battery and can show you real-time data, which is fantastic for beginners. I'd recommend brushing up on some basics about watts, volts, amps, and watt-hours too!
Thanks for the insights! I'm definitely leaning towards a system with monitoring capabilities. Is there a way to create a custom setup that tracks voltage and such without buying everything pre-made?
You might want to check out some inexpensive solar controllers—they're a blast to work with! I found a cool one on eBay for under £7. It's perfect for a 12v battery, charging safely while showing voltage readouts. Just remember to connect everything correctly since polarity matters! This type of controller offers decent output and is a good way to dip your toes into solar projects before getting into fancier setups. Good luck with your project!
I appreciate the advice! I'm not looking to set up a massive power system, but it's good to know how to save energy if I need to. Just want to get a solid understanding of how these panels function!