Unregulated solar input

[amec]

Greetings all,
I sometimes use an unregulated solar panel on the roof of my car to feed into the redarc dc-dc charger.

Wiring diagram does not show a fuse needed on this input.

Should i be using afuse on this input?

[nj swb]

Greetings all,
I sometimes use an unregulated solar panel on the roof of my car to feed into the redarc dc-dc charger.

Wiring diagram does not show a fuse needed on this input.

Should i be using afuse on this input?

Probably not. A fuse would be used to protect the cable from overheating, during overload or short circuit. You haven't specified the size of your solar panel, but I doubt it will put out enough current to damage your cable.

[amec]

The panel is 110watt. I have seen it put out 18volts and 7 amps.

[Dicko1]

The panel is 110watt. I have seen it put out 18volts and 7 amps.

I,ve never seen a 110 watt put out 7 amps.....Reckon there is an error somewhere

[amec]

That was using a clamp meter so the accuracy might be questionable.

[sharkcaver]

I,ve never seen a 110 watt put out 7 amps.....Reckon there is an error somewhere

18 x 7 = 126 watts. Not 110W, true, but close enough.


Lower Voc panels (18V) produce more amperage than higher Voc panels (21V)

[Kingbrown]

There should be a short circuit current Isc detailed for the panel (label attached to the back).
Characteristics dictate that a panel's short circuit current will be only slightly higher than the current at maximum power output.

[littleriver]

I,ve never seen a 110 watt put out 7 amps.....Reckon there is an error somewhere

I have 130 @ 7.88amps max ...

...

[CarlosC]

It was good for me to read it. Thanks, guys.