12v (15w) solar to 6v trickle on ford 8n

homer14

Member
Hello,

I"ve read some posts in here and elsewhere about 12 to 6v. Lots of technical stuff but I"ve not convinced myself if if or what i need to make this work.

I have a sunforce 15w 12v solar panel. See link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50033-15-Watt-Solar-Charging/dp/B001RJOP5Y

It has a 7amp charge controller, the diode to prevent loss of battery... But this is all a 12v setup.

what can i connect to this (if anything needed) to make it most efficiently trickle charge my 6v battery in a 1951 ford 8n of mine?

Do i need another diode?

Everything i read shows people trickle charging at things like 100ma.. but if this thing puts out 1amp in prime, how to we keep it closed to 100ma?

Thanks for your help
 
new... i posted in the wrong forum, meant to put under 8n but i was clicking post, after reading another post. sorry.

topic applies here too though.
 
You need a three legged 6 volt voltage regulator, probably less than $10, but make sure it will pass the required current (5 amps).

Or you could add a variable resistor to a higher voltage regulator and have any voltage you want up to the maximum output of the panel (usually around 16 + volts DC).

Google "simple power supply circuit" and you will find a number of very simple regulated supply circuits. You will not need the transformer and diode rectifier as your supply is already DC.

I'm sure a radio Ham or electronics tech could build you something in a few minutes.

Here is an example of what you need:

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZV1506

Just noticed there is an adjustable regulator there for Aus$30. Will be far cheaper in the USA.

P.S. Here is a US supplier: http://www.jameco.com/1/3/voltage-regulator-6-volt
 
You mentioned ot make sure it passes the required
amps... and put 5 amps..

each of these 3 legged guys seems to be 1.5 amp or
1amp, my panel only puts out like 1.25amp max i
think.

where are the 5amp 6v ones you mention?

also, so am i just wiring one of these three
legged little guys in line to the battery. you
said no diode needed, but what about at night when
the battery wants to send voltage toward the solar
panel, isnt that why diodes are used? to prevent
battery loss?
 
does this do the same thing?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Waterproof-DC-Converter-12V-Step-Down-to-6V-3A-15W-Power-Supply-Module-/130807486598

or am i still lacking a diode?
 

I believe the 15 watt panel is much larger than what you need to maintain a 6 volt battery. Using a smaller panel will also eliminate the need for add on controls.

I have used a 5 watt Sunforce (amorphous) panel to re-charge and maintain a deep cycle 12 volt battery since 2007. The battery is used to power a light for a storage building I have in my woods. The panel is mounted vertical to a south facing wall and uses no controller etc. I would need to check but I believe the blocking diode is built into the panel.

For a 6 volt battery, to simply maintain (no re-charging) I would consider the Sunforce 1.8 watt panel, with blocking diode and again amorphous construction. The solar panels do not actually output 12 volts but rather a range of voltages depending upon load (amperage). For example; at 7.5 volts the 1.8 watt panel should output approximately 240 milliamps to maintain the battery.
 
[b:817bc3d42b]New Waterproof DC Converter 12V Step Down to 6V 3A 15W Power Supply Module[/b:817bc3d42b]

Looks like it will do your job. For US$3.06 and free postage, I'd be giving it a try!!!

You won't need a diode but if you insist, put a diode in series with the battery. Make sure it is connected in the correct direction to pass current.

The only problem may be that the devise does not put out a high enough voltage to FULLY charge a 6 volt battery. You should have 6.9 volts to fully charge the battery.

Bob in Oz
'53 TEA20
 
(quoted from post at 06:56:53 12/08/13) Hello,

I"ve read some posts in here and elsewhere about 12 to 6v. Lots of technical stuff but I"ve not convinced myself if if or what i need to make this work.

I have a sunforce 15w 12v solar panel. See link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50033-15-Watt-Solar-Charging/dp/B001RJOP5Y

It has a 7amp charge controller, the diode to prevent loss of battery... But this is all a 12v setup.

what can i connect to this (if anything needed) to make it most efficiently trickle charge my 6v battery in a 1951 ford 8n of mine?

Do i need another diode?

Everything i read shows people trickle charging at things like 100ma.. but if this thing puts out 1amp in prime, how to we keep it closed to 100ma?

Thanks for your help

Good post.. I have been facing similar problem with my panels and now I will be able to get it solved..
 

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