Question 1

Will this unit regulate charging, so as to avoid over-charging a battery?

Accepted Answer

So a lot of misinformation here...  this unit comes with a blocking diode built in to the unit (I have had one of these plugged into by van for about 10 years).  This blocking diode prevents the car from supplying current into the panel (like at night), which would result in slow discharge of your car battery.  You can leave this plugged in all the time (like for 10 years).  The person talking about the Schottky barrier diode has it wrong.  This type of diode has a lower forward drop voltage (less than half a traditional silicon diode).  And you DON'T put it between the two terminals...  in one direction it will short your panel and car battery (blow the fuse and probably fry the diode), if you put in the other direction it does NOTHING... it is in reverse bias, and essentially no current flows.  If you decide to put it in series with the charger, you will reduce the available charging voltage (and therefore the available  current) by about 0.3 volts.  The internal blocking diode is already doing this job.  If there is someone out there that has the problem of discharging the car batter overnight, you either have a bad battery or your solar panel blocking diode is shorted (not working).

Question 2

I don't understand what good it is in lighter socket if car must be running. When running, battery charges anyway! What am I missing?

Accepted Answer

You're right.  MOST cars don't power the cigarette lighter unless the key is on.  So if the key is off your solar battery is not connected.  That's why they give you battery clips so you can clip the PVP (PhotoVoltaic Panel) directly to the battery.  You could hard wire a socket directly to the battery if you like.  GO to a junk yard and scrap out an old lighter port from an older car and wire it in.  Since this panel is a mere 300 mA (0.3 amps) you don't need heavy gauge wire.  But you DO need to be sure you don't short out the wire on some sharp metal surface.

Question 3

Why would you use an 18V charger for a 12V battery. It seems to me this would be too much voltage.

Accepted Answer

Solar panels can put out any voltage, up to some maximum "open circuit voltage". If you put the panel in the sun, and measured the voltage across the leads without connecting it to anything, you would measure 18v, which is the open circuit voltage.Solar panels also have some voltage at which they will generate maximum power, this is the "Max Power Point", hopefully this is about 12v for this panel.The solar panel will match the voltage of any battery that you connect it to, but if the battery voltage is above the "open circuit voltage" (18v), it will not generate any electricity, and will not charge the battery.Ignore the other answers here, they are not accurate.

Question 4

What size is the female barrel plug?

Accepted Answer

The size from the actual solar unit is 5.5 x 2.5.  80w panel

Brand	ALLPOWERS
Material	Monocrystalline Silicon
Product Dimensions	12.6"L x 5"W x 0.12"H
Item Weight	11.4 Ounces
Efficiency	High Efficiency
Included Components	Trickle battery charger maintainer, Car charger cigarette lighter plug(power cord 1.5m), Battery charging clip line(power cord 1.5m), Suction cupds, Manual
AC Adapter Current	0.2 Amps
Maximum Voltage	12 Volts
Maximum Power	5 Watts
Special Feature	Portable
UPC	621112731905
Manufacturer	ALLPOWERS
Item Weight	11.4 ounces
Item model number	AP-18V5W
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Manufacturer Part Number	AP-18V5W-CA
Special Features	Portable
Voltage	12 Volts
Wattage	5 watts

ALLPOWERS18V 12V 5W Portable Solar Panel Car Boat Power Solar Panel Battery Charger Maintainer for Automotive Motorcycle Tractor Boat RV Batteries

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