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mojo43
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# Posted: 7 May 2013 11:56
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Is there a way that I can connect a solar panel to a 120 volt plug so that I can charge things like a laptop or say a battery charger with 4 AA batteries?
I am wondering if it is possible to skip the battery in the solar equation and go directly to the battery of the unit that I would like to charge?
Thanks in advance...
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rayyy
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# Posted: 7 May 2013 12:20 - Edited by: rayyy
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Sorry mojo,you can't.All charging systems,whether their a generator,alternator,solar or wind powered need to be able to put that little trickle charge into a storage battery of some sort.From there you can power up somthing from a steady supply of current.An inverter will turn that dc power into ac power to run small,household 120 volt stuff.I use a 12 volt car charger right off my batteries to charge up my cell phone.Picture a battery as a storage box for electricity.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 7 May 2013 13:47
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Mojo,
It is possible to charge AA's directly from a solar panel. Think solar lawn lights. It is best to use a charge controller circuit to get the correct charge on batteries and not overcharge them.
My cheap Harbor Freight charge controller has several DC voltages out so one may charge via a USB port (e.g. phone) or a 12 volt car-type output.
If the sun goes behind the clouds, your power drops too, so this is where a battery helps fill in the gaps.
If the solar panel was of sufficient wattage and it was sufficiently sunny, I don't see why you couldn't directly power a similar or lesser wattage inverter for 120V AC out, but you'll have the same limitations if the sun gets obscured.
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mojo43
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# Posted: 8 May 2013 11:59
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I guess I am looking for something a hub that would be able to charge the batteries of different units. I have seen the ones on amazon that charge via usb, but I haven't seen any battery chargers and laptop chargers that would be able to charge this way....
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