Solar Panel Model 684 SP60 12V-16V 1.25 Watt

I've had this thing for something like 15 years and it just failed because over the years the sun/uv light fried the wire coating and made it brittle and since I had let it out on the roof of the car for some extra charging, and we had a little summer rain, it shorted and fried the panel. I knew the wire was getting funky and I was planning on replacing and lengthening it for when my truck is parked in the shade, but when I checked it today it was too late. . . If I had redone the wiring and siliconed for water tightness, the darn thing would still be working.

All in all however, this has been a great little power source. The trickle charge is so gentle and so constant it never stresses your battery with over charge or lets it sulfate with no charge. It greatly extended the life of an old battery when I first bought it--I had wanted to work out where the electrical short was on my truck before I replaced the battery. And it has greatly extended the life of the new battery, even when the truck has been sitting for long periods in shade for a good portion of the day, especially in winter. More than once I have left my lights on at work, discovered it at lunch time and finding my car wouldn't start,I merely moved the panel to a sunny spot and it fired up no problem by work's end. Much easier than jumper cables, plus no sulfate damage = longer battery life. Great for that added boost when using extra battery while parked, i.e., charging cell phones, mp3s, and running the radio. Great for that car that sits while you are away, a car with an unknown small energy drain/short, etc. Great for those occasional mistakes when we leave something on and dead the battery. It will recharge in strong sunlight and prolong the life of your battery.

I suspect that the trickle charge is so therapeutic to batteries that auto parts stores don't even like to sell these, fearing they will sell less new batteries. And when they do they sell them, it's the cheapest brand for the highest $$. Try Lowes if you need to walk in to a store. If you want something really weather resistant get a marine battery maintainer. Don't be afraid of the relatively low watt on this one though, all in all it's pretty tough one and it's safer not to overcharge. With good wiring and a little silicone it is more weather proof than most, although I left it in the car most of the time, especially in winter. Just be prepared to redo the wiring in 10 years if want this one to last.

I read all the data on this thing and got the impression it was variable voltage through controller or switch. You can buy them in different configurations but mine said it was the 12V model on the box. Although the voltage varies, the max it does in direct sunlight is 19.8V at .074mA from what I've seen.

The thing that doesn't make the lack of data bad is it was only thirty something dollars and is corrosive proof, water tight, and some other stuff. It's in a thick acrylic case and the circuitry is in epoxy. It has no switches and two alligator clips. It's just a strait rugged solar panel. I've water tested and drop testing it.

My 200W inverter can do 10.1V to 16V within the unload and overload protections, but it requires 0.1A and a single panel just does 0.074. You'd have to get a low watt inverter that has a low -0.074 underload shutoff or wire two in parallel and put them in darker shade to keep in the voltage range.

You can get more and hook them up in series and parallel to increase voltage and amperage/current. You can also boost voltage and amperage through configurations of components on a simple circuit from radioshack parts.

I plan on making a cheap controller out of radioshack parts and a IC to convert DC to AC even if it's just like 1Watt.

Buy Solar Panel Model 684 SP60 12V-16V 1.25 Watt Now

I had my doubts when I ordered this small solar panel, but for the price, I thought I'd give it a try. The panel really surprised me, as I set it up and stuck an OHM meter to it and it was putting out 23 volts DC. Charged up a lawnmower battery and was great at charging my cell and other small items. Good deal here.

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Second one I purchased. That should say it all. Good product, and priced where it should be. To make this a twenty word review I will havt to ramble on about nothing. The real thing is that I got what I wanted and I'm happy. can't say more than that.

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