Solar Power Battery Charger Kit- Harbor Freight 1.5 watt

Part 1 Click here for part 2: (READ MORE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnrVeEItoeM
http://www.driverstorer.com/amorphous-solar-powerbattery-charger-kit-byharbor...
DS tests the Harbor Freight 1.5 watt amorphous solar panel- solar battery charger kit. Chicago Electric Power Systems

Article link: http://www.driverstorer.com/harbor_freight_solar.html

For use with auto, marine, ATV, and other trickle charge applications

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DS briefly runs through a series of current and voltage tests on the Harbor Freight 1.5 amorphous watt solar battery charger kit.
The harbor freight amorphous solar battery charger kit includes:

*One mountable solar panel with hard plastic bezel measuring 14-3/4" L x 6-1/2" W x 7/8" thick
*Detachable vehicle adapter with activity LED (12V)
*Documentation

Formulas used to calculate the wattage from the solar panel:

Variables:

V=Voltage
I=Current
R= Resistance
W= Watts
V=IR (ohms law) (to double check calculations)
W=(I^2) R (reads: (watts = current squared * resistance))

Current measured (100 ohm resistor in series) 25 -- 35 mA
Output wattage calculated in overcast skies (100 ohm resistor)=

W@ 25mA= 0.0625 (62.5mW)
W@ 35mA=0.1225 (122.5mW)
W@ 120mA= 1.44

Assuming you reach the advertised max current from the solar panel of 120mA you seem to max out at 1.44 watts theoretically. This is close to the 1.5 watt rating of the solar panel, but slightly less.

As a vehicle battery trickle charger, the Harbor Freight 1.5 watt amorphous solar panel- solar battery charger kit will work as advertised, however local conditions will always affect the efficiency of any solar panel. When designing a solar panel system, is it always best to overestimate the necessary wattage to compensate for environmental factors. The Harbor Freight Solar Battery Charger Kit is a great piece to familiarize yourself with solar energy, at a low cost.

For $20, harbor freight has put together a neat, potentially outdoor use (need silicone caulk) solar panel perfect for powering small electronic devices or trickle charging batteries. Wire leads can be used in lieu of the 12V car adapter to more easily power/charge other electronics.

Harbor Freight 1.5 watt amorphous solar panel- solar battery charger kit Product link as of 03/19/201:

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-44768.html

Click here for part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnrVeEItoeM

Harbor freight provides a cheap source or renewable energy with this solar energy solar panel .

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar panel
• harbor freight
• battery charger
• voltage
• current.
• solar
• auto
• marine
• atv
• energy
• diy
• harbor freight battery charger
• harbor freight solar panel
• solar energy

[AngryDragonKungFu]

Can you convertt the cigarette lighter end inti an outlet so i can charge an ipod or cell phone from one of these? Thanks for the vid too! I just bought one of these from a salv-o for $3. I utilized your video to determine if it worked properly! Thanks a million!

[driverstorer]

@AngryDragonKungFu Not directly. You would need an inverter to do so.. or a car charger made for the ipod or other device in question. I would not charge sensitive electronics directly with this charger as the output voltage is not regulated.

[wifebeater756]

@AngryDragonKungFu yea put a 12 volt usb adapter on it

[vegasfordguy]

I had this same HF panel for years. It always kept my boat batteries fully charged while in storage.

I just purchased the HF 5 watt panel today to keep my camper battery charged while in storage.

HF has pretty good solar products for the money.

[chenkyle11]

very good!