Discharging battery

[gunnyart]

I have a small solar panel charging a deer feeder 12 volt 12ah battery.
I think the panel puts out about 18-20 volts depending on conditions.
I don't know the amp flow.

It apparently doesn't have a blocking diode in the circuit because it's draining the battery faster than it can charge it.

It's 190 mile trip to the feeder so unfortunately I can't take any measurements.

What size diode do I need?

Should it be wired in series in the negative or positive lead from the panel?

Thanks so much, Art

 

[(*steve*)]

The diode can be in either the positive or the negative lead.

If the charge current is under an amp, a 1N4001 would be fine.

A 1N4001 is rated for 50V and 1A. Any diode rated at 50V or more and greater than your charge current will be fine.

If you put it in the +ve lead, connect it so the striped end goes toward the +ve terminal of the battery.

If in the -ve lead, the stripe should be away from the -ve terminal of the battery.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

Are you sure the solar panel is large enough?

It needs to provide enough average current to cover the average load on the battery, plus a bit because the battery isn't 100% efficient, plus a bit for the leakage current of the battery, when averaged over a period of a few days.

Even during summer with clear skies, it needs to be able to supply at least 3~4 times as much current as the average battery load current, in sunlight.