Author: WillThrill
Subject: Connecting a 100 watt solar panel to Zamp port
Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 7:14pm
Subject: Connecting a 100 watt solar panel to Zamp port
Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 7:14pm
| Originally posted by Don Halas Am I correct in my assumption that the charge controller will maintain the battery charge and provide whatever solar energy is available towards any load demand? Or conversely will all available solar power go to the load and any excess be used to maintain the battery? |
It depends on how your charge controller is wired up. Usually, there's just one output from the charge controller: the line going to the battery. There is another output available which can be used to directly power 12 volt devices, but this is rarely used since a cloud or someone just walking in front of the panel will make the output drop too low to be usable.
So in a normal situation where the controlled is just charging the battery, any load on the battery will simply extend the length of time it takes to recharge the battery.
This means that the answer to both of your questions is 'yes'.