got a solar question

[nolan m]

never used solar before, so how much would 2- 6 watt solar panels be able to power, and how beneficial would it be to my battery. For a party bus more than anything, my battery can only go so far, so about how much would an extra 12 watts be able to power, and for how long.
anyones guess is better than mine

[SeanF]

how much would 2- 6 watt solar panels be able to power

Relatively speaking, not much. Consider that a 60-watt light bulb uses roughly 5x what those panels could produce in full sun.

Look at the power usage info that is present on every electrical appliance, tool or gadget to see what normal wattages are.

There are lots of threads here about power usage, solar power and batteries. The search function is your friend.

Good luck
Sean

[Lady Franklin]

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[lapeer20m]

Originally Posted by nolan m

never used solar before, so how much would 2- 6 watt solar panels be able to power, and how beneficial would it be to my battery. For a party bus more than anything, my battery can only go so far, so about how much would an extra 12 watts be able to power, and for how long.
anyones guess is better than mine

another issue is that most parties happen at night, which would render your solar panels pretty much useless.

just fyi, volts x amps = watts. so a 120 volt tv that uses 2 amps would consume 240 watts. (120 x 2 = 240)

Those solar panels you speak of may be good to trickle charge batteries if the bus were parked for extended periods of time with zero electrical loads.

[nolan m]

well then for the parties i guess its pretty useless, but as for charging my battery, it would help, because it does sit for long periods of time, and everytime it needs to be moved, we have to jump start it, so it may help at least a little after all. thanks

[elkoskoolie]

My first bus also needed jumping often. I'm positive it had a small phantom load, or a bad circuit. I think you would probably do well to also install a battery cut-off switch. Might help with the need to jump. Also a good theft deterrent! Just make sure to direct wire the solar panel, if used, i.e. so the cut-off doesn't also disconnect the panel!! Discharging your start batteries is very bad for them.