Basic Info on Battery Charging

[MicroDebugger]

Hi Folks,

Imagine I have a 12V,24Ah battery that I need to charge using Solar.

I know that to charge a 12V battery, I need a voltage exceeding 12v. Ok thats fine.

What about the Ampere? and How can I find Amps of the batter from AmpereHour? by dividing it with 60?

And I do know more Ampere I apply, that fast would be the charging. So what would be the best ampere range to charge the battery I mentioned before? Is there a way I can calculate the time required to charge with all these datas known?


A newbie getting into the field. From a Mechanical and Web Development background. New to electrical and Electronics

 

[Sunny55]

For the battery's charging current, you can always refer to the battery's datasheet.

 

[MicroDebugger]

For the battery's charging current, you can always refer to the battery's datasheet.

I get your point, but incase if I dont have the data sheet, how can I calculate it? Not accurately, but within a range.

 

[dimas_lilik]

Hi, Microdebugger
Please check this attachment, I hope this is can help you.

 

[MicroDebugger]

Hi, Microdebugger
Please check this attachment, I hope this is can help you.

It doesnt really have what I am actually looking for, but yeah, that was useful stuff that I wanted to know. Cheers!

 

[Sunny55]

Since you want to charge the battery using solar power, just get a charge controller. It will ensure that you battery does not get under and overcharged. It protects your battery. If you would like to find out the range of charging current, you need to know ur panels output current. For 12v panels, you get around 5A(just double check the number). So assuming 5A * 4 hours on sun gives 20A. Thats the basic idea but you will not get 5A . Its better to use charge controller n your worries is gone.

- - - Updated - - -

There are 2 types of charge controller. Pwm and mppt. Most systems today uses mppt but it depends.

 

[MicroDebugger]

Since you want to charge the battery using solar power, just get a charge controller. It will ensure that you battery does not get under and overcharged. It protects your battery. If you would like to find out the range of charging current, you need to know ur panels output current. For 12v panels, you get around 5A(just double check the number). So assuming 5A * 4 hours on sun gives 20A. Thats the basic idea but you will not get 5A . Its better to use charge controller n your worries is gone.

- - - Updated - - -

There are 2 types of charge controller. Pwm and mppt. Most systems today uses mppt but it depends.

Thanks Sunny55.

I am aware of the charge controller, which will protect the battery. But my main concern here is, I know the battery Spec is 12V, 24Ah and Solar panel is say, around 14V with like 1A.

I dont know the current rating of the battery, So how can I know if its safe to charge the battery with 1A. Thats what I want to know actually.

 

[Sunny55]

Thanks Sunny55.

I am aware of the charge controller, which will protect the battery. But my main concern here is, I know the battery Spec is 12V, 24Ah and Solar panel is say, around 14V with like 1A.

I dont know the current rating of the battery, So how can I know if its safe to charge the battery with 1A. Thats what I want to know actually.

For that, you need to refer to battery's datasheet. It will tell you the maximum allowable charging current.

 

[Tunelabguy]

Battery charging rates are generally specified in terms of the C-rate, as described in this Wikipedia article. I think I remember seeing that anything around C/1 or C/2 is considered "fast" charging, while something in the range of C/20 is considered trickle charging. As others have said, the datasheet for the battery you are using is the best guide, but lacking that I suggest you look up a datasheet from any battery of the same technology (lead-acid, niMH, or whatever) and approximately the same capacity. Use the same C-rate and you should be fine. That is, charge at a rate that is a certain fraction of the Amp-Hour capacity.

 

[tpetar]

Hi Folks,

Imagine I have a 12V,24Ah battery that I need to charge using Solar.

I know that to charge a 12V battery, I need a voltage exceeding 12v. Ok thats fine.

What about the Ampere? and How can I find Amps of the batter from AmpereHour? by dividing it with 60?

And I do know more Ampere I apply, that fast would be the charging. So what would be the best ampere range to charge the battery I mentioned before? Is there a way I can calculate the time required to charge with all these datas known?


A newbie getting into the field. From a Mechanical and Web Development background. New to electrical and Electronics

For normal charging process of Lead Acid batteries if you dont have manufacturer datasheet apply C/10 (24/10 = 2,4A max charging current - charging battery for 10h with max 2,4A current). charging current will falldown during charging process. Of course you can charge battery with lower current, but look to complete charging cycle in 24h to avoid sulphatisation on lead plates (in 10h is best).