Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[txdon]

After reading the review and your help here it looks like only one person in Texas had a problem without a regulator and he left it on for 6months during the bight sunshine in Texas when he was out of town. His battery cracked. I fin ally did read the instructions and they do recommend a regulator - (I guess for people like the one in Texas).

On the first partly cloudy day it was producing 19 to 23 volts and my lawn mower battery went from 11.9v to 12.0v.

Now the big complicated question:

Can I put this charger on my 6 Volt 1947 Farmall A battery? Is there a regulator that I need? Where would I find a variable 6V-12V or 6V regulator if I also buy the 15W solar panel? Thanks.

 

[Travelover]

After reading the review and your help here it looks like only one person in Texas had a problem without a regulator and he left it on for 6months during the bight sunshine in Texas when he was out of town. His battery cracked. I fin ally did read the instructions and they do recommend a regulator - (I guess for people like the one in Texas).

On the first partly cloudy day it was producing 19 to 23 volts and my lawn mower battery went from 11.9v to 12.0v.

Now the big complicated question:

Can I put this charger on my 6 Volt 1947 Farmall A battery? Is there a regulator that I need? Where would I find a variable 6V-12V or 6V regulator if I also buy the 15W solar panel? Thanks.

All you need is a DC-DC step down converter good for at least 2 amps. You connect the +/- from the panel to the input and the +/- of the battery to the output and adjust the screw until the output reads 7.5volts. I'd stick this circuit board in a water proof container like a cheap Tupperware and seal the wire pass through .

Here is an example:

3A DC DC Converter Adjustable Step Down Power Supply Module Replace LM2596S Fo | eBay

 

[txdon]

Thanks Travelover, you got me searching in the right direction. Would something like this work:
Amazon.com: SMAKN Dc/dc Converter 12v Step Down to 6V/3A Power Supply Module: Electronics

Would it work on the 1.5V solar panel or only the 15V solar panel and would a regulator be needed before or after the step-down converter?

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks Travelover, you got me searching in the right direction. Would something like this work:
Amazon.com: SMAKN Dc/dc Converter 12v Step Down to 6V/3A Power Supply Module: Electronics

Would it work on the 1.5V solar panel or only the 15V solar panel and would a regulator be needed before or after the step-down converter?

Wouldn't that just put out exactly 6V which wouldn't really be enough to keep a 6V battery charged properly. Doesn't look adjustable either.

Maybe something similar like this: Amazon.com: Questions And Answers: Is this unit adjustable or not? The only review by a buyer states that it is not, yet in the picture you can clearly see an adjustment screw? (although there seem to be some issues, read the reviews and questions)

 

[ThomasH]

Thanks Travelover, you got me searching in the right direction. Would something like this work:
Amazon.com: SMAKN Dc/dc Converter 12v Step Down to 6V/3A Power Supply Module: Electronics

Would it work on the 1.5V solar panel or only the 15V solar panel and would a regulator be needed before or after the step-down converter?

That voltage step down unit says it is adjustable. As long as you set it for about a 7 volt output, you should be good.

 

[IslandTractor]

That voltage step down unit says it is adjustable. As long as you set it for about a 7 volt output, you should be good.

I don't see the Amazon link product txdon posted saying it is adjustable and the whole thing is sealed in an epoxy pot. The original board you posted was adjustable but not weather proof.

 

[California]

I'm just thinking theory here, maybe someone with experience in circuit design can improve on this:

For the little solar panel rated at 1.5 watts/24v = 63ma (maximum in ideal conditions) I doubt a regulator is needed for either a 12 volt or a 6 volt battery so long as you measure the battery voltage occasionally and remove the charger when it reaches full charge. I expect that would take at least several days minimum for a tractor battery. Adding a regulator to this tiny output might absorb the entire output.

Also in practical use with the tractor partly shaded under a carport etc, the charger output will be less than its rated spec.

Anybody have practical experience designing small solar systems?

 

[Travelover]

I don't see the Amazon link product txdon posted saying it is adjustable and the whole thing is sealed in an epoxy pot. The original board you posted was adjustable but not weather proof.

Yea, I don't think the Amazon converter is adjustable because it is potted, as you mention. You really need more than 6 volts to maintain a float charge. These DC-DC converters are pretty efficient - at least 80% so I think it would work as a float charger.

As an alternative, here is a 6 volt solar charger: Amazon.com: Moultrie 6 Volt Solar Panel: Sports & Outdoors

 

[California]

... here is a 6 volt solar charger: Amazon.com: Moultrie 6 Volt Solar Panel: Sports & Outdoors

The reviews there look excellent - and that application runs on battery power continually. Price is only $20. That seems like the best solution so far, for maintainig a 6V battery.

 

[txdon]

As an alternative, here is a 6 volt solar charger: Amazon.com: Moultrie 6 Volt Solar Panel: Sports & Outdoors

Excellent suggestion. Reading through the reviews, it is used mostly for deer feeders. One reviewer said it did not work on a tractor and one reviewer said it did, but most everyone liked it. It would be an inexpensive experiment. Thanks.