So I just purchased a Sunforce 5 watt "12 volt" battery trickle charger for my home generator--this is my first foray into the solar panel era. The Generac has a 12V tractor-type battery to start it up, and I want to keep that battery full so it's ready for use when the power goes out (I know, this isn't a camping/RV specific question, but there's so much pooled knowledge on these forums, I knew this was the place to ask.) So I'm reading the directions, and it says you can measure the output of the panel with a voltmeter (which I was going to do even before I read it,) and it says that the voltage "should be between 16 and 25 volts in full sun."
16-25 volts?!?! What happend to it being a 12 volt charger? Now I know it's only a 5W panel, which should come out to about 350mA of current, and while it does have a blocking diode to prevent battery discharge at night, it doesn't have a built-in charge controller. So is that much voltage going to hurt the battery? And do I need a charge controller for a 5W panel? I'm a little concerned...
Thanks in advance.
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2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)