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NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
Item# 121186
This NPower 5 Watt amorphous solar panel is ideal for cars, ATVs, PWCs, light duty trucks, SUVs and all 12V batteries as a battery maintainer as well as a trickle charger. Clean and quiet operation. Its an effective way to replenish your batteries for quick starts. Built-in blocking diodes prevent discharging at night. Use for larger applications such as boats, RV, tractors, antique cars, pumps, electric fences and more. No installation required. Product Style: Battery charger/maintainer, Watts: 5, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 18 x 14 1/2 x 1 1/2, Panels (qty.): 1, Material: Plastic, amorphous solar cells, Battery Included: No, Battery Type: 12V, LED Light: Yes, Includes: Panel, clamps, 12V plug, wiring Amorphous solar panel charges in all light conditions - will work in the shade, clouds and indoors Built in overcharge/discharge protection - no need for a charge controller and will not overcharge your battery Self-regulated unit; simply plug in and it begins working immediately with no maintenance Ideal for cars, SUVs, trucks, tractors, boats, and much more ABS frame ensures durability and the panel is completely weatherproof Includes 12V power source adapter, battery clamps and 4 precut holes and screws for mounting
Questions & Answers for NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
Question
will this panel do multiple battery banks & weather proof?
asked 2 years ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
pebbles
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
3 answers
Answers
answer 1
This panel is weatherproof, for sure. I've had two of them out in the weather for over two years and they work well. They are completely sealed.
However, they are not designed to maintain multiple batteries, nor a bank of batteries. Mine produce no more than 5 watts and very small (one-two amps?) amperage; particularly on cloudy days. Still, this panel produces enough amperage to keep a single 12 volt battery, such as my lawn mower battery, at top charge by "trickle charging" it. By comparison, I have another panel, also bought from Northern Tool, that is 12 volt 15 watt panel, that I use with a charge controller to maintain two spare car batteries that are connected to my generator. This 15 watt panel easily keeps both car batteries fully charged. But still, it is just a "trickle charger." For heavy deep cycle battery charging, you need much more amperage than either of these smaller panels provide. For example, I have two 180 watt (max 40 amps each) panels on the roof that, through an automatic charge controller, will not only fully charge from a drained condition, but also keep charged ("trickle charge") my bank of deep cycle batteries. .
However, they are not designed to maintain multiple batteries, nor a bank of batteries. Mine produce no more than 5 watts and very small (one-two amps?) amperage; particularly on cloudy days. Still, this panel produces enough amperage to keep a single 12 volt battery, such as my lawn mower battery, at top charge by "trickle charging" it. By comparison, I have another panel, also bought from Northern Tool, that is 12 volt 15 watt panel, that I use with a charge controller to maintain two spare car batteries that are connected to my generator. This 15 watt panel easily keeps both car batteries fully charged. But still, it is just a "trickle charger." For heavy deep cycle battery charging, you need much more amperage than either of these smaller panels provide. For example, I have two 180 watt (max 40 amps each) panels on the roof that, through an automatic charge controller, will not only fully charge from a drained condition, but also keep charged ("trickle charge") my bank of deep cycle batteries. .
answered 1 year, 11 months ago
by
Rural
- West Virginia
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 2
It is weather proof but the capacity does not lend it self to multiple battery banks.
answered 1 year, 11 months ago
by
tlinson
- Long Island NY
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 3
This panel is weatherproof and could be used to maintain up to two batteries when they are fully charged and wired in parallel.
answered 1 year, 8 months ago
by
NPowerExpert
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
Is the panel waterproof?
asked 1 year, 7 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
Anonymous
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
3 answers
Answers
answer 1
Yes, this solar panel is weatherproof and can be kept outdoors. The weatherproofing also includes UV protection.
answered 1 year, 7 months ago
by
NPower13
+5points
5out of 5found this answer helpful.
answer 2
So far, so good!
answered 1 year, 6 months ago
by
davidlaing
- Stockton Springs, Maine
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 3
Yes, To get max power keep panel clean of dirt and dust & wipe water off panel after rain. Still waterproof, but works better when kept clean. I run a security camera from the panel.
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
BigBrad
- Upstate,SC
+3points
3out of 3found this answer helpful.
Question
can you have any kind of a load on the battery while charging?
depth finders, livewell pumps, etc. can any of these things be on while the panel is connected?
asked 1 year, 4 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
cdub
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
3 answers
Answers
answer 1
Yes, this panel can be used to maintain a battery while the battery is supplying power to other items. Keep in mind that if the amp draw of the items that are being powered by the battery exceed the output of the panel, the battery will continue to discharge, it will just take it longer to do so with the panel connected.
answered 1 year, 4 months ago
by
NPower13
+6points
6out of 6found this answer helpful.
answer 2
Absolutley, Aprox.22-23VDC out-no load. Still will only provide 200-260mAh @ 14-15vdc plus diode protection in the panel. so Yes hook it all up..
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
BigBrad
- Upstate,SC
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 3
The directions said to disconnect it from the battery when using the battery on a heavy draw, like starting your car.
It comes with a power supply plug. They tell you to plug it into the power supply (cigarette lighter) to charge the battery and pull the plug out to start your car.
It comes with a power supply plug. They tell you to plug it into the power supply (cigarette lighter) to charge the battery and pull the plug out to start your car.
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
wildcat280
- Butler, PA
-1point
0out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
What is the amp output of this panel?
asked 1 year, 11 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
papachomp
- Saint Cloud
-1point
0out of 1found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
This NPower solar panel can generate 5 Watts of power per hour, which is equal to 350mA of current under ideal conditions.
answered 1 year, 8 months ago
by
NPowerExpert
+2points
2out of 2found this answer helpful.
answer 2
5watts / 12volts = 0.41amps.
It does not seem like much, but it will keep the battery from discharging.
It does not seem like much, but it will keep the battery from discharging.
answered 1 year, 5 months ago
by
thesolarguy415
- Conway, AR
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
can this work on a fan on RV
I plan to connect this to the fan on a RV. If the fan is off, will this damage the panels?
asked 1 year, 10 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
winnhip
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
If the fan on your RV is run by a 12 volt battery this will work great for your application, this NPower panel charges 12 volt batteries which power 12 volt appliances.
You will not damage the panel or the battery if the fan is off because it has built in diodes to prevent any damage.
You will not damage the panel or the battery if the fan is off because it has built in diodes to prevent any damage.
answered 1 year, 8 months ago
by
NPowerExpert
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
you should hook the fan to a deep cycle battery and hook the solar charger to the battery. This way the power generated by the charger is stored in the battery.
answered 1 year, 5 months ago
by
mjy80
- atlanta, ga
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
Can I use this panel to trickle charge a 6-volt golf cart battery?
asked 1 year, 8 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
Huds
- Alabama
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
This panel supplies 12 volt current. To use with 6 volt batteries, two batteries will need to be in the same condition and wired in series.
answered 1 year, 8 months ago
by
NPower13
+3points
3out of 3found this answer helpful.
answer 2
No - this would require a voltage regulator to drop it from 11-14 volts to 6-7v. This wouldn't / shouldn't be hard to find.
answered 1 year, 5 months ago
by
Mtncrvr
- Chapel Hill, NC
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
How about two six volt deep cycle batteries connected in series?
For twelve volts total.
asked 1 year, 7 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
Anonymous
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Yes, this panel could be used to maintain two 6 volt batteries when the batteries are wired in series.
answered 1 year, 7 months ago
by
NPower13
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 2
Absolutely! Mine is hooked up to FOUR 12VDC batteries, and it keeps them all topped up.
answered 1 year, 6 months ago
by
davidlaing
- Stockton Springs, Maine
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
can you get longer than 9 1/2 feet of wire
asked 1 year, 7 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
Anonymous
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
No, the wiring with panel is permanently attached and cannot be replaced with longer wiring.
answered 1 year, 7 months ago
by
NPower13
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
answer 2
NO YOU HAVE TO ADD WIRE. SOLDER ONLY NO BUT CONNECTOR. TO MUCH RESTANCE
answered 1 year, 6 months ago
by
OLDDIRT
- ROOUND MTN NEVADA
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
What is the mounting pattern for the panel and what size hole?
asked 5 months, 1 week ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
Anonymous
- Kansas
+1point
1out of 1found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
The bolt holes are 3/16" in diameter and are 7 7/8" apart side to side and 13 1/8" apart top to bottom.
answered 5 months, 1 week ago
by
NPowerExpert
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
The panel comes with 4 predrilled holes in the exterior plastic frame. Two on each of the sides perpendicular to the side with the cord attached. The kit comes with 4 phillips head screws in order to attach the panel to most locations.
answered 4 months, 3 weeks ago
by
kvfc130whacker
- Kratzerville, PA
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
OK for standby generator?
In the Manual it says be sure the panel is disconnected when operating.
Can this panel be used to trickle charge a stand-by generator battery?
Can this panel be used to trickle charge a stand-by generator battery?
asked 5 months ago on NPower 5 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel
by
xyxyxx
- Martha's Vineyard
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
The solar panel can be used to trickle charge the generator battery. The panel needs to be disconnected when on a vehicle due to safety reasons.
answered 5 months ago
by
NPower12
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
yes, but disconect before running the gen set.
answered 4 months, 1 week ago
by
howdy68
- bar harboe maine
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.