Newbie question for foldable 80W panel

rockyblboa · August 2018

So, I just purchased an 80W portable, foldable solar panel. It comes with a charge controller. Apparently, for the charge controller to even work, it needs to be connected to a 12V battery. My question and goal is: If I want to charge a 300W portable generator, or simply just use the USB ports to charge my phone, would I still need to connect the solar panel to the charge controller? Or may I just directly plug the 300W portable generator into the solar panel (using an MC4 -> DC converter cable, of course)?

Estragon · August 2018

The pv panel is likely at ~18v vs ~5v for USB/phone. I don't know what the "portable generator" is. Maybe a 300w inverter?

If so, what you may have is a ~18v panel supposed to be charging a 12v battery (quite normal), which powers a 12vdc/120vac inverter, which powers a 120vac/5vdc "wall wart" USB charger?

Seems to me you should be able to get a simple converter to go from 12vdc (or 18ish vdc from the panel) to 5vdc USB to charge a phone without going through an inverter.

rockyblboa · August 2018

To get a clearer picture, the solar panel in question is:
https://www.amazon.com/ACOPOWER-Portable-Foldable-Controller-Suitcase/dp/B074ZNVW1T/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1530991563&sr=8-6&keywords=portable+solar+panel+kit&th=1#customerReviews

The battery charger I'm looking at would be something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/ACOPOWER-Portable-Generator-Camping-Inverter/dp/B01N9TM6E8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1534537789&sr=8-3&keywords=Lithium-Ion+batteries+portable+solar+generator&dpID=51vNPbqJ49L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

So, if I wanted to charge the battery charger, would I simply need the MC4 to DC conversion cable?
Or would the control charge still need that 12V battery pack?

Estragon · August 2018

I was thinking maybe something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/jiang-5V-20V-Charger-Regulator-Charging/dp/B01MTJCOL6/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1535478866&sr=1-12&refinements=p_36:2491155011&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

Newbie question for foldable 80W panel

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