A Non-MPPT Solar Panel Will Have a Difficult Time to Fully Charge the RV, Caravan and Boat Battery

If a solar panel is not equipped with MPPT (maximum-power-point-tracker) technology, it will not perform at its highest efficiency when charging the RV / Caravan / Boat battery. Below are some facts that cause this inefficiency to happen.

• During the different stages of the RV / Caravan / Boat battery's capacity, the battery requires a different voltage applied to the terminals to get itself fully charged.

• A solar panel produces a different output voltage under different conditions: intensity of the sunlight, ambient temperature, the rated output voltage level on the STC (standard Test Condition).

• The required voltage to fully charge the battery and the output voltage from the solar panel is usually not matched at any single time.

So what happens when you hook up a 70 watt solar panel to your battery? Unfortunately, what goes into the battery is not 70 watts. On a given situation, your panel puts out 3.69 amps. Your battery is setting at 12 volts under charge: 3.69 amps times 12 volts = 44.28 watts. You lose 25 watts. That 25 watts is not going anywhere - it just is not being produced because there is a poor match between the solar panel and your RV / Caravan / Boat battery. With a very low capacity battery, say 10.5 volts, it's even worse - you could be losing as much as 35% which is 38 watts (3.69 amps times 10.5 volts = 38 watts).

Conclusion: Due to the constantly poor match of the required voltage to fully charge the battery and the output voltage from the solar panel, the non-MPPT panel usually will have trouble completely replenishing the RV / Caravan / Boat battery. What an RV / Caravan / Boat owner needs is a smart enough MPPT device to convert the solar panel output to the required voltage, to fully charge the battery and not throw away the panel generated power.

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Ultra Wheels For The Auto Enthusiast In The House

It would seem as if there is an unending selection of Ultra wheels with many colors and styles to choose from. The wheel exceeds market safety requirements and is bargained priced based on the years of service the rim provides. The Ultra looks great on the SUV and most light trucks.

Some people like to go to a store front auto rim display store where they can see the actual wheel they will be buying. Others like to shop on the internet for their rims because they can do comparison shopping without driving around town. The Ultra comes in every color and style from matte black with luster trim to classic chrome.

These wheels are manufactured with five and eight lug nut models. Make sure to mount the proper sized wheel because a vehicle with an improper fitting rim is a road hazard. Look up the vehicle's wheel size in the vehicle owner's manual or take the vehicle to a store front service center where the sales person will be able to determine the right size rim for the vehicle.

Many auto owners will attest to the fact that these rims are not the cheapest on the market. But because these wheels will probably last the lifetime of the vehicle, in the long run, the rims are a bargain. Vehicle owners concerned about price can shop on line and do quick comparative pricing and some companies offer internet users with a coupon code a discount.

The rims are warranted against structural failures and come with a limited lifetime warranty. The rims are guaranteed for material or manufacturing defects which take place during normal road use. Keep sales receipts in case there is a problem and proof of purchase needs to be established.

Many vehicle owners like these wheels because they are looking for a rim that adds flair and style to their vehicle's appearance. Each year there are new styles and colors added to the product selection so every year a vehicle owner has an even bigger selection to choose from. Many vehicle owners order the rims on line and have then delivered to their home and install the rims on their own.

Use only properly certified mounting equipment when installing the rims or else the wheels can be damaged. Perform a trial fitting of the rim before mounting the tire in order to properly line up the wheel and lug nut patterns. Avoid forcing a rim against the hub by using lug nut force. The wheel has to freely set in place.

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