Hey guys,
I am building a solar powered water pump system using a 40 watt solar panel (rated 12V) and a 12V 3A diaphragm water pump.
During high levels of sunlight, my solar panels had an output of 17 volts but as the sun goes down, the voltage drops (if I'm not mistaken) and so the water pump slows down.
I didn't want my pump to be operating below 12 volts so after some research, I bought as 12V mini-maximiser and tested in my school lab.
I had the maximiser connected to a current limiter power supply and a 40 watt load but when I turned the voltage below 12 volts... it had no voltage output. It only turned on when the supply was between 12 and 17 volts. And when it was on, it just gave me the same voltage as the supply.
I didn't test it with the actual solar panel and water pump yet because it has been raining all week where I am but have I 'misunderstood' what the maximiser does?! Or is it faulty? Should I refund it?
Below is the maximiser I bought... please help.
https://www.ledsales.com.au/index.p...ucts_id=1981&zenid=1e58j1uc280ag11adfdto3v7h0
Thank you guys.
I am building a solar powered water pump system using a 40 watt solar panel (rated 12V) and a 12V 3A diaphragm water pump.
During high levels of sunlight, my solar panels had an output of 17 volts but as the sun goes down, the voltage drops (if I'm not mistaken) and so the water pump slows down.
I didn't want my pump to be operating below 12 volts so after some research, I bought as 12V mini-maximiser and tested in my school lab.
I had the maximiser connected to a current limiter power supply and a 40 watt load but when I turned the voltage below 12 volts... it had no voltage output. It only turned on when the supply was between 12 and 17 volts. And when it was on, it just gave me the same voltage as the supply.
I didn't test it with the actual solar panel and water pump yet because it has been raining all week where I am but have I 'misunderstood' what the maximiser does?! Or is it faulty? Should I refund it?
Below is the maximiser I bought... please help.
https://www.ledsales.com.au/index.p...ucts_id=1981&zenid=1e58j1uc280ag11adfdto3v7h0
Thank you guys.