So looks like I'm back to a dc square wave into a transformer

Out of my league but don't think a transformer will work too well like that. You, from what I know, would need a center tapped transformer and feed it from a H-bridge. That way you get the alternating polarity that the transformer is looking for.

 

Out of my league but don't think a transformer will work too well like that. You, from what I know, would need a center tapped transformer and feed it from a H-bridge. That way you get the alternating polarity that the transformer is looking for.

Like I said it won't be the most efficient that's for sure. but the square wave is what powers ignition coils in a car and after all a ignition coil is just a HV transformer. Those have even more waste due to the nature of what they do but still you get the drift I think.

I'm not really looking to make a very efficient circuit just a way to reasonably extract a little solar out of these panels that will otherwise sit unused for 6 months.

 

Like I said it won't be the most efficient that's for sure. but the square wave is what powers ignition coils in a car and after all a ignition coil is just a HV transformer. Those have even more waste due to the nature of what they do but still you get the drift I think.

No I don't get the drift. An ignition coil is only a transformer in that it has a primary and secondary. It doesn't produce anything usable other than what it's for, making a spark. Stepping down voltage isn't quite or even near the same thing.

 

There is one thing that a transformer does not like and that is an AC waveform with a DC component. This is the one Bozo No-No with transformers.

IMHO
You should rethink the proposition of converting the wide input range DC into AC if you want to use a transformer. You can pick the DC input range and the transformer ratio in such a way that you will be able regulate the DC output that you want. You don't want to design and build things with which you have little to no familiarity. You want to find the items you need for sale. Purchasing is an easier task than engineering design, fabrication, and testing. Consider this like learning to crawl and walk before trying to run a marathon.

 

There is one thing that a transformer does not like and that is an AC waveform with a DC component. This is the one Bozo No-No with transformers.

I'm not suggesting using a ac waveform on a DC coil. Possibly a DC waveform on an ac transformer at worst.

I wouldn't be allowing a massive voltage range either. I would create a switching circuit that won't turn on the main circuit until it reaches a selected voltage on the solar panel side. Probably close to a 150v, depends on at what voltage it makes enough current to utilize the primary side of the transformer. If it makes it earlier I'd disregard and wait till 150 or so anyway. Don't want to run it at too low of voltage of course.

Perhaps I'm way off though. This is a crawl skill level talking after all lol

 

I'm not suggesting using a ac waveform on a DC coil. Possibly a DC waveform on an ac transformer at worst.

I wouldn't be allowing a massive voltage range either. I would create a switching circuit that won't turn on the main circuit until it reaches a selected voltage on the solar panel side. Probably close to a 150v, depends on at what voltage it makes enough current to utilize the primary side of the transformer. If it makes it earlier I'd disregard and wait till 150 or so anyway. Don't want to run it at too low of voltage of course.

Perhaps I'm way off though. This is a crawl skill level talking after all lol

We have a slight misunderstanding of terms.

A DC waveform has a constant value which does not change.
A square wave that alternates between say +188 VDC and GROUND is an AC waveform with a DC component.

 

We have a slight misunderstanding of terms.

A DC waveform has a constant value which does not change.
A square wave that alternates between say +188 VDC and GROUND is an AC waveform with a DC component.

Ahh yes, you would be correct. Misunderstanding. I was thinking in turms of typically ac as in negative then positive voltage/current or push, pull, push or alternating. I wouldn't consider a on off DC as ac because it's a push, stop, push rather than push, pull, push current.