So I have just received 4 pieces of solar panels each puts out 10 volts on direct sunlight (7.2 volts on a hazy day). They will be used to charge 12 volt batteries 3 - 7mAh. Have not yet measured the ampere output.
I would like to connect two panels (makes 2 sets) in series making a total of 20 volts (which takes care of the voltage side) then each set connected in parallel to increase the amperes.
Each panel has a small junction box with + & - leads coming out but am unsure as to what is inside* (perhaps a diode circuit only a guess here). So two panels I connect one positive to the negative (series) as one set and doing the same for the other two panels which would be the second set. Then I parallel the two positive and two negative on each set to bump up the amp output.
Question1: Is my line of thought on the connections correct?
Question2: Will setting my multimeter to the amp and connecting the + probe to the postive of the panel doing the same to the - side give me a correct amp reading?
Thanks
* the junction box is sealed so opening it up may just damage the internal circuit.
I would like to connect two panels (makes 2 sets) in series making a total of 20 volts (which takes care of the voltage side) then each set connected in parallel to increase the amperes.
Each panel has a small junction box with + & - leads coming out but am unsure as to what is inside* (perhaps a diode circuit only a guess here). So two panels I connect one positive to the negative (series) as one set and doing the same for the other two panels which would be the second set. Then I parallel the two positive and two negative on each set to bump up the amp output.
Question1: Is my line of thought on the connections correct?
Question2: Will setting my multimeter to the amp and connecting the + probe to the postive of the panel doing the same to the - side give me a correct amp reading?
Thanks
* the junction box is sealed so opening it up may just damage the internal circuit.