Topic: Solar Panel Output voltage

[DAVE Z]

Does anyone know what the output voltage of the solar panel is on the VP2 manufactured in 2007?

[njc68]

I should know soon.  I suspect mine is bad and I've ordered a new one.  My battery has been dying pretty quickly (and I've already replaced the cap) so I measured the solar output.  I was not getting a consistent voltage from it, even in direct sunlight.  It was bouncing around sub 1VDC.  I thought I had a bad connection but I'm pretty sure that wasn't it.  There was a difference when it wasn't in the sun.  I expect the new one from Scaled Instruments to be here today or tomorrow.

I know this is an old thread but perhaps this info is valuable to someone.
Nick

[davidmc36]

I get about 2.25 volts on a spare panel.

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=43906.msg446952#msg446952

[CW2274]

I don't use mine anymore, so I pulled it out of storage and on the back it states:

Solar Module DVS-1.4

Operating Voltage: 1.9V

Operating Current: 0.75A

Open Circuit Voltage: 2.4V

Short Circuit Current: 0.8A

That is all...

[ocala]

Just checked mine today.
2.20. Surprising since it's quite old and faded.

[njc68]

I posted this on a different thread but wanted to include it here also:

After receiving the new one and measuring ~2VDC or so, I messed around with the old one.  If I pressed fairly hard on the middle of the panel I would read a nominal DCV.  Visually it looked like there could be a gap between the metal strips. I got this system in 2010 so not a bad run.

[vinceskahan]

Semi unrelated, but is it possible to reuse an old VP2 solar panel for something like powering a raspi pico or the like ?   I have my old (working) one just sitting around unused...