Solar panel compatibility

[HK Devices_510046838391027]

Hi, we have a problem to charge our reolink cameras, it take to much to charge with our 3w and 6w solar panel, so the question is do you sold a solar panel bigger than that? Or can we use other solar panels from another brand? in advance, thanks

[joseph_1979]

@hk-devices_510046838391027 The charging circuit limits the charging current and so you have to use the rated one. Try to contact supplier on support @ reolink . com

[Nick_26792935116]

@joseph_1979 That's not correct, I'm afraid.

The issue is that in countries which don't have as much light in the winter (such as the UK) the standard panel does not generate enough power to keep the camera charged all the time, particularly through the whole night in the darkest part of the year. I have used a panel which has twice the output of the standard panel successfully, and although it may be, as you say, that the maximum charging current is limited, the larger panel will generate that maximum current very much more of the time.

This is the same as having more solar panels on a house solar PV system than an inverter is rated for - as an example if you have 10kWp of solar panels but only a 6kW inverter, you will not get 10kW out of it, but you will get 6kW very much more of the time.

So oversizing the solar panel on a camera is definitely worth doing when the amount of light is limited.

[tomsreolink]

@nick_26792935116 Nick I'm not sure this is exactly right. I mean, you can't charge the battery-powered cams beyond their capacity. You can get them to 100% with a bigger panel, but then...will that always last you through a dark winter night with lots of activity?

It also seems to me that if 3rd party solar panels output more current and voltage than the cam can handle, you could fry the cam's charging circuit.

I just bought a "wired" Reolink outdoor camera (no battery) and intend to use a solar panel I have on hand, and a cheap solar charge controller, to charge a 12v battery which in turn powers my "wired" Reolink.

I'm not an expert--just feeling my way along with Solar at this point.

[joseph_1979]

@nick_26792935116 You may not see the effect right now but by time.