I got ambitious today, and wired up and installed 5W solar panel, 1.3 Ah 12v battery, charge controller to a wireless automotive back-up camera. The day started with a clear sky, figured I'd put off the tire-fire for another time, it's been a while been a while since we had some good sun, decided to do something solar. But wouldn't you figure, shortly after finishing, the clouds start rolling in.
I ran the camera for quite a while off the battery, before getting the solar charging part hooked up, and it was down to 10.8 volts. It worked for a little while, but now it's on/off. I had only guessed that the battery and 5W panel would be enough to keep it going, and a few hours into the night. Have to give it a few day, and see if the battery catches up. Was pretty sure the camera draws 140mA, the panel puts out 320mA, should have 180mA to charge the battery. Need to find the specs for the camera, the 140mA might have been the little monitor that came with it. Other than being mirror image (reversed), not a bad $28 camera. I bought 2, now kind of wishing I had gotten a couple more. It's 2.4 GHz, and works fine with with another receiver. The monitor it comes with is about the same size as my digital camera, and unfortunately doesn't work on a 9v battery.
Not too bad if it works out, can swap out the panel with a 15W, but was hoping to keep those for another project. Kind of amazed that an in-car wireless camera would have such a powerful transmitter. It's a good 40 feet from the house, which is concrete block (filled on the outside walls).
I ran the camera for quite a while off the battery, before getting the solar charging part hooked up, and it was down to 10.8 volts. It worked for a little while, but now it's on/off. I had only guessed that the battery and 5W panel would be enough to keep it going, and a few hours into the night. Have to give it a few day, and see if the battery catches up. Was pretty sure the camera draws 140mA, the panel puts out 320mA, should have 180mA to charge the battery. Need to find the specs for the camera, the 140mA might have been the little monitor that came with it. Other than being mirror image (reversed), not a bad $28 camera. I bought 2, now kind of wishing I had gotten a couple more. It's 2.4 GHz, and works fine with with another receiver. The monitor it comes with is about the same size as my digital camera, and unfortunately doesn't work on a 9v battery.
Not too bad if it works out, can swap out the panel with a 15W, but was hoping to keep those for another project. Kind of amazed that an in-car wireless camera would have such a powerful transmitter. It's a good 40 feet from the house, which is concrete block (filled on the outside walls).