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- 1). Read the installation manual for the solar panel and note the rated power of the panel in watts. Log onto the Internet and do a search for "step-up DC converters." Look for a model that has a power rating equal to, or more than, the power of the solar panel. The converter should have an input voltage between 20 and 25 volts, and an output voltage between 30 and 40 volts. Buy the converter that fits these specifications. Ask the supplier what gauge copper wire he or she recommends in order to connect the converter to the solar panel.
- 2). Decide where you are going to place the battery and the DC converter. The battery should be in a cool, well-ventilated space. The DC converter should be installed close to the battery. The solar panel should be outside in a place that gets the maximum amount of sunshine during the day. Point the panel due south and at an angle equal to the latitude of your location. Measure the distance between the solar panel and the converter, and between the converter and the battery. Add up this distance in feet and multiply by two. Buy this length of copper wire.
- 3). Follow the instructions in the installation manual for the DC converter. If the converter has an adjustable output, set the output voltage at 30 volts. Connect the negative terminal of the solar panel to the negative terminal on the input side of the converter. Connect the positive terminal of the solar panel to the positive terminal on the input side of the converter.
- 4). Connect the battery terminals to the output terminals of the DC converter and turn the unit on. If there is sunshine on the solar panel, the battery should now be charging, and the DC converter should be showing that it is operating correctly. If the converter displays its output voltage and current, make a note of these figures. Verify that the output voltage is between 30 and 32 volts.
- 5). This installation will charge the 24-volt battery, but there are two things to consider. Is the current produced by the solar panel high enough to charge the battery in a reasonable period of time? If so, how do you prevent the battery from being overcharged? It is not possible to answer the first question without knowing the power of the solar panel. To prevent overcharging the battery, you should install a 24-volt battery charge controller between the DC converter and the battery. Otherwise, check the voltage of the 24-volt battery by turning off the DC converter and measuring the battery voltage with a voltmeter. Stop the charging when you measure the battery voltage at just over 25 volts.
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