The point of a voltage regulator is to protect the battery from being overcharged. It does this by monitoring battery voltage and disconnecting the solar panels when a safe maximum has been reached. 12 volt lead-acid batteries can be charged safely to about 14.5 volts. If charging continues beyond this point, the battery is in [...]
I have a small collection of solar panels, four of which are fitted to the sloping lid of a wooden toolbox which has been positioned in the garden to face due south. These are 12 watt amorphous panels, wired in parallel, theoretically providing 48 watts in full sun. They were originally connected directly to an [...]