Looking for for 6V 0.5A solar panel

[Simon]

Hello -

I'm looking for a solar panel or panels to supply up to 0.5A at around 6V (for powering a small IP camera), preferably with built-in regulation, for permanent installation outdoors. The camera can't see at night, so battery backup is not required. The ones at RS, Maplin and Farnell seem to be either tiny ones that can't supply the current, or hefty and expensive 12V units that would require external step-down circuitry.

It looks like my combination of requirements will cost around £200 - any ideas on how I might achieve them more cheaply?

Thanks

Simon

[bigcat]

around 6V

regulation, for

1=2E Get low v ones from Rapid.com 2=2E Better: buy a 12v one and a 6v regulator. If you dont mind an extraa few quid, if you get one with larger rating your cam will keep going further through the day. 3=2E If you use a switcher reg you'll get significantly more operating hours out of it.

No way will you need to spend anything remotely approaching =A3200.

4=2E Realise the solar panel will give up long before daylight does. A small set of nicads would extend operating hours until dark.

NT

[Alan]

In message , Simon wrote

If your proposed system hasn't got a battery acting as a reservoir the panel will have to supply your volts/amps under the worst case daytime weather conditions. The panel will have a quoted output with a certain input light level.

This means that you proposed system may require a panel with a better specification or running a panel capable of a higher voltage output with a regulator.

[Set Square]

Are you sure about Rapid.com?

The only one I can find seems to be a Canadian company involved with oil well technology.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Rapid Electronics do them at what looks like decent prices.

[Toolmaker]

"Simon" wrote

These are 12v, but you could possibly use to recharge a small lead-acid battery and step down to 6v

[Simon]

Thanks, the price certainly looks right. My only concern is contact resistance - each cell only produces 0.45V, and I can see a lot of that being lost in all those bus-bar-terminal interfaces. Experience with bike lights has made me wary connections in low-voltage systems. I may buy a couple and see if they can be soldered.

[Set Square]

Thanks. [Not quite the same as "Rapid.com"!]

[Dave Plowman (News)]

They certainly look like the connections are adequate. And being copper can be easily soldered. Dunno if a heatsink might be required though, if they're easily damaged by heat.