All you need is a multimeter.
How to test a bare solar panel with a multimeter.
If you need a multimeter you can get the innova 3320 auto ranging digital multimeter here htt.
3 amps is about normal since your panel may not be currently getting maximum sunlight.
The amp reading on your multi meter should be close to or just under 3 5 amps.
When you buy solar panels you need to check quite a few things to make sure you are getting the right kind including checking the solar panel output buying and installing solar panels requires some research to determine how many you need to get enough output to satisfy your electric needs.
Testing your solar panel is easy.
Open circuit voltage can vary depending on your solar panel but the readings we are usually looking for are in the range of 15 to 23v.
Testing the 12 volt solar panel.
Then touch the multi meter s black negative lead to your solar panel s negative wire.
Results will vary depending on sun strength time of day angle of light and temperatu.
How to test a 12 volt solar panel vs other voltages.
You want to choose a voltage range capable of displaying the maximum possible voltage of the panel in open circuit this means that if you have a panel rated for 20 volts you should set the multi meter.
You will want to ensure that you place the positive to positive and negative to negative when attaching your multimeter to the connection on the back of your solar panel.
To test a 18v solar panel voltage output directly put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the dc volts setting.
The next step is to connect the black probe to the com labelled port and the red probe to the v ma labelled port.
See how to test your solar panel for open voltage and current reading.
For example if your solar panel is 20 volts rated your digital multimeter should be set to a reading of 200 volts for an accurate reading.
Simply touch the solar panel leads with the multi meter probes matching their corresponding polarity red to red black to black.
Some exceptions may apply based on panel type.
Including the solar panels.
I had a look at dads multimeter and the amps were set out way simpler.
As most solar panels are 12 volts the solar panel test methods are basically the same.
Switched multimeter this type of multimeter manually switches between the ranges to get the most accurate reading.
While using this multimeter select.
Using a multimeter to test a solar panel.
I think i stuffed up explaining the amps setting on this one as some of the megas ma.
There are two types of multimeters.
