How To Test Solar Panel Amps With Multimeter

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.

How to test solar panel amps with multimeter. I had a look at dads multimeter and the amps were set out way simpler. The latter is preferred as it has more added qualities. How to test a 12 volt solar panel vs other voltages. Analogue and digital multimeter.

In this test a multimeter will be the best tool to know the volt and amps of your solar panel. After doing your solar panel testing you should find that the solar panel output for the pv panel you built on the make solar panels page is about 18 volts and 3 5 amps. Whenever you have these two values you can figure out the wattage by multiplying them together. On a quick connect plug b coming from the solar panel the covered female part is the positive lead and the exposed male prong is the negative.

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. A good quality multimeter an auto range preferably or one that can read current and voltage. This is an easy way to vary the resistance to known settings while it is fixed in the circuit. I think i stuffed up explaining the amps setting on this one as some of the megas may have been millis.

There are two types of multimeters. As most solar panels are 12 volts the solar panel test methods are basically the same. A variable resistance box. 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.