I'm trying to charge rechargeable AA batteries with a solar panel. What guage wire should I use to connect the panel to the batteries? Should I use a diode to keep the batteries from overpowering the circuit? If so, what size? My panel is 4.8V 50mA.
You not only need a diode, but a circuit that opens the circuit if the voltage falls below a certain level. The diode is not the problem, but the batteries powering the solar panel when the voltage falls to low.
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With that size panel, you should be able to recharge either AA battery, or two AA batteries in series. Yes, it would be a good idea to put a blocking diode in series with the panel - anything will do, like a N448. You will want to use NiCd batteries if possible, because they take a trickle charge of 50 mA much better than NiMH (which prefers pulse charging, a more complicated circuit). You can use NiMH if you must. Needless to say, don't try to charge non-rechargable batteries. Also realize that at this charge rate, it will take days, maybe even a week, to charge the batteries, if left out in full sun all day long.
