Feeder Help - PLEASE

How many volts should a 12V feeder solar panel be putting out?

Am I correct in saying that a fully charged 12V feeder battery sould read between 12 & 14V?

Most modern 12V solar panels will put out 13-15V.

Yes, a fully charged 12V battery should read between 12-14V. Will sometimes read 15, though 13/13.5 is the norm.

Normal 6v/12v solar panels put out extremely small amounts of amps. When a solar panel is initially connected to a dead battery the voltage will be down very low and will increase as battery charges. With no use, a solar panel will take a long time (maybe several days of full sun) to fully charge the dead battery.

This.
You have to have more charge voltage than the battery voltage or it will never top off.

FYI - the answer is 20-22V, in full sun, for the typical 6x6/8x8 solar panel used on most deer feeders.

Klinker, so you asked the question and then you later answered it..... Does that mean it was a test for us(which is fine), or did you find the answer elsewhere and just reported back??

None of mine read that high, even new/clean & in full sun. I've tested numerous times with a Fluke Meter.

Yes sir I have as well, 20 plus volts even at low amperage will kill a battery in short order. I’m not saying their isn’t some made like that but I haven’t seen one. I test everything before I install them and I’ve checked a lot over the years. They have to be over 12volts to charge but if yours is putting out 22 volts I’d be buying some spare battery’s.

Freerange, I found the answer elsewhere and wanted to share the info...not a test.

The 4 that I tested yesterday all read 21.something volts, which is exactly wwhat Roger at Alamo Feeders told me they should read in full sun...his feeders have been running on the same batteries for 2.5 years now. The two Texas Wildlife Supply panels I tested yesterday also read 21.something volts. I have not tested the Rambal, Lamco or Top Hand feeders yet, but by appearance they all have the same solar panel.

EDIT: That is 21.something open circuit voltage...without a load (not connected to the battery - tested disconnected at the end of the panel leads)

Im guessing readings may vary based on what you are checking them with? I would think like others that 20+ volts would not be good.

I test my solar panels every year at least once. Most of my 12 volt ones will put out 18 volts or so(with no load) in the sun. IIRC my panels are only putting out 70ma. The key is testing one in the shade or cloud cover to see how many volts they are putting out. I also will test them while hooked to the battery. Cleaning a solar panel on a regular basis helps their efficiency.

Very important to test them with a draw on them.