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.
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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.
With that size panel, you should be able to recharge either 1 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 1N4148.
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.