Solar powering accessories

[Ikon88]

I have been tossing around the idea of setting up a sound system on the kart for a cool factor for the kids. I plan on using a low watt amplifier (100-200watt) and using an rca>aux converter cable to hook up an ipod. And the led headlight and led tail light Ideally i would like to not drain the battery everytime so i thought about a solar charging unit.
My question is will a 12v 11watt solar panel suffice for charging this while the kids ride? Is it necessary to have a controller? If the 11watt wont work what will?

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

100 to 200 watts is low power?
Most stock car radios are like 35 watts.

---------- Post added at 07:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 AM ----------

If I'm thinking right 11 watts at 12v is less than 1amp.
That's not even enough to charge a battery.

But I don't know anything about solar panels. So take my info lightly.

 

[Ikon88]

Well i considered it low in regard to my knowledge of car audio systems and powering subwoofers so i could be completely wrong im a noob when it comes to this. I mentioned 11watt because i read that you could power a trolling motor with an 11 watt solar panel so i assumed that it could charhe the battery enough

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

OK then we'll talk car stereos a little.
How long can you run your several hundred watt stereo with out the engine running. Just off the battery. I'm gonna guess not very long. The alternator while the engine running provides enough amperage to run everything in a stock to low budget installs. When you start getting into competition stereo setups they start using multiple and or high amp output alternators.

Just to run a normal stereo off a lawn battery will drain it quite quick.

You would probally need at least 10 amps of solar power to run a simple stereo. That's a pretty large panel.

I'm sure some one will chime in here and give the correct math formulas, but this should get you thinking in the right direction.

 

[Ikon88]

Holy cow

 

[Bbqjoe]

A small panel will keep a small battery like a motorcycle battery charged, a small controller is also a good idea so you don't cook that battery when there's no drain on it. It will run LED's all day long.
In order to run a good sized amp, you're going to need a good sized battery, at least the size used in your car.
For starters, do you want that much weight on your cart? Do you even have room for it?

A full sized 70 watt panel will keep that battery charged, and will boil it during idle times in the sun.
A charge controller would be needed to prevent that.

Here's a good place to bone up on some basics:https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/solar-articles/solar-info.html

I think I'd go the easy route, mount a boom box on it, and call it a day.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Exactly Joe.

A 70 watt panel at 12 volts is 5.8 amps. The equivalent of a small automotive battery charger.

 

[Ikon88]

Yea there is plenty of room for it but i did under estimate what it would take..thats why i asked thank you for your input. I really dont need 100 watt i just thought that was a low wattage amp.ill figure out the route ill go

 

[Bbqjoe]

I'd like to mount a 2400 watt stadium pa I own on my bike, but I think I'd need a trailer.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Hmm, side car, trailer....I don't know if that little 212 will keep up. Might need to step up to a big block...