Charge Batteries with Solar Panel - Questions Answered

[Nerdydude101]

I know it sounds like a really stupid question but i am a bit confused as to what to connect and just want to make sure i do it right. I have a solar panel to charge a set of batteries, i connect the positive wire of the batterie holder to the negative or positive wire for the solar panel, i believe its negative but I'm confusing myself a bit haha. thanks for the help!

 

[sophiecentaur]

Your idea sounds risky. You should connect + to + and - to -. That way, when the solar cell emf is just a tad higher than that of the battery you will get a charging current into the battery.
You should make sure there is a series diode (+ to solar cell +) to stop the battery discharging through the solar cell when the light level falls. Many arrays are sold with a diode included.