Solar panel testing

[xtian]

I have a cheap solar charger, about 6 x 9 inches. I want to see how much current it can produce. This afternoon, out in the direct sunshine, it was producing ~7vDC. Can I just test the output of the solar panel with my multimeter set to read current, or do I need a dummy load in series?

I will use the same methodology to test the available current of a 120vAC to USB charger.

I volunteered to help research equipment for ompt.org, a nonprofit that sends digital video kits to the poorest parts of the world to help educate. Pretty cool. Shoot video on an Android phone, and project on a wall with a palm-sized projector. Magic!

[xtian]

I guess I can put my multimeter in series with the positive leg of the charger DURING charging, and see what current the device is sucking up when A) connected to the real 120vAC-to-USB transformer, and B) when connected to the solar panel.

[xtian]

Don't mind me. Lots of helpful info on testing PSU here:

http://www.talkingelectronics.com/proje ... plyP2.html

[gui_tarzan]

What do you think this is, a Solyndra forum?

[xtian]

Jim, can you help me troubleshoot my mechanical turk? It's just made of PARTS, like everything else in the world.