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This is how I remembered Ohms !aw when I was an apprentice mechanic at exam time.
In the UK domestic electric supply is 240 volts I remember that a 1 HP electric motor is roughly 750 Watts at 240 volts and draws 3 amps. (not exact but near enough)
After my recent trip to Wyoming, I've been looking into a solar panel to recharge my power bank, Ipad, and phone. Sorting through all the claims of power output is a jungle. I have a small (Ebay) panel rated for 100W at 5V, which would lead one to think it could put out 20A. I've got an inline ammeter and the most I've ever see it put out is about 0.5A, so that's only about 5W, not 100W. I guess they calculated that 100W rating on 24 hours of full sun?
OTOH, some 28W and 45W panels advertise 3 USB ports rated at 2.1, 2.1, and 2.4 Amps. But, at full output, the panel only puts out 2.4A, not 6.5 Amps. Nothing I have looked at so far puts out even 3.1A at 5V. These are all smaller portable panels, not really for charging power stations, but I would think at least 3.1 A would be feasible. I'm trying to balance practical portability (I truck camp) with reasonable output, Ipad takes 2.4A, power bank 2.0A, and phone takes 1.0A, so output of 6A at 5V would be ideal.
Not really needed until next summer, but I'm glad to have time to research these options, and the ads can be quite misleading. I'm looking at spending around $100, no need for a panel/powerstation system for my needs, and they get pricey fast. I can always charge from my truck when I'm driving, but not when I'm camped as it's bad for the truck battery.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Jul 28, 2025 at 08:39 AM.
that ideology is very old, using a water hose to describe electricity flow, BUT, it does not hold water anymore since man has come to a better understanding of it.
while simple in form it is better to get the real picture. they once thought the earth was flat.
Just to add.. Quite often in the formula, you'll see E used instead of V for volts.. (In this case, E stands for Electromotive Force)... So rather than V=IxR it will be E=IxR Both are correct.
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