Solar Panel deal

[wavery]

I purchased a couple of solar panels off eBay. I was hesitant to recommend them until I actually installed and tested them.

I can now highly recommend these 80W panels (he makes several different sizes). At $240 each, they are less than half the price of name brand panels.
http://cgi.ebay.com/80W-solar-panel-for-12V-DC-high-efficiency-great-price_W0QQitemZ220542433535QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item33595a78ff

Here they are on the roof of my PU:

[dkutz]

man you put any more in or on that trailer, and it won't be so light weight anymore.  Of course I guess thats why you bought a new TV

[wavery]

man you put any more in or on that trailer, and it won't be so light weight anymore.  Of course I guess thats why you bought a new TV

Don't worry.........now I'm broke...:morning:

[Jim K in PA]

Wayne - are you still pleased with these panels?  I want to put together something for our trip to Yellowstone this June, and was thinking of getting a single 80W panel.  Do you find the two panels (160W) to be adequate?  Too much?  Not enough?  I know, it all depends on the load.  Just curious about your real world experience.

[wavery]

Wayne - are you still pleased with these panels?  I want to put together something for our trip to Yellowstone this June, and was thinking of getting a single 80W panel.  Do you find the two panels (160W) to be adequate?  Too much?  Not enough?  I know, it all depends on the load.  Just curious about your real world experience.

Like you say, "It depends on your use". I find the 2 panels to be a ~bit of over-kill on our trips so far. Keep in mind that we have used them on 4 camp-outs now (2 of them wre 4-day camp-outs) and they have all been very sunny. I haven't had to deal with cloudy days or any obstacles yet. Also, we use a lot of electricity, including running the microwave on the inverter and haven't run our generator once. We have left every camp-out with fully charged batteries. We have 2, 6V Trojan T105s. For us....1, 80W panel would be a hassle because we would have to move it around to keep the batteries up. With the 2, 80W panels, I don't even have to think about electricity.

I just noticed that he has a special running.....$209 INCL S&H....I'd grab that.
http://cgi.ebay.com/80-Watt-solar-panel-charing-for12vdc-Tuesday-specail_W0QQitemZ220580364517QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335b9d40e5

I also noticed that he has 100W panels for $260 incl S&H
http://cgi.ebay.com/100W-solar-panel-for-12V-DC-Low-Price-High-Efficiency_W0QQitemZ220581475065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335bae32f9

Also, my panels are mounted in the flat position. If you have a way to tilt it into the Sun (if need-be), that would make it more productive.

[Jim K in PA]

Thanks Wayne.  I think it would make sense to go with two 80W panels, just for the reasons you mention, but have not yet encountered.  I figure 120W will be more than adequate for our intended/typical use, but haveing the extra capacity for marginal sun or exposure angles is prudent.

I intend to make them completely moveable, with some means of restraint for wind.  I do not want to leave them on the roof of the pup, and would like to use them with more than one camper.  

Thanks again.

[wavery]

Thanks Wayne.  I think it would make sense to go with two 80W panels, just for the reasons you mention, but have not yet encountered.  I figure 120W will be more than adequate for our intended/typical use, but haveing the extra capacity for marginal sun or exposure angles is prudent.

I intend to make them completely moveable, with some means of restraint for wind.  I do not want to leave them on the roof of the pup, and would like to use them with more than one camper.  

Thanks again.

You sure can't go wrong with the price on these panels.

Just be aware.......if you look at the weight of these panels, they are about 1/2 of the weight of the panels costing $500 each. The frames on these panels are extremely substantial so I think that the difference is in the thickness of the glass (glass is heavy). They seem very substantial but I would be careful about how they are transported, mounted and stored. Be sure that they can't be stepped on or heavy objects dropped on them.

My panels are not permanently mounted on the roof. I store them on the bed, inside the PU during transport and while the PU is in the garage. I pop-riveted "L" shaped legs to the side of the panel and the legs slide into brackets that are pop-riveted to the roof of the PU. The "L" brackets have felt on the bottom so that they don't scratch the roof when being slide into position.

[Jim K in PA]

I just saw this AM that he has a 120W panel listed.  I think that is what I will go for.

I really like your mounting system!  Thanks for sharing the pics. I also intend to transport them on the mattress in the camper, not on the roof.  Could the "glass" be polycarbonate?  Less weight is always a plus, just have to be careful with handling as you said.

The slide in place bracket method also lends itself to incorporating some security into the installation.  I don't expect too many issues in this regard, but I would feel much better leaving them unattended all day if there were some form of theft deterrent.

[wavery]

I just saw this AM that he has a 120W panel listed.  I think that is what I will go for.

I really like your mounting system!  Thanks for sharing the pics. I also intend to transport them on the mattress in the camper, not on the roof.  Could the "glass" be polycarbonate?  Less weight is always a plus, just have to be careful with handling as you said.

The slide in place bracket method also lends itself to incorporating some security into the installation.  I don't expect too many issues in this regard, but I would feel much better leaving them unattended all day if there were some form of theft deterrent.

It is supposed to be "Tempered glass".

I hope that you saw the measurements of the 120W panel. Its 5' long :eek:.

Just a note.......the other reason for the "L" brackets on my panels is to keep them from laying flat on the roof. There should be some "air space" for heat to escape. Those panels can get quite hot in the direct Sun. If they lay flt on the roof, that heat will transfer to the inside of the trailer and could damage the panels.

[Jim K in PA]

Woof - I did not notice that length.  A bit too unwieldy methinks.  I'll try for the 100W panel.

Are you using a charge controller?  I notice that the panels come with a one-way diode for current flow, so night-time disconnect should not be necessary even without a controller.

I plan on installing a pair of 6V golf cart batteries like your T-105s.  I can get Deka's near here for much less than the Trojans.

[wavery]

Woof - I did not notice that length.  A bit too unwieldy methinks.  I'll try for the 100W panel.

Are you using a charge controller?  I notice that the panels come with a one-way diode for current flow, so night-time disconnect should not be necessary even without a controller.

I plan on installing a pair of 6V golf cart batteries like your T-105s.  I can get Deka's near here for much less than the Trojans.

I would say try it without the controller once. You can always add a controller later. Be sure to have a multimeter with you so that you can check the voltage on the batteries a couple times a day. If they are over 14V, keep a closer eye on them and disconnect the panel for awhile if they get to 14.5.

If this becomes a nuisance, then you could get a controller like this one that will monitor the voltage for you. It's nt the "Best" controller on the market but it's not the cheapest either. I have this one and it works great:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HQRP-12V-10A-Solar-Charge-Controller-DC-Regulator-SCA_W0QQitemZ260575839172QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3cab87c3c4

There are the MPPT controllers that claim all sorts of great performance. They remind me of the ads for getting 10% better mileage on your car if you buy a certain brand spark plugs. IMHO.......it's snake-oil. Anyway......there are options but I sure wouldn't spend $300 on a controller that claims to defy the law of physics.......that's an argument for a different day.

You will also need some good quality 10/2 wire. I recommend marine grade wire because it is tinned. It carries more amps and resists corrosion. It's also very easy to solder:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-2-AWG-Flat-Multi-Conductor-Marine-Wire-Tinned-50ft_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem518cf04a13QQitemZ350256908819QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

These match the connectors on the panel. You'll need 2 of them unless you plan on cutting those off and installing a different connector (which I wouldn't recommend doing):
http://cgi.ebay.com/MC4-connector-for-Solar-panel-DIY-male-female-pair_W0QQitemZ280414439316QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414a00c794

[Jim K in PA]

Thanks for the links Wayne.  I agree, as long as the controller actually limits the charge voltage, I dont think much more is needed than that, especially with good quality batteries.

I'll see how the auction turns out and then move on from there.

[Jim K in PA]

Well, we will be going with a 100W panel, since we won the auction.  $259.00 delivered.  PRetty amazing price.  This panel is only 46x26 and about 22#.  not small, but should be manageable for one person.  If I find we are not getting quite enough power out of it for our needs, he has good prices on 50 and 60 watt panels that I could add on.

Once it's here I will order the cabling, and probably the controller.  For $32.00 it is relatively inexpensive for some peace of mind that I wont boil the batteries if I forget to disconnect the panel.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[wavery]

Well, we will be going with a 100W panel, since we won the auction.  $259.00 delivered.  PRetty amazing price.  This panel is only 46x26 and about 22#.  not small, but should be manageable for one person.  If I find we are not getting quite enough power out of it for our needs, he has good prices on 50 and 60 watt panels that I could add on.

Once it's here I will order the cabling, and probably the controller.  For $32.00 it is relatively inexpensive for some peace of mind that I wont boil the batteries if I forget to disconnect the panel.

Thanks again for your assistance.

If you make some way to make the panel mounting adjustable, it should do well for you. Just the deep cycle 6Vs on their own is a good upgrade. This panel on top of that will definitely increase the time between charges at the very least. You may even find that it keeps up with your usage.

I think that a 4' panel would be about all that I would want to handle. My panels are 3' each and pretty easy to handle but a 5' panel.........made of glass..........that would be tooooooo much for me. I think that you made a good choice.

[Jim K in PA]

My 100W panel arrived last Wednesday, but I only had time to unwrap it before I ran off to Minneapolis for a couple days for work.  Looks like a nicely built panel, and at a very good price.  Of course we are now in a period of crappy weather since I am back home, so won't be able to get a good measurement of its output until the sun shines clear again.  In the meantime I'll start procuring the wire, connectors and controller, and build my panel mount.

BTW - I have a strong suspicion that the "glass"is actually polycarbonate.