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Post Info TOPIC: Suggestions - Good Quality Solar Panels and Regulator?
SaltyDog


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Suggestions - Good Quality Solar Panels and Regulator?
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Hi all,

Ive been inspecting and testing some friends recent Solar Panel purchases.

As with so many things now, they have been cheap Chinese models (eBay no name or Kings, etc)

First thing i notice is the weak construction, flimsy braces and supports

Second thing i nothing is the undersized wiring and cheap termination and accessories

Third thing i notice is the cheap and nasty Solar Regulators.

They seem to be paying $200 for 180Watt foldable panel

 

I test the with my multimeter to see if the panel can supply what the stick on back quotes

In all cases, they have done what is quoted (in perfect blue sky conditions though)

 

I'd just like at ask members here, is there a better more preferred Solar Panel for travel?

 

I've looked at options from reputable Solar Distributors, but the panels are often fixed solid single piece units, of 200Watt, some being 250Watt

So size is a physical problem, storage is a problem.

Is there a known quality Camping Solar panel on the market now or has the cheap Chinese imports killed off such products, or is it just not worth the extra money these days?

 

Kings: 160Watt for $160

https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/adventure-kings-160w-solar-panel.html

 

Low Energy Development: 200Watts for $400

http://www.lowenergydevelopments.com.au/folding-solar-panel-camping-portable-suitcase/Folding-Solar-Panel-200W

 

Thanks

 

 

 



-- Edited by SaltyDog on Saturday 11th of February 2017 10:59:12 AM



-- Edited by SaltyDog on Saturday 11th of February 2017 11:03:46 AM

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dragonfly1


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We bought ours from Bitdeals on e bay 200 watts $179 had them eight years work great and no problems good to deal with 

Dragonfly1



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C Geyer
SaltyDog


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Interesting, are yours fold out or solid one piece panels?

BP used to be the leader in panels (80's to 90's)
Then Germany, but pulled out due to cheap China production
Then LG Japan were considered a great Tier 1 panel

I have no idea now days though.

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dragonfly1


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One piece panels we have 1/200 watt 2/100 watt on roof of motor home Aldi have good cheap folding panels 

Dragonfly1



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C Geyer
macka17


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German Bosch still avail I believe. as are Kyocera? (japan) and aforementioned LG.

A lot of people\company's are still willing to pay the extra for reliability and longevity.
so they'll always be avail somewhere. Just cost a bit more.

Talking BP. I laid one to rest last yr. 34+ yrs old.

It's mate on carport roof still ticking over. 40w output still av 2.14, 2.16 in sun.
Floats boat battery's.
They cost me around $600 each when new. From memory.
My first 80w was near a grand.

The LARGEST output you could buy then.
When they first started. 5w was it.

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SaltyDog


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Yes, 30 years ago i used to do Remote Area Supplies for Housing, we did the 240v side and our friends did the Solar and Inverter side
They used BP Panels and 2Volt BP Deep Cycle Batteries, each weighed 40kg+

But it has been a long time since i have played with Solar and never really with 12volt panels

So i wonder what is the best beat today?

Just go cheap and high output? Or spent a bit and get some quality that can withstand a beating and low light conditions?

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kezngaz


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We bought the 160 watt from aldi.
Got rid of the regulator straight away and run them through our redarc 40amp mppt battery charger.
We dont use alot of power and so this enabled us to keep our 2X100 ah batteries almost full for the recent 3 week trip over the paddock to the Ayre Pininsular.
Im sure others will share their own experiences.
Kezngaz.

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Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.

2014 Lc200 with 17ft New Age Big Red in tow.
T1 Terry


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Buy panels that suit the portable set up you want, then fit the hinges and legs. Next make up the cable run you want using the correct size cable and Anderson plugs to plug the solar into the van/vehicle. Last of all, buy a decent regulator and mount it close to the battery.
Next thing to think about, would light weight panels be easier to carry and store and would the extra cost be justified? Again, better to make them yourself rather than buy them poorly made. Cheaper option than the expensive panels yet better build than the cheap portables, quality is poorer with the ebay Chinese stuff than Kyocera made in Korea but the $$ difference does not equal the quality difference, anything better quality the price will make your head spin and only made for the likes of Nasa or those doing world record attempt plane/boat/EV car stuff. At less than $1/w available these days does it really matter that they might not work as well in 5 yrs time?

Recently moved the solar panels on an A class top of the line motorhome built by a mob who recently had name problems.... you might know the mob I'm referring to, 80w polycrystalline Chinese panels that showed signs of internal over heat damage after less than 2 yrs. Not the panels fault, insufficient air flow uder the panel and undersize cabling would have been the major cause and I bet they weren't cheap when listed in the value added to the motorhome so paying top $$ means very little these days. The panels we fitted in the same spot they were mounted put out more than double the amps for the same area yet would not have cost near as much, so brand name means very little these days.

T1 Terry

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SaltyDog


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Thanks guys
Both great info, some of which i was aware off, some i hadn't considered.

This is the Solar Controller i already have, PL20
www.ontopenergy.com.au/Plasmatronics-PL20-20A-12-48V-Programmable-Solar-Charge-Controller&tracking=5651cf3472ff6

I choose this controller, as i can configure the charging as per Battery Manufacturer charging spces and allows me to make adjustments should i add an 100Ah Battery

It also allowed me a much wider choice of Solar Panel in the first place, as i am not restricted to just 17vdc panels (aka 12volt)

Yes, as you say, i have seem the wiring that comes with Folding Kit Panels, it is hopeless and the terminations are even worse.

I will be running at least 6mm Twin and mounting the PL20 near my batteries, or as said, i may get a Redarc or CTEK DC-DC with Solar Charger if i feel the need.



-- Edited by SaltyDog on Tuesday 14th of February 2017 05:50:11 PM

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goldenyears


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http://www.australiandirect.com.au/kickass_300w_12v_portable_solar_panel_for_camping?gclid=Cj0KEQiA25rFBRC8rfyX1vjeg7YBEiQAFIb3bztflDBKy3USrwFTBUBKr2nDCsx7s1l3UCFV2I58AFsaAmtm8P8HAQ

 

 

Quality bag leads panel and supports not cheap but better than the alround quality of many cheapo's available  check it out .

TRYED A FEW OF THOSE $200 CHEAPO'S FORGET IT ?????????



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kezngaz


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Looks the part, doesnt say much about the regulator though.

 Is it a 7 stage charger do you know?

 Kezngaz.



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Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.

2014 Lc200 with 17ft New Age Big Red in tow.
Dav4Cris


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Salty, good choice with the PL20, you can add lots of extra solar to these, check out Rainbow Power Company

http://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/plasmatronics_PL_relay.pdf

 they have a wiring diagram that you can add a 100amp Solid State Relay mounted on a heat sink to the circuit so adding extra panels is no problem for it.

Or the Plasmatronics page http://www.plasmatronics.com.au/downloads/FAQ.upgrading.PL.system.V1.00.pdf



-- Edited by Dav4Cris on Tuesday 28th of February 2017 04:53:43 PM



-- Edited by Dav4Cris on Tuesday 28th of February 2017 04:57:24 PM

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goldenyears


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https://www.google.com.au/#q=kickass+solar+panels&*                                                  all quality from bag to panel !!



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macka17


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Those cheap panels and regulators.
yep. They work.
but for how long and what actual ampage output do you get from them in real world over,
say 12 months.
And how often and how many do you MAY have to change out as faulty over the 20 odd yrs the others are good for.
(34 plus yrs in my case)

The good ones are still only a fraction of the price of originally.
still good for probably same outputs and longevity. We'll see.

I think I'm NOT a cheapskate.
and will make do with my more expensive. longer lasting. higher overall output (probably )
items.

Not all of us live on the line of the cheaper the better. and like a little Quality in most things.

Same as I've never looked at the prices of anything I've ever bought in a food store. Ever.
But wouldn't pay more than $10 for a pr of shorts or T Shirt.
Yet normally $70 to $120 for a pr of sandals\sneakers. Priorities hey.Feet. Teeth. Good hat. and glasses.

The rest only dust covers and sun shades.

I normally go MID range. quality and pricing in most things.
Including Solar.

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