Hi I was just wondering if anyone has tried the kick ass solar panels, put out by Australian direct.com. They have some great features as seen on their video but I can't seem to find a review of them anywhere. I would love to hear if anyone has tried them. Thanks Lynne
Cruising Cruze said
09:28 PM Feb 5, 2015
I think they are way overpriced
Cheers John
Linzeelou said
09:31 PM Feb 5, 2015
Can you suggest another brand John
Cruising Cruze said
09:37 PM Feb 5, 2015
How big you want it to be
and where are you using it for Lynne
Linzeelou said
09:56 PM Feb 5, 2015
I have two 120 ah batteries and a 80 watt solar panel on my roof. I purchased a portable 140 watt max ray panel from ebay. (Not happy Jan) They are really big, heavy, awkward and when tested with a volt meter showed 16 volts at the panel but that is not getting to the battery. They have a ten meter cable (which I am told looses too much power over that distance) with an Anderson plug but very fine cable. Both clips on the frame broke in the first week. They did send me ten dollars to replace the clips. O.k they were only 239 dollars and you get what you pay for. I guess their size, and lack of performance is the major issue. I could get heavier duty cable put on them and shorten it to 5 metres, which would help the power loss. I am quite frugal in my power useage just running a 12 volt fridge and Led lights. I have a 30 amp 240 volt charger when I am hooked up to mains. I have looked at heaps on the internet, but they all seem to have one issue or another. Maybe I am just too fussy.Lynne
Cruising Cruze said
10:03 PM Feb 5, 2015
Lynne where abouths are you ?
maybe there is a way to get you some help with this
Lets see what comes out of this first
Regards John
Linzeelou said
10:14 PM Feb 5, 2015
Hi John, I am in Monbulk, in the Dandenong ranges Victoria
Cruising Cruze said
10:28 PM Feb 5, 2015
did send you a pm ( private message )
Totalrv said
07:17 AM Feb 6, 2015
Solarking panels are great,I have had no dramas at all
03_Troopy said
10:41 AM Feb 6, 2015
Totalrv wrote:
Solarking panels are great,I have had no dramas at all
I believe the OP was asking about Kickass panels totalrv... I see you are an agent for Solar King panels, do you offer discounts to members of this forum?
oldtrack123 said
05:08 PM Feb 6, 2015
HI Lynne
One thing you MUST do if buying panels on ebay, is demand to know how the panels are rated
For 12v battery charging ,the rating should be "xxx Watts at 17to18V shown as "PPP"Also the Open circuit voltage which needs to be 21<22V
If they do not give a clear answer ,preferably in writing,do not buy from them.!!
People are being conned left right & centre by dodgy solar panel dealers on EBAY,who either do not KNOW what is required ,or are simply cons!
PG1 said
08:02 PM Feb 6, 2015
Trouble is some of the Ebay panels are being falsely labelled as is the case of Maxray panels sold by Outbax Camping, Deals Direct and others. Labelled as 18Vmp when a wafer count shows they are 14Vmp. So to be sure, ask for a cell count if not stated and only buy if it is 36 cells (18Vmp).
-- Edited by PG1 on Friday 6th of February 2015 08:05:06 PM
-- Edited by PG1 on Saturday 7th of February 2015 07:19:40 AM
mr glassies said
08:55 AM Feb 7, 2015
i like ebay panels never had a problem yet just do some research before you buy there sometimes 100% cheaper
dibs
I've used and can recommend Rich Solar Panels from Bit Deals on Ebay. Normally I don't like buying from Fleabay but my research a few years ago lead me to Bit Deals but have found they are reasonably good quality for the price with all wires and connectors being the right guage or exceeding specs for the AMPs produced. I had them on my caravan set up for 4 years and they never let me down and I now have new ones on my Motorhome and they are doing great. I've also helped 6 other people set up their solar systems using Rich Solar panels on their caravans and from all reports all are doing fine with no issues and they are all more than happy.
Yes, the panels are made in China (& what panels aren't these days), but, in this case they are made to Rich Solar specs. I've found Bit Deals to be reliable and the best value with very fast shipping from their melbourne warehouse. I'm not associated with them in any way so just passing on my recomendation.
Hope this helps,
Regards Steve.
Linzeelou said
07:36 PM Feb 7, 2015
Thanks steve I will check them out. Lynne
Danny Dkay said
04:19 PM Nov 13, 2015
Hi I purchased Kickass solar panels in June 2015 before end of financial year, tested them in June and put them into storage. Last week took them out, four months later ready for our big trip and they simply failed to work. I mean dead, no charge. Now we're struck without solar panels and now fighting with Kickass to get them looked at. Here is some ad vice, buy the Waeco solar panels from BCF.
Jaahn said
04:52 PM Nov 13, 2015
Hi Danny,
Sorry about your problem ! However it should probably be just a poor connection somewhere. Solar panels rarely just fail to work. Car someone with a little wiring knowledge have a quick look ? Nothing high tech or dangerous there.
If you want more help tell us what you have actually purchased and/or a picture or two.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 13th of November 2015 04:53:30 PM
The Phantom said
08:44 PM Nov 13, 2015
Danny Dkay wrote:
Hi I purchased Kickass solar panels in June 2015 before end of financial year, tested them in June and put them into storage. Last week took them out, four months later ready for our big trip and they simply failed to work. I mean dead, no charge. Now we're struck without solar panels and now fighting with Kickass to get them looked at. Here is some ad vice, buy the Waeco solar panels from BCF.
Danny, try them in the sunlight
The Phantom
Danny Dkay said
04:20 PM Nov 16, 2015
I've tried sun light, moon light and bathroom light, I get nothing.
-- Edited by Danny Dkay on Monday 16th of November 2015 11:21:24 PM
Hi I was just wondering if anyone has tried the kick ass solar panels, put out by Australian direct.com. They have some great features as seen on their video but I can't seem to find a review of them anywhere. I would love to hear if anyone has tried them. Thanks Lynne
Cheers John
and where are you using it for Lynne
I have two 120 ah batteries and a 80 watt solar panel on my roof. I purchased a portable 140 watt max ray panel from ebay. (Not happy Jan) They are really big, heavy, awkward and when tested with a volt meter showed 16 volts at the panel but that is not getting to the battery. They have a ten meter cable (which I am told looses too much power over that distance) with an Anderson plug but very fine cable. Both clips on the frame broke in the first week. They did send me ten dollars to replace the clips. O.k they were only 239 dollars and you get what you pay for. I guess their size, and lack of performance is the major issue. I could get heavier duty cable put on them and shorten it to 5 metres, which would help the power loss. I am quite frugal in my power useage just running a 12 volt fridge and Led lights. I have a 30 amp 240 volt charger when I am hooked up to mains. I have looked at heaps on the internet, but they all seem to have one issue or another. Maybe I am just too fussy.Lynne
maybe there is a way to get you some help with this
Lets see what comes out of this first
Regards John
Hi John, I am in Monbulk, in the Dandenong ranges Victoria
I believe the OP was asking about Kickass panels totalrv... I see you are an agent for Solar King panels, do you offer discounts to members of this forum?
HI Lynne
One thing you MUST do if buying panels on ebay, is demand to know how the panels are rated
For 12v battery charging ,the rating should be "xxx Watts at 17to18V shown as "PPP"Also the Open circuit voltage which needs to be 21<22V
If they do not give a clear answer ,preferably in writing,do not buy from them.!!
People are being conned left right & centre by dodgy solar panel dealers on EBAY,who either do not KNOW what is required ,or are simply cons!
Trouble is some of the Ebay panels are being falsely labelled as is the case of Maxray panels sold by Outbax Camping, Deals Direct and others. Labelled as 18Vmp when a wafer count shows they are 14Vmp. So to be sure, ask for a cell count if not stated and only buy if it is 36 cells (18Vmp).
-- Edited by PG1 on Friday 6th of February 2015 08:05:06 PM
-- Edited by PG1 on Saturday 7th of February 2015 07:19:40 AM
dibs
www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-200-Watt-12v-Solar-Panel-Mono-Off-Grid-Camping-Caravan-Battery-Charger-/321381293946
dibs
I've used and can recommend Rich Solar Panels from Bit Deals on Ebay. Normally I don't like buying from Fleabay but my research a few years ago lead me to Bit Deals but have found they are reasonably good quality for the price with all wires and connectors being the right guage or exceeding specs for the AMPs produced. I had them on my caravan set up for 4 years and they never let me down and I now have new ones on my Motorhome and they are doing great. I've also helped 6 other people set up their solar systems using Rich Solar panels on their caravans and from all reports all are doing fine with no issues and they are all more than happy.
Yes, the panels are made in China (& what panels aren't these days), but, in this case they are made to Rich Solar specs. I've found Bit Deals to be reliable and the best value with very fast shipping from their melbourne warehouse. I'm not associated with them in any way so just passing on my recomendation.
Hope this helps,
Regards Steve.
Thanks steve I will check them out. Lynne
Hi I purchased Kickass solar panels in June 2015 before end of financial year, tested them in June and put them into storage. Last week took them out, four months later ready for our big trip and they simply failed to work. I mean dead, no charge. Now we're struck without solar panels and now fighting with Kickass to get them looked at. Here is some ad vice, buy the Waeco solar panels from BCF.
Hi Danny,
Sorry about your problem ! However it should probably be just a poor connection somewhere. Solar panels rarely just fail to work. Car someone with a little wiring knowledge have a quick look ? Nothing high tech or dangerous there.
If you want more help tell us what you have actually purchased and/or a picture or two.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 13th of November 2015 04:53:30 PM
Danny, try them in the sunlight
The Phantom
I've tried sun light, moon light and bathroom light, I get nothing.
-- Edited by Danny Dkay on Monday 16th of November 2015 11:21:24 PM