Hi All,

I was feeling poorly this morning, so gave myself the morning off and went to the Penrith Caravan show here in Sydney.

I made enquiries as to adding an extra 120watt solar panel on top of the new van, giving us a total of 240 watts. Cost = $630.00 extra fitted.

Is this about right, Or are we been had. This is our first van and never had solar before.

I over heard one guy get quoted $700 for Clear View mirrors for his Nissan Narvara, I took, he and his lady aside and suggested Flea Bay with a big thankyou.

No wonder I'm feeling Poorly. Back at work now.

Regards Jim

I buy 200 watt panels from Solargain ( idont get the government discount because I dont own a house - spewin) for a cuppla hundred bucks. Not on special or anything. Not glass but polycarbonate. I have 3 of them.

Hey Jim

Yes I think that you are definitely being ripped off.

I have bought many things from this seller without any problems.

 bit_ deals on ebay. They list a 125w  panel for $165.00

I have tried to paste the address but this tablet is not letting me for some reason.

Regards Chris

Jim,
It Depends..............
Cost of a 120Watt Sola Panel delivered around $150.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-120W-12V-Solar-Panel-Mono-Portable-Camping-Caravan-Power-Generator-Battery-/121499955928

 If your Sola regulator can take another panel nil cost otherwise another sola regulator from $50 to $200 depending on....

If mounted next to exiting Sola panel 2 x 1.5 m red and black cables from Jaycar at around $4 a metre, plus connectors.

The purchase of 4 mounting legs or make them out of angle AL, $20 to $80 depending.

Screws and silicon to hold the legs/panel to the roof of the van.

But if you are not into DIY/or feeling poorly, get a couple more quotes and someone else to do the job.

To me would only put the extra panel on if you are going to run with a second deep cycle battery to get the benefit of the second panel

Peter

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 11th of September 2015 05:23:42 PM

I have just fitted a new 200 watt solar panel, in addition to the 120 watt that came with the van. $215 delivered, and  I mounted it myself using a solar regulator I already had. Approx 5 meters of 8B&S cable plus some connectors and various bits etc.

Aussie Paul. 

Hi Nomes, and every one else,

If you are contemplating going to the Penrith show traveling west on the M4,

Can I suggest staying in the right hand lanes and go past the Mulgoa Road exit, and continue to the Emu Plains exit and come back onto the M4 Heading east towards Mulgoa exit.

It will save you any queing at all and save you a HALF HOUR WAIT, EXITING ONTO Mulgoa road off the M4.

And to Quoat Doug. You Get that for FREE!

I found it pretty ordinary. I throught they would have a,  Jayco Journey Outback on display. For me to do some more measuring with my trusty tape measure. Not to be. Cost $10

They are flat out in the factory at the moment.

Jim

Nice one Aussie Paul. It used to be that the panels were the jewels and everything was there to nourish the efficiency. Batteries secondary and then, lastly, the electronics. Now days it is cheaper to buy more panel than to chase effiiciency. Really good quality electronics can cost more than batteries and panels combined. The old "paypalpowerstations" electronics may be cheap but they blow up constantly. 

Shut the front gate!

Hey Jim mate, I say "and I tell you that for free"   

Hi Peter & Ausie Paul,

Thanks for that info,

I to thought it a bit rich, I'm very handy. Will wait and see how we go first, as I keep adding extra's, My thinking is they think, they are on a good wicket here.............

Just going on what other GN's stayhere, about more solar the better.

Thankyou.

Jim

Personally, I think Caravan Shows are only places to visit & look around to see what's new, but leave your wallet at home!. With what it costs for the merchants to set up displays, there's no way they can offer ongoing bargains. Most will be jacking their prices to cover the site fees which can be in the $1000's for the smallest site.

I love walking around and looking at the new products but it makes my head spin trying not make eye contact with the staf

Hi Steve,

Yep, I went shopping today with all good intent of opening the wallet. The prices vary greatly. I looked at Camps 8 in to sizes from $80 - $49. Earlier this week you could buy it on line $8.00 + postage. Go Figure.

I cost items all the time to find value for money.

Knowledge is power in buying all the time. Time after Time.

My mates laugh at me. But I'm the one who has the last laugh.

Jim

Hi Naomi,

You go girl, Go. And while your at it, have lots of fun doing what you love. $10 gets you through the front door.

Jim

'Hey Jim wrote,

'Yep, I went shopping today with all good intent of opening the wallet. The prices vary greatly. I looked at Camps 8 in to sizes from $80 - $49. Earlier this week you could buy it on line $8.00 + postage. Go Figure.'

********

The pricing was an error on the web site.

I ordered one on line which was accepted and paid for and then I received an email to say the order was cancelled, the amount was not charged to Pay Pal at the end of the day.

I along with many others was very disappointed, but not really surprised.

Colin