Online companies for purchasing panels, batteries etc.
8Baker said
11:32 AM Sep 6, 2017
Hi all, I'm from the UK and about to start work converting a Coaster into a passion wagon for me and the missus while we are here in sunny (hahah, I'm in vic, snow on the ground) Australia.
I'm experienced with solar installations, and have a range of suppliers in the UK that I use, I know their ups and downs, how good customer service is, price points, quality and what warranty and returns policies they employ.
Looking around the .com.au sites, I can't seem to work out if any one company is 'better' than the rest.
So my questions to you guys are: Who do you buy from and why? Anyone to avoid?
Peace, love and high voltage, 8B
macka17 said
03:22 PM Sep 6, 2017
You've had experience with solar.
Panels thenselves, pretty much the same everywhere.
YOU should know the good from the bad,
Just remember. From Chine it's around 30 days del. and bigger ones often u\s when arrive.
Buy the panel with known chips and builders rep,. and be willing to pay extra for named ones.
Have bought two sets of panels. ( 2X80- 2 X 120 wat) Off eBay . No issues .
Jaahn said
07:10 PM Sep 6, 2017
8Baker wrote:
Hi all, I'm from the UK and about to start work converting a Coaster into a passion wagon for me and the missus while we are here in sunny (hahah, I'm in vic, snow on the ground) Australia.
I'm experienced with solar installations, and have a range of suppliers in the UK that I use, I know their ups and downs, how good customer service is, price points, quality and what warranty and returns policies they employ.
Looking around the .com.au sites, I can't seem to work out if any one company is 'better' than the rest.
So my questions to you guys are: Who do you buy from and why? Anyone to avoid?
Peace, love and high voltage, 8B
Hi 8B
Welcome ! I have bought several from ebay over the years. Looked at the specs I wanted then the cheapest available in Australia. They all worked OK and I checked the output.
Customer service ?? How long are you here for ? But there are plenty of Australian sites which do not use .com.au but just .com . So restrict your search a different way, eg Australian supply only perhaps.Then include freight in the cost where ever they are.
I am puzzled by these words; "a Coaster into a passion wagon" A very unlikely combination with the distances here, but the best of luck with your project. Things improve as you leave Vic
I use a VSR to charge my battery from the vehicle alternator while driving or in case of low solar power to get by. If you drive quite a bit then it can be a cheap easy charging method.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 6th of September 2017 07:14:56 PM
8Baker said
10:08 AM Sep 7, 2017
thanks for the advice guys.
Was looking on ebay, seen some ok deals.
RE: Customer service, i mean how nice are the companies to deal with. I'd rather spend a few dollars more and have a nice guy on the other end of the phone if theres a shipping problem than some assnugget who couldn't take a flying **** at a rolling donut.
Already got my relay sorted ;)
Also brought over a SC and monitor from bogart engineering, you only seem to be able to get the monitor here.
I just bought my panels from a local domestic Solar panel supplier. They are all about the same price and the bulk dictates shipping is impractical. I have 2 x 200 and 1 x 250 w which is permanently fixed onto the roof of the coaster. The 200s are going to go up on top of my new truck.
Muzzlehatch said
01:43 PM Sep 7, 2017
P.S. I just added it all up 1x 50Ah starter bat for the 8Kva petrol genset. 2X 80 Truck bats. 4 x 150Ah house batteries. 1 I figger If I wanted to move to SA and put up with the pederasts and serial killers I could compete with Elon Musk and his dodgy mate Wetherall in chiselling the SA Taxpayer. Muzzlehatch Boltron.
Jaahn said
07:41 PM Sep 7, 2017
Muzzlehatch wrote:
I just bought my panels from a local domestic Solar panel supplier. They are all about the same price and the bulk dictates shipping is impractical. I have 2 x 200 and 1 x 250 w which is permanently fixed onto the roof of the coaster. The 200s are going to go up on top of my new truck.
Hi
You guys might be experienced and familiar with the different panel types but not everyone is so I will add this.
A lot of domestic panels are not suitable for normal battery charging as they have insufficient cell numbers to match battery voltages. So they need to be used in "special arrangements" to work OK under all conditions. 36 cells for 12volts is recommended and normal. House panels are often 30 or 32(or x2) cells.
Big panels like 200 to 250 W (or larger), are prone to cracking the glass when used for mobile use due to the larger unsupported area between the side support rails. You might get lucky but more smaller panels are generally recommended and may perform better anyway due to being better in part shading conditions common in camp sites.
Cheers Jaahn
PS The four times I ordered panels off ebay they were 'free freight' to my door. No problems and cheap and speedy. Half the price or better, than most retailers, camping and 4WD retailers. They all tested to their specs. Lately I have purchased second hand panels being removed from houses to fit bigger systems. They were an even better price and will go on my house. Look on Gumtree in your area.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 7th of September 2017 07:49:54 PM
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 7th of September 2017 09:02:10 PM
Muzzlehatch said
08:14 PM Sep 7, 2017
Jaahn wrote:
Hi
You guys might be experienced and familiar with the different panel types but not everyone is so I will add this.
<snip>
Big panels like 200 to 250 W (or larger), are prone to cracking the glass when used for mobile use due to the larger unsupported area between the side support rails. You might get lucky but more smaller panels are generally recommended and may perform better anyway due to being better in part shading conditions common in camp sites.
Cheers Jaahn
<snip>
Jaahn is absolutely correct in his comments. Mine is far from being a typical setup. It resembles a house on the back of a truck. It has a 600Ah of batteries and will have about 1 kW of Solar.
regards
Muz
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Thursday 7th of September 2017 08:16:08 PM
8Baker said
10:12 AM Sep 10, 2017
Jahhn is indeed correct, I'd like to throw in a comment on the 12/24v 'rating' of panels.
12v systems (read: 12v (nominal) battery (or multiples in parallel), you only use 12v appliances, 12v inverter etc) should use 36 cell panels with a PWM controller, or any larger number of cells for a MPPT controller.
24v systems, 72 cell panels for pwm, or 'house' (read: other cell counts per panel) panels hooked up to MPPT (as long as each string's (panels connected in series) voltage output is over 30v (>28 for most batteries, but thats a whole other ball game)
PWM vs MPPT, thats a discussion for another day.
Also, larger panels (while being inherantly more likely to be partly shaded) tend to have a better $/W ratio, require less running and securing of leads, less connections to fail (though I've yet to see a YC4 connector be a problem) and less mounting points to be drilled in the roof. To cope with the bounce you can place support under the centre of the panel.
So now I've got 4 x 190w 72cell panels on order, to go with the 330Ah battery bank I've ordered (AGM), charged by a PWM controller (SC-2030 from Bogart engineering, coupled with a TM-2030 from the same company, very clever system indeed, I highly recommend it to all!)
toglhot said
10:51 AM Sep 10, 2017
I buy from China, same panels, regs, voltmeters, DC sockets,etc, far, far cheaper. I've bought two solar panels off ebay, one from China the other from an Oz onseller, both work fine. difference is in delivery time: if you're in a hurry buy from an Oz onseller, if your not buy from China.
The difference between brand names is just that - the brand name. they all come from the same Chinese factories.
mr glassies said
03:55 PM Sep 12, 2017
Lowereenergydevelopments eBay
full stop
macka17 said
03:21 PM Sep 22, 2017
""The difference between brand names is just that - the brand name. they all come from the same Chinese factories.""
-------------------------------------
Not so much the FACTORY. More the QC on whichever lines.
Some are A Grade TOP line assy. Some you wouldn't use as a coffee table
Same as most things aywhere.
China builds some of the TOP fibregalss boat hulls in the world. Up to 150 ft and nmore.
Same as ships, and tugs especially.
You can buy the same levels of good and bad quality. everywhere in the world.
just have to sort out best from worst hey.
Hi all, I'm from the UK and about to start work converting a Coaster into a passion wagon for me and the missus while we are here in sunny (hahah, I'm in vic, snow on the ground) Australia.
I'm experienced with solar installations, and have a range of suppliers in the UK that I use, I know their ups and downs, how good customer service is, price points, quality and what warranty and returns policies they employ.
Looking around the .com.au sites, I can't seem to work out if any one company is 'better' than the rest.
So my questions to you guys are: Who do you buy from and why? Anyone to avoid?
Peace, love and high voltage, 8B
Panels thenselves, pretty much the same everywhere.
YOU should know the good from the bad,
Just remember. From Chine it's around 30 days del. and bigger ones often u\s when arrive.
Buy the panel with known chips and builders rep,. and be willing to pay extra for named ones.
That's what I've done for over 40 yrs.
www.lowenergydevelopments.com.au/
Hi 8B
Welcome ! I have bought several from ebay over the years. Looked at the specs I wanted then the cheapest available in Australia. They all worked OK and I checked the output.
Customer service ?? How long are you here for ? But there are plenty of Australian sites which do not use .com.au but just .com . So restrict your search a different way, eg Australian supply only perhaps.Then include freight in the cost where ever they are.
I am puzzled by these words; "a Coaster into a passion wagon" A very unlikely combination with the distances here, but the best of luck with your project.
Things improve as you leave Vic 
I use a VSR to charge my battery from the vehicle alternator while driving or in case of low solar power to get by. If you drive quite a bit then it can be a cheap easy charging method.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 6th of September 2017 07:14:56 PM
Was looking on ebay, seen some ok deals.
RE: Customer service, i mean how nice are the companies to deal with. I'd rather spend a few dollars more and have a nice guy on the other end of the phone if theres a shipping problem than some assnugget who couldn't take a flying **** at a rolling donut.
Already got my relay sorted ;)
Also brought over a SC and monitor from bogart engineering, you only seem to be able to get the monitor here.
definitely check it out though, great for accurately knowing what you've charged and what you've used: www.bogartengineering.com/products/trimetrics/
P.S. I just added it all up 1x 50Ah starter bat for the 8Kva petrol genset. 2X 80 Truck bats. 4 x 150Ah house batteries. 1 I figger If I wanted to move to SA and put up with the pederasts and serial killers I could compete with Elon Musk and his dodgy mate Wetherall in chiselling the SA Taxpayer. Muzzlehatch Boltron.
Hi
You guys might be experienced and familiar with the different panel types but not everyone is so I will add this.
A lot of domestic panels are not suitable for normal battery charging as they have insufficient cell numbers to match battery voltages. So they need to be used in "special arrangements" to work OK under all conditions. 36 cells for 12volts is recommended and normal. House panels are often 30 or 32(or x2) cells.
Big panels like 200 to 250 W (or larger), are prone to cracking the glass when used for mobile use due to the larger unsupported area between the side support rails. You might get lucky but more smaller panels are generally recommended and may perform better anyway due to being better in part shading conditions common in camp sites.
Cheers Jaahn
PS The four times I ordered panels off ebay they were 'free freight' to my door. No problems and cheap and speedy. Half the price or better, than most retailers, camping and 4WD retailers. They all tested to their specs. Lately I have purchased second hand panels being removed from houses to fit bigger systems. They were an even better price and will go on my house. Look on Gumtree in your area.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 7th of September 2017 07:49:54 PM
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 7th of September 2017 09:02:10 PM
Jaahn is absolutely correct in his comments. Mine is far from being a typical setup. It resembles a house on the back of a truck. It has a 600Ah of batteries and will have about 1 kW of Solar.
regards
Muz
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Thursday 7th of September 2017 08:16:08 PM
12v systems (read: 12v (nominal) battery (or multiples in parallel), you only use 12v appliances, 12v inverter etc) should use 36 cell panels with a PWM controller, or any larger number of cells for a MPPT controller.
24v systems, 72 cell panels for pwm, or 'house' (read: other cell counts per panel) panels hooked up to MPPT (as long as each string's (panels connected in series) voltage output is over 30v (>28 for most batteries, but thats a whole other ball game)
PWM vs MPPT, thats a discussion for another day.
Also, larger panels (while being inherantly more likely to be partly shaded) tend to have a better $/W ratio, require less running and securing of leads, less connections to fail (though I've yet to see a YC4 connector be a problem) and less mounting points to be drilled in the roof. To cope with the bounce you can place support under the centre of the panel.
So now I've got 4 x 190w 72cell panels on order, to go with the 330Ah battery bank I've ordered (AGM), charged by a PWM controller (SC-2030 from Bogart engineering, coupled with a TM-2030 from the same company, very clever system indeed, I highly recommend it to all!)
The difference between brand names is just that - the brand name. they all come from the same Chinese factories.
full stop
""The difference between brand names is just that - the brand name. they all come from the same Chinese factories.""
-------------------------------------
Not so much the FACTORY. More the QC on whichever lines.
Some are A Grade TOP line assy. Some you wouldn't use as a coffee table
Same as most things aywhere.
China builds some of the TOP fibregalss boat hulls in the world. Up to 150 ft and nmore.
Same as ships, and tugs especially.
You can buy the same levels of good and bad quality. everywhere in the world.
just have to sort out best from worst hey.
More the luck of the draw methink's.