ridge rider vs xtm vs rough country solar blanket?
Joker said
01:38 PM Feb 26, 2022
Hi everyone,
I try to find out which ones of the above are "sort of reasonable good quality". Has anyone experiences with on of these! They all come with a regulator and cost between $299 and $349.
I know you get what you pay for but sadly that is all what I can afford also getting a battery box and a deep cycle battery (Thinking a 110AH one) to run a 55W 40l fridge and a couple of lights.
Thank you in advance
86GTS said
01:59 PM Feb 26, 2022
I've had these for around two & a half years. They've been great so far but Covid-19 has restricted their use.
I have a 10m extension cable as well.
There's also a 250W version.
Previous to buying these I used extremely heavy, expensive 120W Projecta panels. They're gathering dust in the shed.
The solar blanket charges our batteries up twice as fast as the panels as well as having a USB port for phone charging.
The blanket charges well on cloudy dull days.
Some folk don't like blankets but from my experience they're great for the outlay.
Can't work that one out & not interested in debating it?
-- Edited by 86GTS on Saturday 26th of February 2022 02:12:56 PM
Whenarewethere said
05:42 PM Feb 26, 2022
The blankets you are looking at, what is the actual area of the solar cells?
You may have to guess a bit allowing for the dead areas between the cells.
Step 2
Then calculate how many watts per square metre they produce?
If they are produce more than 150 watts per square metre they are the creation of a mermaid & unicorn.
Whenarewethere said
06:02 PM Feb 26, 2022
The King's 200 watt blanket has 10m of 2.5mm² cable (a bit less than 13awg wire). So that is 20m + & - total length for calculating wire resistance.
If it can actually push out 200 watts at say 13.85 volts that is 14.4 amps
14.4 amps voltage drop with 12awg wire (3.3mm²) is 1.532 volts. 14awg wire (2.1mm²) is 2.434 voltage drop.
Recommended minimum is 6awg 0.38 voltage drop. Personally I would use 4awg wire 0.239 voltage drop.
Joker said
09:17 AM Feb 27, 2022
Good Morning from Cairns, Thank you for your replies so far It is a mine field with so many different choices. Sadly after doing some research the King's Solar Blanket have very negative product review also I am still interested in their multiple packages www.productreview.com.au/listings/adventure-kings-200w-folding-solar-blanket
-- Edited by Joker on Sunday 27th of February 2022 09:19:40 AM
-- Edited by Joker on Sunday 27th of February 2022 09:20:42 AM
Whenarewethere said
09:45 AM Feb 27, 2022
It is basic calculations.
The area of the actual surface area of the solar cells.
Often the manufacturers hide this because their figures are rubbery at best.
Anyway, as best you can work out the actual area of the cells in metres squared. You will be able to get close even if you can't use a calculator.
Then, the watts divided by the m² & then you get watts per m². It is primarily school maths.
If the figure is more than 150 (watts) or 0.150 (kW) they are more than likely stretching the rubber ruler.
It is not difficult stuff to work out.
86GTS said
02:14 PM Feb 27, 2022
The 4wdsupercenter ones are the Kings ones that I have.
Never heard of those other adventure-kings ones.
Joker said
11:21 AM Mar 3, 2022
Thank you for your help and recommendations Just ordered the King's 200W Solar Blanket with 10m extension. Now looking into a battery. Just found the "Everglow 12V 120Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery LiFePO4 Rechargeable Deep Cycle" which is nearly the same price as a normal deep cycle battery. Any idea regarding the quality!
Hi everyone,
I try to find out which ones of the above are "sort of reasonable good quality".
Has anyone experiences with on of these!
They all come with a regulator and cost between $299 and $349.
I know you get what you pay for but sadly that is all what I can afford also getting a battery box and a deep cycle battery (Thinking a 110AH one) to run a 55W 40l fridge and a couple of lights.
Thank you in advance
I've had these for around two & a half years. They've been great so far but Covid-19 has restricted their use.
I have a 10m extension cable as well.
There's also a 250W version.
Previous to buying these I used extremely heavy, expensive 120W Projecta panels. They're gathering dust in the shed.
The solar blanket charges our batteries up twice as fast as the panels as well as having a USB port for phone charging.
The blanket charges well on cloudy dull days.
Some folk don't like blankets but from my experience they're great for the outlay.
Can't work that one out & not interested in debating it?
-- Edited by 86GTS on Saturday 26th of February 2022 02:12:56 PM
The blankets you are looking at, what is the actual area of the solar cells?
You may have to guess a bit allowing for the dead areas between the cells.
Step 2
Then calculate how many watts per square metre they produce?
If they are produce more than 150 watts per square metre they are the creation of a mermaid & unicorn.
The King's 200 watt blanket has 10m of 2.5mm² cable (a bit less than 13awg wire). So that is 20m + & - total length for calculating wire resistance.
If it can actually push out 200 watts at say 13.85 volts that is 14.4 amps
14.4 amps voltage drop with 12awg wire (3.3mm²) is 1.532 volts. 14awg wire (2.1mm²) is 2.434 voltage drop.
Recommended minimum is 6awg 0.38 voltage drop. Personally I would use 4awg wire 0.239 voltage drop.
Good Morning from Cairns,
Thank you for your replies so far
It is a mine field with so many different choices.
Sadly after doing some research the King's Solar Blanket have very negative product review also I am still interested in their multiple packages
www.productreview.com.au/listings/adventure-kings-200w-folding-solar-blanket
These ones are on my list at the moment!
www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/search.html%20solar%20blanket
www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/ridge-ryder-ridge-ryder-solar-battery-charger-kit---200-watt/519528.html
www.bcf.com.au/p/xtm-200w-folding-solar-blanket/578269.html
https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn-Category/Shop-our-Full-Ranges-by-Brand-%7C-Autobarn/RoughCountry/RCSPB200-200W-FOLDABLE-SOLAR-BLANKET-KIT/p/EL33888
Confusing..confusing..confusing
-- Edited by Joker on Sunday 27th of February 2022 09:19:40 AM
-- Edited by Joker on Sunday 27th of February 2022 09:20:42 AM
It is basic calculations.
The area of the actual surface area of the solar cells.
Often the manufacturers hide this because their figures are rubbery at best.
Anyway, as best you can work out the actual area of the cells in metres squared. You will be able to get close even if you can't use a calculator.
Then, the watts divided by the m² & then you get watts per m². It is primarily school maths.
If the figure is more than 150 (watts) or 0.150 (kW) they are more than likely stretching the rubber ruler.
It is not difficult stuff to work out.
Never heard of those other adventure-kings ones.
Thank you for your help and recommendations Just ordered the King's 200W Solar Blanket with 10m extension. Now looking into a battery. Just found the "Everglow 12V 120Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery LiFePO4 Rechargeable Deep Cycle" which is nearly the same price as a normal deep cycle battery. Any idea regarding the quality!
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/toughland-new-12v-120ah-lithium-iron-battery-lifepo4-cells-rechargeable-deep-cycle-rv-camping-100a-bms-more-than-2500-cycles-inbuilt-battery-management-system-over-charging-over-discharging-over-temperature-protection-ft-120ah-gp1/
-- Edited by Joker on Thursday 3rd of March 2022 11:38:00 AM
-- Edited by Joker on Thursday 3rd of March 2022 11:39:41 AM
Ask them how many cells it has; if it's more than eight (and it almost certainly will be a lot more) then I'd steer clear of it.
With batteries the expression "You don't get what you don't pay for" almost always applies.