Portable Solar Power.

Sheba · Guru

Portable Solar Power.

Wombat 280 · Guru

For memory ( which isn't that reliable anymore) I think you can buy all the component parts and regulators from a specialist shop here in OZ a lot cheaper and assemble the unit as a DIY project . There are heaps of the latest solar panels around in places like JayCar , Dick Smiths and some of the alternative lifestyle shops even BCF and Aussie Disposals are in on the act.

Sheba · Guru

I haven't really checked what's available here yet Wombat, I just thought from the questions sometimes asked, that these seemed simpler. Just pick up the whole unit as a suitcase, batteries and all. Open, and use.

Cheers,
Sheba.

jimricho · Guru

Sheba wrote:

I haven't really checked what's available here yet Wombat, I just thought from the questions sometimes asked, that these seemed simpler. Just pick up the whole unit as a suitcase, batteries and all. Open, and use.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Hi Sheba,

Check out this Jaycar link...http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZM9130&keywords=solar+panel&form=KEYWORD

A battery and battery box would be extra but these are readily available, it otherwise seems to be complete (includes regulator)

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

You won't run much from 50W Sheba, and you won't just "pick up" anything with a decent battery in it either.
A 100Ahr AGM battery will weigh at least 30kg and 100W of solar panel will weigh around 10kg, plus all the other bits.
If it is not those sorts of weights, it is probably a 'toy'.
Does not look like a good idea at all, to me.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Friday 19th of November 2010 08:28:59 AM

Happywanderer · The Master

I saw a display at the Echuca A&P Show couple of weeks ago. This guy had a stand there and was showing all sorts of solar panels from fold up ones to stronger hard stand ones.
I asked a few questions but he wasn't very helpful, really didn't want to tell me anything, don't know why except being female.
May have bought something if he had been more forthcoming.

JRH · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

I saw a display at the Echuca A&P Show couple of weeks ago. This guy had a stand there and was showing all sorts of solar panels from fold up ones to stronger hard stand ones.
I asked a few questions but he wasn't very helpful, really didn't want to tell me anything, don't know why except being female.
May have bought something if he had been more forthcoming.

His loss I reckon.

Sheba · Guru

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I had the males in mind when I said "pick up", thinking it would be reasonably easy for them. Obviously I was wrong. Sorry about that.

Marj, he probably thought you were lke me. Not very technologically savvy.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

I need all the help I can get Sheba and asked relevant questions. Like what could you run on this size, what appliances etc. He gave me a strange look and said Whatever you like. And turned away. Well really I'm more savvy than that.

One solar panel looked just like the fold up sunshield you put in you car window to keep the sun out, silver like that and folded up.
I thought it might be good for small occasions when you stop for maybe logging into the computer or boiling the jug without having to turning all sorts of things on and open.

valnrob · Guru

Hi Sheba and Happy Wanderer, just put my dibbs in here, all too often male salesman at shows and shops don't seem interested when a mere female asks questions about solar panels etc. I think I am pretty knowlegable about them after having had a couple of go's getting things right in our van. My hubby and I were both new to the game. I read up heaps on batteries and solar panels after we made a couple of mistakes in the past, and I could understand about amps and watts etc. Only after asking several questions did the salesman decide to answer more fully than just brushing me off. Our van is up and running well now. But HW there is a bit more to it than just small occasions and logging on to computer and boiling jug. A friend of ours had one of those silver screen type panels and it wasn't enough to keep his Bushman fridge going all that long. Keep asking questions, it's the only way to learn, cheers Val

Sheba · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

I need all the help I can get Sheba and asked relevant questions. Like what could you run on this size, what appliances etc. He gave me a strange look and said Whatever you like. And turned away. Well really I'm more savvy than that.

Sounds more like you knew more than he did Marj. Tsk, tsk, woman, don't you know that you're not allowed to ? [According to some men.]

Even when I was much younger, and memory was a hell of a lot better, when I asked my [then] husband to teach me about motor-cycle motors, I was very firmly told "You won't understand anyway. You're only a woman."

And that was the end of that. Never mind that I had an Indian Big Chief registered in my name, and would have loved to be able to work on it.

Hi Val, wish I could retain more than I do these days. I always ask questions, but can't always store what I learn for long.

Simple is best for me these days. I do envy you guys who don't have the memory problem.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

valnrob, I was thinking of that particular type of solar panel as an addition to the main one that I hope to have on my campervan when I find it. Thought it might be good as a little extra.
sheba, I think it goes back to the " good old days " when women were supposed to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Some people haven't moved on.
Never forget when I went to buy my car new back in 2000. Took my son with me who would have been about 30 then. The car salesman only wanted to talk to him. I was the one with the money.
I heard him say to my son, I think she's interested but not sure about the colour. My son knowing me better said. Thats the only thing she is sure about. It is yellow.
he wouldn't speak to me directly so I watched for the owner to come back in and I went into his office and did my deal there with the owner. Who I happened to know as a very good friend of my sister and b.i.l.
The salesman was left out of the whole thing including the commission.

Sheba · Guru

Good on ya Marj.

Cheers,
Sheba.

jimricho · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

valnrob, I was thinking of that particular type of solar panel as an addition to the main one that I hope to have on my campervan when I find it. Thought it might be good as a little extra.
sheba, I think it goes back to the " good old days " when women were supposed to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Some people haven't moved on.
Never forget when I went to buy my car new back in 2000. Took my son with me who would have been about 30 then. The car salesman only wanted to talk to him. I was the one with the money.
I heard him say to my son, I think she's interested but not sure about the colour. My son knowing me better said. Thats the only thing she is sure about. It is yellow.
he wouldn't speak to me directly so I watched for the owner to come back in and I went into his office and did my deal there with the owner. Who I happened to know as a very good friend of my sister and b.i.l.
The salesman was left out of the whole thing including the commission.

You were probably saved from being told a whole lot of bulls**t by the salesman.