I notice that Waeco has folding solar panels for sale presently at $489 down from $599. They have all the trimmings including adjustable feet to get the right angle to the sun, a carry bag, built-in regulator etc.
I notice that Waeco has folding solar panels for sale presently at $489 down from $599. They have all the trimmings including adjustable feet to get the right angle to the sun, a carry bag, built-in regulator etc.
Look on Ebay Australia and you will find similar for less than half there price
I've seen one just now $189 dollars for 120 watt system
That's very cheap. I'm actually in the market for one which is why I was looking around and spotted the Waeco units. I thought they were cheap because a friend recently paid just over $600 for a 120watt folding set-up.
Hopefully the quality of the cheaper ones don't let them down. I have a lot of solar stuff at home and have learned over the years that solar panels aren't all equal. For example, some of the earlier panels with a junction box on the back where you had to attach the cables with screws didn't last as long in salt water areas as the sealed units with a length of cable already attached. A corrosion began near the cable junction and spread all the way up the cell connectors until the entire panel simply stopped working.
Will check out the Evil-bay units though.
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
Hi Queenkombie
I'm no expert at all, but I found out by going by the advice I've got from different people that the best way to charge the battery is to have the regulator as close as possible to the battery and not fitted on the back of the solar panel
I hope this will help you in the future
regards John
Hi Queenkombie I'm no expert at all, but I found out by going by the advice I've got from different people that the best way to charge the battery is to have the regulator as close as possible to the battery and not fitted on the back of the solar panel I hope this will help you in the future regards John
So that means I'd be better off buying folding panels without the inbuilt regulator and fitting an aftermarket regulator closer to the battery?
Makes sense I suppose and DC current apparently looses voltage very quickly, especially if the leads are only big enough to do the job. It might even be cheaper to buy two panels of an appropriate size and join them with piano hinge (or whatever) and add your own regulator. I already have a 30 watt regulator sitting around doing nothing.
Hmmm. Now you've got me thinking
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!