Can you suggest another brand John

I have  two 120 ah batteries and a 80 watt solar panel on my roof. I purchased a portable 140 watt max ray panel from ebay. (Not happy Jan) They are really big, heavy, awkward and when tested with a volt meter showed 16 volts at the panel but that is not getting to the battery. They have a ten meter cable (which I am told looses too much power over that distance) with an Anderson plug but very fine cable. Both clips on the frame broke in the first week. They did send me ten dollars to replace the clips. O.k they were only 239 dollars and you get what you pay for. I guess their size, and lack of performance is the major issue. I could get heavier duty cable put on them and shorten it to 5 metres, which would help the power loss.  I am quite frugal in my power useage just running a 12 volt fridge and Led lights. I have a 30 amp 240 volt charger when I am hooked up to mains. I have looked at heaps on the internet, but they all seem to have one issue or another. Maybe I am just too fussy.Lynne

Hi John, I am in Monbulk, in the Dandenong ranges Victoria

Solarking panels are great,I have had no dramas at all

HI Lynne
One thing you MUST do if buying panels on ebay, is demand to know how the panels are rated
For 12v battery charging ,the rating should be "xxx Watts at 17to18V shown as "PPP"Also the Open circuit voltage which needs to be 21<22V
If they do not give a clear answer ,preferably in writing,do not buy from them.!!

People are being conned left right & centre by dodgy solar panel dealers on EBAY,who either do not KNOW what is required ,or are simply cons!

i like ebay panels never had a problem yet just do some research before you buy there sometimes 100% cheaper
dibs

I've used and can recommend Rich Solar Panels from Bit Deals on Ebay.  Normally I don't like buying from Fleabay but my research a few years ago lead me to Bit Deals but have found they are reasonably good quality for the price with all wires and connectors being the right guage or exceeding specs for the AMPs produced. I had them on my caravan set up for 4 years and they never let me down and I now have new ones on my Motorhome and they are doing great.  I've also helped 6 other people set up their solar systems using Rich Solar panels on their caravans and from all reports all are doing fine with no issues and they are all more than happy.

Yes, the panels are made in China (& what panels aren't these days), but, in this case they are made to Rich Solar specs.  I've found Bit Deals to be reliable and the best value with very fast shipping from their melbourne warehouse.  I'm not associated with them in any way so just passing on my recomendation.

Hope this helps,

Regards Steve.

Hi I purchased Kickass solar panels in June 2015 before end of financial year, tested them in June and put them into storage. Last week took them out, four months later ready for our big trip and they simply failed to work. I mean dead, no charge. Now we're struck without solar panels and now fighting with Kickass to get them looked at. Here is some ad vice, buy the Waeco solar panels from BCF.

Danny Dkay wrote:

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Hi I purchased Kickass solar panels in June 2015 before end of financial year, tested them in June and put them into storage. Last week took them out, four months later ready for our big trip and they simply failed to work. I mean dead, no charge. Now we're struck without solar panels and now fighting with Kickass to get them looked at. Here is some ad vice, buy the Waeco solar panels from BCF.

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 Danny, try them in the sunlight

 

The Phantom