im thinking of getting 180w folding panels ,if i did could they be plugged into anderson plug on tow vehicle so it would charge back up battery while we are parked? (not tec minded) any advice appricated
im thinking of getting 180w folding panels ,if i did could they be plugged into anderson plug on tow vehicle so it would charge back up battery while we are parked? (not tec minded) any advice appricated
If you buy folding panels they will have a cheap regulator on the back of the panel with very thin wiring , which is wrong for the best performance.
Buy them as single panels hinge them together as required with support legs, [easy to make from some alloy & a pair of hinges & then buy a good quility regulator & mount it as close as possibile to the batteries you need to charge. This way you will not have any voltage drop which means more charge into batteries. Can still be assembled with the anderson plugs , I use the 32volt 15amp T-plugs on every thing & have not had on fail in many years of service. Available from elecrtical whole sales. Use 6mm wire, nothing less.
JC.
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Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
was looking on ebay 180w suntech with regulator for $659 would they be any good.
I use Suntech panels & are very good & that sounds cheap. Mine ware folding but the projector brand regs were hoples.
I remoned all wiring from these & fitted a length of heavy wire ,with plugs attached to a better reg mounted as stated earlier, they now do better than the original specs stated.
I didn't buy mine from E-Bay & have read on here where some have & didn't get what was advertised. Just make sure what you getting & backup if needed.
JC.
__________________
Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
once again thanks for all your help i have about 12 months work to do (if i feel like it) then we plan to start retirement may catch you at a camp one day soon
It all depends on your load, but much under 120W is pretty well only a bit of a top up between full charges. Having said that, with something like a 40L engel and some LED lights and a radio for entertainment, and a 120AH battery to draw from, you'd get 3 to 4 days in the bush depending on outside temps and sunlight etc, and of course how many times you opened the fridge.
Hi Paul:),
You have pulled up a 6yr old thread. I suggest you find the SOLAR subforum and look there for some ideas.
However your roof is small on that ToJo so you might be better with portable panels but they do take space also. What ever you do choose remember that heavy gauge copper is required in the wiring and a proper regulator/controller that has 3 stage charging is important. Many cheap set-ups particularly folding sets are crap made. The panels are OK but the rest is rubbish. Just buy panels from Ebay from places that have been suggested.
Jaahn
looking to set up my Toyota High Top camper.sorry posted a random pic,with solar(looking for help/advice)Perth WA
Thanks
Paul
Sikaflex a couple of aluminiun bars across the roof and bolt a 190 watt panel to them.Measures about 1500mm x 900mm and will help keep the car cool as well.I have 9 x 190 watt panels on my van and they keep it a lot cooler. Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 2nd of September 2018 08:55:33 AM
