solar panels

fokesy · Member

solar panels

Jaahn · Guru

Hi fokesy, smile

Well it's all been asked and answered before, so read the posts here and search for anything you think may be revalvent too EG solar panel, portable panels, fold up panels etc etc.

Then after you have done some home work you will know what questions to ask. confuse You are starting with "how long is a piece of string", I could just say what type of string !!

Jaahn

PeterD · Guru

fokesy wrote:
attach them to the van ones 200w,160w,120w the list goes on!!

Our questions now start. What exactly are you intending to run off your battery system? You will get very little good advice unless y9u tell us your intentions. Some people just run lights, some have TV. Do you have a compressor or an absorption fridge? (preferably give us the fridge make and model number.) If you are thinking or running coffee makers and microwave ovens do you have enough weight to carry all the batteries?

Woody46 · Member

Hi all. My word what a poser. To start, with the sun so low the stand up/fold up work far better than the roof mounted ones. Also if you are only using lights/television you can park in some shade and have the panel in the sun. If one wants to be a fool you can have lots and run everything. I would suggest start out small and it will grow as you get experienced in what you need. The good folk are right it is endless. Hope that helps you a little. Woody46

Woody46 · Member

I should have said a fool like me, thanks. Woody46

Bill B · Guru

What size battery bank do you have ?

PeterD · Guru

One thing I can advise is that if you are going portable do not purchase a portable kit. They generally come with rubbishy controllers and a lot of those are stuck to the panel and hard to remove. You really need the controller at the battery and not the panel. You will have too much voltage drop in the cable from the controller to the battery. This will effect the regulation of the controller, if you have it near the battery the controller will track the battery voltage better.

You are better off purchasing a good multi-stage charger and installing it next to the battery. If you purchase the connecting cable separately you can acquire heavier cable than will be supplied in a kit. If you want a folding panel you can purchase two identical panels and add your own hinges.

Reed · Senior Member

You will eventually come over to the dark side where many of us are now: more panels and then more battery storage - which leads to more panels for the battery suite - which...

Reed and Elaine

Jaahn · Guru

PeterD wrote:
One thing I can advise is that if you are going portable do not purchase a portable kit. They generally come with rubbishy controllers and a lot of those are stuck to the panel and hard to remove. You really need the controller at the battery and not the panel. You will have too much voltage drop in the cable from the controller to the battery. This will effect the regulation of the controller, if you have it near the battery the controller will track the battery voltage better.

You are better off purchasing a good multi-stage charger and installing it next to the battery. If you purchase the connecting cable separately you can acquire heavier cable than will be supplied in a kit. If you want a folding panel you can purchase two identical panels and add your own hinges.

HI smile

i CONCURE COMPLETELY with Peter here on all points.

My thoughts are also why pay lots more for the portable panel kits for less panel output and crap regulator in the wrong place. cry Seems like you can sell anything at some retailers !!

I also found that the home made folding pair of panels I had were too heavy to handle comfortably together and seperated them again. wink I would check the weight and where you want to store them for travelling before you buy any !

Jaahn

macka17 · Guru

Been through a few setups over the last few yrs or so.

Nowadays. I have a 80w on ute lid with regulator and 80 ltr fridge in tray.
40a AC Charger built in there for when near mains or using genny.

Caravan.

This van. 18ft Coromal for week fishing here and there at max.
one 200w panel on roof. 3 coats of heatproof paint first.
down to windows front and back.
Roll out one side. spare rollout material in sail track t'other again.
1 x 85a NZ70Z battery.
ALL LED lights. dometic fridge (yuk) Genny for aircond.microwave etc. etc.

with ute (D-Max)
80w panel NZ70z Battery in boot plus Power pack for electric motor.
and bridging cable to Anderson or HD Cig lighter
into side of van. Giving access to spare battery too.

I trid "portable panels. To make any difference.The bloody things have to be so big and clumsy.
It ain't worth it.
Try carrying around an 80w paqnel sometime then doubling it to make useful.

THEN.. Find somewhere to park the bloody things when you mobile.

Nah.
Fit on car. 2 will fit comfortably if needed. Cable to car rig as said.
Just leave car in sun. It ain't going to cry about it. and coupla min's with air cond on when moving.
It soon good again.

I normally ask for van park bays with no shade. Sit under the roll out.

Gary and Barb · Senior Member

Currently researching the same problem - for a rig I don't yet have!!
Try this site.
info.camp4ever.com/how-to-choose-portable-solar-panels-for-camping/
Sound advice without the built in sales hype or prejudices.
There are others similar if you search around.