check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar rearview170 Beam Communications SatPhone Shop Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> ridge rider vs xtm vs rough country solar blanket?
Post Info TOPIC: ridge rider vs xtm vs rough country solar blanket?
Joker


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 29
Date:
ridge rider vs xtm vs rough country solar blanket?
Permalink  

Hi everyone,

I try to find out which ones of the above are "sort of reasonable good quality".
Has anyone experiences with on of these!
They all come with a regulator and cost between $299 and $349.

I know you get what you pay for but sadly that is all what I can afford also getting a battery box and a deep cycle battery (Thinking a 110AH one) to run a 55W 40l fridge and a couple of lights.

Thank you in advance



__________________
86GTS


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 765
Date:
Permalink  

I've had these for around two & a half years. They've been great so far but Covid-19 has restricted their use.


I have a 10m extension cable as well.


There's also a 250W version.


Previous to buying these I used extremely heavy, expensive 120W Projecta panels. They're gathering dust in the shed.

The solar blanket charges our batteries up twice as fast as the panels as well as having a USB port for phone charging.

The blanket charges well on cloudy dull days.

Some folk don't like blankets but from my experience they're great for the outlay.smile

Can't work that one out & not interested in debating it? confuse

Screenshot 2022-02-26 at 13-45-58 Kings 200W Solar Blanket 20A MPPT Regulator Up to 16A Output Grade A cells Incl Cable, Cl[...].png



-- Edited by 86GTS on Saturday 26th of February 2022 02:12:56 PM

__________________

Nature, the cathedral of awe.

 
Whenarewethere


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7579
Date:
Permalink  

The blankets you are looking at, what is the actual area of the solar cells?

You may have to guess a bit allowing for the dead areas between the cells.

 

Step 2

 

Then calculate how many watts per square metre they produce?

 

If they are produce more than 150 watts per square metre they are the creation of a mermaid & unicorn.



__________________

Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Whenarewethere


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7579
Date:
Permalink  

The King's 200 watt blanket has 10m of 2.5mm² cable (a bit less than 13awg wire). So that is 20m + & - total length for calculating wire resistance.

 

If it can actually push out 200 watts at say 13.85 volts that is 14.4 amps

 

14.4 amps voltage drop with 12awg wire (3.3mm²) is 1.532 volts. 14awg wire (2.1mm²) is 2.434 voltage drop.

 

Recommended minimum is 6awg 0.38 voltage drop. Personally I would use 4awg wire 0.239 voltage drop.



__________________

Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Joker


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 29
Date:
Permalink  

Good Morning from Cairns,
Thank you for your replies so far
It is a mine field with so many different choices.
Sadly after doing some research the King's Solar Blanket have very negative product review also I am still interested in their multiple packages
www.productreview.com.au/listings/adventure-kings-200w-folding-solar-blanket

These ones are on my list at the moment!

www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/search.html%20solar%20blanket

www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/ridge-ryder-ridge-ryder-solar-battery-charger-kit---200-watt/519528.html

www.bcf.com.au/p/xtm-200w-folding-solar-blanket/578269.html


https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn-Category/Shop-our-Full-Ranges-by-Brand-%7C-Autobarn/RoughCountry/RCSPB200-200W-FOLDABLE-SOLAR-BLANKET-KIT/p/EL33888


Confusing..confusing..confusing





-- Edited by Joker on Sunday 27th of February 2022 09:19:40 AM



-- Edited by Joker on Sunday 27th of February 2022 09:20:42 AM

__________________
Whenarewethere


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7579
Date:
Permalink  

It is basic calculations.

The area of the actual surface area of the solar cells.

Often the manufacturers hide this because their figures are rubbery at best.

 

Anyway, as best you can work out the actual area of the cells in metres squared. You will be able to get close even if you can't use a calculator.

 

Then, the watts divided by the m² & then you get watts per m². It is primarily school maths.

 

If the figure is more than 150 (watts) or 0.150 (kW) they are more than likely stretching the rubber ruler.

 

It is not difficult stuff to work out.



__________________

Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
86GTS


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 765
Date:
Permalink  

The 4wdsupercenter ones are the Kings ones that I have.
Never heard of those other adventure-kings ones.

__________________

Nature, the cathedral of awe.

 
Joker


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 29
Date:
Permalink  

Thank you for your help and recommendations Just ordered the King's 200W Solar Blanket with 10m extension. Now looking into a battery. Just found the "Everglow 12V 120Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery LiFePO4 Rechargeable Deep Cycle" which is nearly the same price as a normal deep cycle battery. Any idea regarding the quality!

 

https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/toughland-new-12v-120ah-lithium-iron-battery-lifepo4-cells-rechargeable-deep-cycle-rv-camping-100a-bms-more-than-2500-cycles-inbuilt-battery-management-system-over-charging-over-discharging-over-temperature-protection-ft-120ah-gp1/



-- Edited by Joker on Thursday 3rd of March 2022 11:38:00 AM



-- Edited by Joker on Thursday 3rd of March 2022 11:39:41 AM

__________________
Mike Harding


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4706
Date:
Permalink  

Ask them how many cells it has; if it's more than eight (and it almost certainly will be a lot more) then I'd steer clear of it.

With batteries the expression "You don't get what you don't pay for" almost always applies.



__________________

 

"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"

Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> ridge rider vs xtm vs rough country solar blanket?
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook