Solar panel advice

[Leyland1980]

Does anyone have any experience with these solar panels?

I am after something to run a waeco cf50 and keep my dual battery topped up.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100W-Watt-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Semi-Flexible-Solar-panels-12-24V-battery-charger-/301179947514?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item461fb949fa&_uhb=1

[jackiec]

For the same price you can get a foldable 150w. Unless saving weight is your priority. Those flexible one are not very robust.

[Blknight.aus]

Does anyone have any experience with these solar panels?

I am after something to run a waeco cf50 and keep my dual battery topped up.

100W Watt Flexible Solar Panel Semi Flexible Solar Panels 12 24V Battery Charger | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100W-Watt-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Semi-Flexible-Solar-panels-12-24V-battery-charger-/301179947514?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item461fb949fa&_uhb=1)

bad juju for what you want


For the same price you can get a foldable 150w. Unless saving weight is your priority. Those flexible one are not very robust.

I agree.

the flex ones are good when you want to conform them to a shape, then not move them and not hit them like say the bridge wing on a boat or on the face of a water tank.

[spudboy]

I have just bought 6 of these for my camper build.

The weight difference between this type of panel and the traditional ones are enormous. A normal panel weighs about 17 or 18 kg. These thin panels weigh 1.5Kg. For me that's a saving of about 100Kg.

Also - because of the height of our vehicle, they are a saving in height too. The panels are only 1.5mm thick and the connector block is about 15-20mm thick.

We are attaching them to the roof of the camper with double sided tape. It is a special German tape - industrial strength.

HTH
David

[spudboy]

This is the tape, in case you were interested. Quick postage - got it in about 2 days I think:

Ultra High Bond - Clear - 0.5mm thick - Double Sided Tape (http://www.tapesonline.com.au/double-sided-tapes/ultra-high-bond-clear-0-5mm-thick.html)

http://www.tapesonline.com.au/double-sided-tapes/ultra-high-bond-le-low-energy.html

[ahumbert]

Hi

These panels also do not appear to come with a regulator. If this is the case you will need to purchase one and have it fitted between the panel and your battery other wise you will fry your battery.

Allan

[spudboy]

Oh yeah - I forgot the mention about the regulator.

If you want a good one, a proper MPPT one, then get one of the GSL range. Made in Australia and excellent technical advice over the phone.

GSL Electronics : MPPT & BMPPT Solar Chargers (http://www.gsl.com.au/solar-products.html)

I got one of these: GSL Electronics : MPPT 60-1 / MPPT 60-2 (http://www.gsl.com.au/mppt60.html)

HTH
David

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I have just bought 6 of these for my camper build.

HTH
David

Pics in the build thread??:angel:;)

[spudboy]

Haha - not quite yet - but they are coming!

At the moment all the solar stuff is sitting in a spare bedroom waiting for me to get around to fitting it.

It won't be a big job, probably do it all in a day, but I want to get the gas/water connected first.