Mandrake's Solar Power

[Mandrake]

Just a short note to advise the AULRO community that reasonably priced good quality solar power equipment can be purchased at a discount price from my little home shop http://www.solarsteve1950.com (http://www.solarsteve1950.com/) -
This shop started its life as a single shipment of 8 solar panels - object was to sell 7 and cover the costs of the eighth - that worked but demand for the panels soared so I ended up going into business -

To all members of the AULRO there is a 10% discount on all of the prices listed on the website - I use Allied Express for courier deliveries and providing I am not out and about Melbournites can pickup from my garage any evening or weekend .. I only accept Paypal ,Cash or direct debit transfers - Strictly no credit card transactions - preference is Direct Debit as Paypal takes a percentage !!

If you need advice or equipment I am here to assist .
Rgds
Steve

[isuzurover]

What setup would you reccomend for the roof of my 110 tourer?

[Mandrake]

Ben ,

Sorry for the late reply but I didn't receive the email advice ...

I have a 140 watt panel on my roof rack which is connected to a 20 Amp MPPT controller and then a 100aH AGM - This set up easily powers my
Waeco CF50 when I am travelling .. I don't have a dual battery setup as I
usually only camp away from Mains for 2-3 days .. The camper has a small 50 watt panel to look after the 85 aH which runs my LED lights and laptop charging etc ..

So depending on what you are going to power and if its similar to mine then the same setup will cover you reasonably well - The only downside is not using the full roof rack or not using it at all ...

Haven't got a pic of the panel but this is the power plant in the back behind the rear seat .
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/01/941.jpg

If I can help with more specific info let me know - I do have a small excel spreadsheet which helps to work out power use and solar / battery requirements.

Cheers

Steve

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Great post Steve:D

and this would be a great place to have that spreadsheet,,,;)

[Mandrake]

As requested - Below is a basic Solar Power Calculator - save it to your PC otherwise you are locked in "READ-ONLY" mode...
It is filled in with some data now just replace or remove anything in the green coloured fields . there are notes on the sheet to explain certain things hopefully it is clear enough - But if you have any problems with it or questions feel free to PM or email ..

Cheers

Steve

[dullbird]

going to save up for one of your 100w units as we want to put a unit on our camper...we have been looking at solar for the last 4.5 years, but we have also as much as we have wanted one been waiting for the price to come down too.

[Mandrake]

It's so refreshing to hear the word "saving" - LOL -
If you are going to attend the Blackwood ( VIC ) meet - I have been
invited and will be showing off my panels and kits .. I guess I'll knock a few dollars off the price as well for on the spot cash buyers ...
They are currently listed at $700 ( $630 to AULRO ) which is about 300-400 below most others ...
Cheers

Steve

[dullbird]

no wont be going down to the meet....perhaps you will have to come to sydney;) and show off your gear:D

[isuzurover]

Ben ,

Sorry for the late reply but I didn't receive the email advice ...

I have a 140 watt panel on my roof rack which is connected to a 20 Amp MPPT controller and then a 100aH AGM - This set up easily powers my
Waeco CF50 when I am travelling .. I don't have a dual battery setup as I
usually only camp away from Mains for 2-3 days .. The camper has a small 50 watt panel to look after the 85 aH which runs my LED lights and laptop charging etc ..

So depending on what you are going to power and if its similar to mine then the same setup will cover you reasonably well - The only downside is not using the full roof rack or not using it at all ...

Haven't got a pic of the panel but this is the power plant in the back behind the rear seat .
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/01/941.jpg

If I can help with more specific info let me know - I do have a small excel spreadsheet which helps to work out power use and solar / battery requirements.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve,

I already have a dual battery system and Traxide (Drivesafe on here) SC40 controller. So I take it I would just need a panel and controller?

I want to permanently mount the panel to the ribs on a 110 roof. The roof is only 1350 or so wide, so a 1300 wide panel may get damaged by brushing against trees.

The 80W panel seems like a good compromise - any word on the ETA of them?

Which controller would you suggest for the 80W panel?

[Mandrake]

Not familiar with 110 roof configuration but would a 140 panel fit longwise ? They are 1300 X 870mm ?? so make the 870 the width ?

80 watt panels are 6-8 weeks away and they only require a 10 Amp controller .
I can do a 140 panel with MPPT controller for $630 - I will be at Blackwood on 20/2 with some goodies and probably lower "cash only " prices !!

Cheers

Steve

[isuzurover]

Not familiar with 110 roof configuration but would a 140 panel fit longwise ? They are 1300 X 870mm ?? so make the 870 the width ?

80 watt panels are 6-8 weeks away and they only require a 10 Amp controller .
I can do a 140 panel with MPPT controller for $630 - I will be at Blackwood on 20/2 with some goodies and probably lower "cash only " prices !!

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve. lengthways would fit, but I don't want to lose that much roof area. I assume Blackwood is in VIC? I am in perth so that doesn't help me :(

[Mandrake]

How about 2 X 50 watt panels - they're 720 X 540 mm each - ? plus 10 Amp controller - $650 delivered to Perth Metro

OR

get one of my portable foldup units and forget about roof mounting .. $640 delivered to Perth Metro

Untitled Page (http://www.solarsteve1950.com/SolarKit.html)

Cheers

Steve

[hoadie72]

Hi Steve,

Question for you if you don't mind - I purchased 4 individual 20w panels and a controller last year and am wondering if I need to use blocking to install blocking diodes when I'm wiring the panels up to the controller, and if so, what would you recommend?

[Mandrake]

G'day - depending on the type of panel they may have a diode in the junction box - if there's no junction box then more than likely there are no diodes !! However the controller should have a diode circuit to stop battery flowback at night .. Check the specs of the controller if you can .. otherwise get another controller that does have or put diodes in the panels if you can open them to expose the connection cables or in the line between panels and controller ..

Cheers

Steve

[isuzurover]

How about 2 X 50 watt panels - they're 720 X 540 mm each - ? plus 10 Amp controller - $650 delivered to Perth Metro

OR

get one of my portable foldup units and forget about roof mounting .. $640 delivered to Perth Metro

Untitled Page (http://www.solarsteve1950.com/SolarKit.html)

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, I will measure up tonight and decide. Not in a huge hurry though - just need it before a trip mid year. I am not interested in a portable unit, as we usually only stay in one spot for a day or two then move on when touring.

[knp]

Some measured power consumption to hopefully assist anyone with calculations.

Big descision for us some years back - the (really) old 3-way chescold fridge crapped out. I'd repaired it but it just wouldn't keep cold anymore and leveling it all the time was a pain. So we decided to go solar. SWMBO was very sceptical and I was real keen.:angel:

We use a few of those 12 volt fluro lights. One is a twin tube about 18" long and draws about 500mA/h, the rest are those single tube automotive worklights and these use 250mA/h. Last one I bought was $7 at Bunnings just before Easter.

Our fridge is an ARB flavoured Engel 40 with insulated cover. It draws max of 2.5A and when in use it effectively runs for 30 mins every hour on the 1.5 setting which is normal for us on a hot day. (I sat there and timed it over 30 mins). So it uses 2.5A/h.

The solar panel is a Sharp 80W. It charges one or both f our two 120Ah AGM batteries. One is onn the camper, one is in the car. Depending on where we are and how we're camping we can off one or the other or connect them both together for double capacity.

On a good clear sunny day (not too hot) I have been getting almost 5A from the solar panel measured at the controller. This is exceptionally good for an 80W panel and is also with a 20m extension lead between the panel and controller too.

In practice we can get about 2-3 days of no sun power from a single 120Ah battery running the fridge (turn it down to 1 overnight), being frugal with the lights and using headlamps or torches as well (sometimes use a gas lantern when I remember to pack it and same for my old kero storm lantern if I can find room for it).

So an 80W panel would be the smallest power wise I'd consider. It is also the largest one I would want to put on any vehicle roof. Ours mounts length-ways in a custom fame and fits snuggly beside a full length Rhino roof pod or the Oz-Tent. The roof rack is a set ot Rhino aero bars fitted to full length roof rails on the disco so it ain't real wide but does the job nicely.

Hope this info is useful.
Cheers
Peter

[Mandrake]

just had a request from Peter in SA about the discount and unfortunately my prices are now so low and so is the US$ that the discount has gone until the greenback decides to get back to .9 again ..

Cheers

Steve

[Mandrake]

Just to let you know that Mandrake's Solar Power has expanded into
Queensland and Western Australia
http://www.solarsteve1950.com (http://www.solarsteve1950.com/)

Cheers

Steve

[Mandrake]

All of the single Mono-crystalline modules - 20W , 40W , 50W , 80W ,100W and 140W are discounted .:o
Two sizes of portable kits also on special - 80W and 100W .. :o

Refer to www.solarsteve1950.com/pricelist.html (http://www.solarsteve1950.com/pricelist.html)

Cheers :D

Steve

[isuzurover]

Hi Steve,

I want to set up a solar powered pump to run an aquaponics system.

I am happy for it to be set up such that whenever the sun is shining (enough), the pump is working. Can I set it up without a battery? Or do I need one to smooth the load.

[Mandrake]

G'day ,

You will need a battery if its a 12V pump and most would be for the size and flow you would want .. The panel in bright sun will put out 22V which could burn a motor badly .. having a battery will keep the voltage down to 12-14V .
and allow the pump to run at night obviously . You could pick up an old UPS battery from a computer place - I have 3 here which are 26 aH and about 20 X 20 X 20 cms .. good little battery only rated to 7.5Amps and would run a small 12V pump for quite a while ..
If you're in Melbourne I can help with that .
Cheers
Steve

[isuzurover]

G'day ,

You will need a battery if its a 12V pump and most would be for the size and flow you would want .. The panel in bright sun will put out 22V which could burn a motor badly .. having a battery will keep the voltage down to 12-14V .
and allow the pump to run at night obviously . You could pick up an old UPS battery from a computer place - I have 3 here which are 26 aH and about 20 X 20 X 20 cms .. good little battery only rated to 7.5Amps and would run a small 12V pump for quite a while ..
If you're in Melbourne I can help with that .
Cheers
Steve


Thanks Steve. I was using a 240V pump off mains power which has now died. I was thinking that I could get a pump that could cope with the variable voltage - say a 24V pump???

I am in Perth.

[Mandrake]

If its a 24V pump you need it to be rated at no more than 2 Amps preferably as close to 1 Amp as you can get - That way a 20W or 40W panel would run it for 6-8 hours a day ..
Mike Burns in Kalamunda can help with a panel .. see website for his ctc details . www.solarsteve1950.com
(http://www.solarsteve1950.com)Cheers
Steve

[bee utey]

You don't need a battery, look at this "maximiser" kit from the Alternative Technology Association:

The Alternative Technology Association Webshop (http://shop.ata.org.au/cart.php'target=product&product_id=16512&category_id=251)