Thread: Solar panel advice

I don't think Jaycar would give the best value for money. If you are handy enough to hinge a couple of good second hand BP panels together you could pay half that. Keep an eye on ebay for second hand panels. A bloke in Victoria (kcsolar?) regularly puts up panels he has upgraded, I bought a couple myself and they have been great.

Is the panel going to be mounted on the caravan, or on the ground?

If on the ground, do you need small folding panels?

If on the 'van, perhaps a flexible panel would be better? How much flat roof space have you got?

You can buy a 250W panel for $495 including delivery these days, but it's 1.6m x 0.9m.

Remember also you need a charge controller. Some "battery charging" panels have them built in, but some don't. Panels for domestic use tend to be higher voltage (up to 50V) and so require a better (MPPT) charge controller to cope with the higher voltages, but then the MPPT controller also allows the panel to do a better job of converting light to charge....

Recommended on ebay:

Marsol Industries
Low Energy Developments

Both of the above are PV suppliers rather than companies selling whatever they can buy cheaply.

There are companies to avoid, but I won't post them to avoid compromising this forum. One of these companies in particular moves office regularly and has a reputation for sending out panels of far lower output than advertised. Watch out for names that are not solar related, companies selling PV as well as egg whisks, shoes, bath salts etc., and companies with ASIC registrations listing them as vendors of pool tables, bird cages or other non-PV related items! (All examples are merely examples, not particular things to look for!).

I have no involvement with any PV supplier, other than as a customer.

Another forum recommended this one http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/vi...le=Description

Originally Posted by Ranga

Another forum recommended this one http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/vi...le=Description

This panel set would save you heaps of work and is more compact (packed) than a single Jaycar panel. However the regulator is a budget cheapie, although that doesn't mean it won't work. The jaycar regulator is a good one exactly like the ones which I use at home and on my camping kit.

There is always the possibility of upgrading to a better regulator, a MPPT one as mentioned. This one:

True MPPT Solar Regulator ideal for Waeco and Engel fridge by deep cycle battery | eBay

looks like a useful upgrade you can do later.

Last week I bought a new 120w folding setup with controller off ebay for $300. So the value is there if your are patient.

Garry

Ranga,

Just a thought, it may be cheaper to permanently mount a 40-60 Watt panel on each (canopy and van). This way they are always connected to their own batteries, even when they are seperated. Each to have their own regulators too of course.
Whenever it is light, some charge will be going to each battery all the time, so no moving panels etc to chase the sun.

Brian

Panels vary widely in their output per square metre. Not all 120w folding panels will be the same dimensions. Depends on your needs as to whether this is important.

I have a 90W panel on the sloping section of the roof of my 130. It is one of these...

LA90-12S

This is great for everyday use - and allows me to run the fridge permanently.

I think the key is working out where you are going to store it, and then buy panels to fit the space, rather than the other way round. Not sure if the space is available to you, but I store a second panel behind the back seat of the 130 for example.

Tim