switching to Lithium

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Those flexible panels [emoji22] best thing I did was
Throw the 4x100w ones away.

Replaced by 2x115w Victron

Far more efficient.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6881bdff01.jpg

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There’s a reason why I’m sticking with flex panels…which I think I explain prior….

I’m not sure how your screen shot shows your panels are more efficient than mine?

Re: efficiency, my existing seem efficient based on my knowledge

I have posted plenty of screen shots like yours showing performance and I reckon they’re doing pretty good…at times punching out more watts than panel is rated, similar to your screen shot. Based on that the only down fall I see is the the size of the panels for the wattage, watts for square meter if that’s a thing. If the new panels can punch out 300 + watts in ideal conditions than I’ll be happy.

More than happy with my approach for the time being and the upcoming trip.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tombie

Those flexible panels [emoji22] best thing I did was
Throw the 4x100w ones away.

Replaced by 2x115w Victron

Far more efficient.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6881bdff01.jpg

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Sooo, im scratching my head around ‘efficiencies’ a quick comparison between your panels and my new ones…..keep in mind I’m far from an expert but I don’t see a lot of differences,

price aside as I’m paying nearly double the price and life expectancy, this has been factored into the two year trip, if the fall over the day after we finish than I’m not worried.

I get
More watts per square meter and
saving in weight.
Lower profile

My existing panels produce close enough to what they are spec’d to in relation to watts……we are both using a Victron controller therefore assume everything would be equal in amps produced? Does a glass panel produce more volts compared to a semi flex in the same environment??

My panels are not mounted direct to roof with core flute, they are mounted to a roof rack…..

If these new panels perform as good as spec’d than I don’t see any ‘efficiency’ issues.

Please point out if I have gotten something wrong in my comparison above, I’m learning more and more each time I make a change in my system and/or through using the system.

Way back when i first tried semi flex I brought some cheap panels, sure these didn’t perform or last, but I learnt from real testing…….but I’ve been happy with the existing and hopefully be happy with the new panels.

Not sure that I really needed to upgrade to three panels, we’ll probably be working the battery over more being full time on the road. I am tempted to ditch the solar blanket.

Far more efficient?? I’ll report back when we’re on the road.

Victron

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...86ec116a67.png

Allspark
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cb0d5ba62b.png

I’m thinking screen shot of the graphs showing the amount of solar harvesting along with max. Watts/volts tells part of the picture.

I’ll start taking more screenshots off below as it shows amps going in against watts

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4db323f074.png

Agree I certainly had some weight changes going to 2 framed/glass set ups

I had 4 like you and they started to fade just like yours are - not long after 2 failed to generate at all.

The 2 Victron units seems to just harvest far more effectively - I’m getting significantly more daily with just the 2x115w panels than I ever generated with the 4x100w

When it’s hot, also not seeing the downrating occurring as they heat up.

Today (11:15) average cool day.

Panels facing away from the sun (flat mounted, Van face up North) so -10° inclination

Fridge / Freezer running 2°/-10° 24/7

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b3a5afa191.jpg

460wh harvested since 8:00am
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...63b8e9c15a.jpg

Changed the name of my battery today…..exciting update eh

Apparently the instructions are in the manual.

Yesterday I removed the old panels…….I surprised they were producing anything let alone close to the spec on the back

The had a nice thin film off baked on dirt, I had never cleaned them so not surprised

And when I put an pressure on the cells or flexed them slightly there was crunching noises.

An example of the output around a week ago

And some pics of the old panels that were still punching out good numbers
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f075538120.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5e888e2d8d.png
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b9779c61f5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...73644ee56d.jpg

3 x 120’s went on yesterday…..

Had to wait til today to get the final MC4 connector as one wasn’t quite right.

It’ll be interesting to see if they perform……a little hard to tell from today as even though I was at 52% I was doing a lot of driving early in the day.

Based on the screen shot below I was expecting a little better performance.

Time will tell……..it what we are running for road trip for the next 18 months

Topped out at 190w today. One panel is hard up against the storage bag so I guess it won’t be seeing the sun a lot of the time.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...21df809982.png

Hopefully they’ll do well for you.

My ‘still not sitting at a good angle’ camper is still humming along

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d5c2637ece.jpg