Thread: solar chargers from ebay......

Originally Posted by digger

eg:

"ali express"

watch the numbers required and postage but otherwise normally theyre good.

And often remarkably cheap. I've bought a few things using Ali with no worries, but I second the "watch" list above.

Originally Posted by bee utey

The Australian made MPPT regulators from GSL would be my choice for a good quality unit. Their 12A unit would handle all three 45W panels.

GSL MPPT12 1 12 24V 12A Solar Charge Controller Regulator | eBay

Just brought one today will see how it goes when it rocks up.

Originally Posted by DEFENDERZOOK

I'm looking to set up a solar panel up on the roof permanently......to keep the batteries topped up between trips and from lack of driving.......

All of this battery charging is totally confusing - our chief engineer knows and has done the stuff as aftermarket on RAN subs

To keep a LR size battery charged you need 10 - 30 ma on each battery (less flat -more cooks/bubbles). For a vehicle parked outside a 5w solar on the dashboard seems do the job (that is per battery seperate +- wire to each battery)

For charging my experience is 8 years ago for a serious application (in Solomons). Test of 30 different controllers available at the time

Test 1 80C and 100% humidity for 168hrs - half failed
Test 2 Shorted the output - rest failed

And that before testing MPPT and Lead Acid charging

Had to do our own MPPT proper Lead Acid charger

If you ignore development costs it wasn't too much of a loss as we had boxes and connectectors left over from obsolete telecoms equipment

I'm using a Tracer MPPT controller picked up from eBay, the same as this combo:
20A MPPT Solar Charge Controller Regulator 12 24V Tracer 2215RN 150V PV W Meter | eBay

(different seller though, I think).

I did a fair bit of research on controller before I purchased, but this unit seems to do the job very nicely. I have the controller installed on the back of the center console (so close to the battery), with the remote unit in the cargo area, where we would be most when checking the charging (accessing the fridge, etc).

I checked out lots of reviews on these controllers.

My research came up with the tracer charger as well......but my current budget refuses.......
I'll save up a bit more and do it right the first time......

GSL MPPT12 1 12 24V 12A Solar Charge Controller Regulator | eBay fitted it up on the weekend works like a champ was getting 95 watts out of 120watt panel pretty happy with it.