Thread: Solar kit for under $500

For an expedient solution
Powertech Monocrystalline Solar Panel - 80W- Jaycar Electronics

And
20A Solar Charge Controller with LCD Display- Jaycar Electronics
(which will handle up to 24ish watts of panel input)

Or
12V 8A Water Resistant PWM Solar Charge Controller- Jaycar Electronics
(which will be. On its limits with the 120w panel but should do nicely with the 80/90w panels.

You could also get

20-Amp 12V Super Solar Panel Regulator- Jaycar Electronics
(which are not as good as most mppt regulators but are very very robust and reliable units

I have the panel and regulator from the first two links mounted to b my disco and it keeps me going four four days on an stock N55 size starting battery (stock battery for a disco1)

The second regulator I reccomend and setup for people nearer the beach or who want a boat setup for maintenance charging

The last regulator is the one in use when overall effeciency is less important than cost, reliability and robustness.

If you only wanted 120w worth and wanted maximum flexabiltiy I would reccomend two each of the 60w panels and 2 of the second type of regulator secured to the back of each panel and then whatever run of wire and Anderson connectors you required.

No, jaycar is not the cheapest place ton get your parts fromm but you should be able to.but it all tomorrow and have the peace of mind of being able to do warranty on it at any jaycar I'd you needed to.

Thanks Dave. And thanks for going to the effort to post the links.

Looking at the sizes and I think a folding unit might be better.....although they seem to be a lot more expensive.

I'll head over to Jaycar today and take a look as they're only down the road.