solar blanket

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 18:33
ThreadID: 137874 Views:3938 Replies:3 FollowUps:5
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just trying to find out about kings 120 watt solar blanket they are very cheap around the $230 has anybody got one
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Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 21:34

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 21:34
My brother has the 120w and 200w Kings.

Yes they are excellent value, as good as Supercheap Australia (SCA) Ridge Ryder folding blankets when on special.

We found the Kings 120w was 1amp more output than my 100w SCA unit, the Ridge Ryder being slightly more output than spec, and the Kings slightly under their spec.

The Kings 200w didn’t work first time it was set up, the panel worked on other controllers, so took the Kings controller back and they found it was wired up wrong way on output.
AnswerID: 624112

Follow Up By: john m85 - Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 21:59

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 21:59
thanks Les about the info on the Kings just can/t make my mind up there are so many types out there.
cheers.
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FollowupID: 897521

Reply By: RMD - Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 22:01

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 22:01
john m85
Just an alternative to solar blankets. While they are a good thing and can be stored easily they have to be positioned on something etc.
Probably you have a roof rack and use it for carrying gear. A fixed panel can be added to the roof rack and used for charging vehicle or van with appropriate cables/plugs.
For $85 you can buy a 160 watt panel which in theory delivers around 9 amps and is 120cm x 54cm x 3cm. It can be used as a portable panel or fixed or even on a slide under the roofrack and slid out when stopped. It then offers some shade for the vehicle. Some use them and silastic them to the van roof too connected integrally or via an anderson plug fitted to it's edge. Yes a regulator is required for flat panels. It can be positioned close to the battery connection for best results.

I considered folding and flexible panels but the cost is far more than fixed and so have recently bought three of the above, 2 side by side for the vehicle, replacing two 80w panels of same area, and one for the van roof.
Your choice of course.
AnswerID: 624113

Follow Up By: john m85 - Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 22:10

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 22:10
Thanks RMD that would be worth considering I will have to take some measurements and see hoe much room I have.
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FollowupID: 897522

Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 22:47

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 at 22:47
I hardly use solar as I generally drive daily touring when going away, but when I get to early desert camps for example about 1500 hrs, I park facing the afternoon sun, and unfold the blanket across the windscreen.
This gets great angle to the remaining sunlight, and blocks sun from the vehicles interior, keeping things cooler in there (my fridge is in the cab).
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FollowupID: 897524

Reply By: Member - Mark C (QLD) - Thursday, Feb 28, 2019 at 07:42

Thursday, Feb 28, 2019 at 07:42
I have a kings 120 and it is fantastic. Laying flat on ground will regularly push out 6-8amps all day.
Mark And Helen QLD
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AnswerID: 624114

Follow Up By: RMD - Thursday, Feb 28, 2019 at 07:59

Thursday, Feb 28, 2019 at 07:59
That is fantastic, seeing a fixed 120W solar panel under ideal actory testing which is rarey achieved by users, creates a maximum of 6.5amps. Well worth having one of those if the current remains at that level all day. If at max all day then the battery or load has to be using a lot of current and the system voltage isn't getting higher.
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FollowupID: 897527

Follow Up By: swampy - Saturday, Mar 02, 2019 at 08:37

Saturday, Mar 02, 2019 at 08:37
HI
Maywell be outputting max amps because the battery is close to being flat. Possibly u have also possibly high current users . Typically 160w or 200w is a way better option . Batteries should be in advanced stage of absorption if not float by lunch .
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FollowupID: 897550

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