Product Report..... Solar Panel
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:30
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Member - Brian (Gold Coast)
Howdy all,
Over the last four years we have had drama's from time to time with the aux battery going flat whilst running our fridge, only ever when we are at
camp and not driving every day. Our Trailblaza 70L is a ripper of a fridge, but they do like their amps! Anyway, whilst planning a week on North Stradbroke Island, which we have just returned from today, and knowing we were going to be spending lots of time "parked up" at various
places of interest, I invested in a solar panel. After much homework and procrastination, I chose a
GP-100 from ABR 4WD Accessories. Now, I think that Derek from ABR advertizes here on EO, but let me point out that I am in NO WAY connected to him or his business. I am simply a satisfied customer.
I contacted Derek the day before I wanted to pick up the panel, he was there waiting for my SWMBO when she arrived to buy it, and the panel worked a treat! It kept our aux battery topped up marvellously, allowing us to soak up the beauty of Nth Stradbroke Island without having to worry about having hot drinks in the fridge at the end of the day!
Am I happy with the purchase? Yep!
Can I recommend the product? Absolutely!
Would I buy from ABR again? Positively!
Cheers
Brian
Reply By: Member - shane (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:57
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:57
that great to hear, not many like that around.
what size panel did you buy?
AnswerID:
264790
Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:28
Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:28
Hi Shane,
I bought the
GP-100 which is a bi-fold 100w panel. It fits neatly in the rear of the Patrol and works a treat!!
Cheers
Brian
FollowupID:
526622
Reply By: Member - Debbie R (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 22:04
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 22:04
Hi Brian
Its good to give positive feedback, too many people only post negatives, I am sure Dereck appreciates it also, last year I bought an auxillary battery system from ABR, I had my auto electrician install it and he made comment on the high quality of all the components, he was impressed, and so to am I.
DEBBIE
AnswerID:
264792
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Oct 08, 2007 at 19:45
Monday, Oct 08, 2007 at 19:45
Debbie, maybe it could be explained by the people with solar systems working correctly don't ask any questions and therefore don't post how good they believe their system realy is either, simply because they have no bench-mark to gauge it by.
It's only when they change the brand of solar Regulator or add a second panel that they will see the performance variation.
But, IMO, a Solar system (even a 'toy' system) is better than any other source of external 12v charger (except turbine) anyway lol
Maybe only people asking questions, who are probably unhappy with the product or service anyway, make the negative comments ??
FollowupID:
527571
Reply By: Topcat (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 22:21
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 22:21
Hi Brian, glad to see you are at last a happy customer with a suitable
solar power setup to run your fridge. When I purchased my first portable fridge over 30 years ago which was an Engel 40 litre l went looking at
solar power to back up my
battery power to run it when
camping & was told that the minimum charge supply to run it for an extended period was a set-up that could produce at least a 5amp/hr delivery charge rate in good conditions & the duration would depend on the battery capacity to run it.
I bought a trailblazer 60 ltr. fridge back in 1987 which has run trouble free since using a deep cycle battery capacity of 190 amphr.power supply backed up by 2 BP 80 watt solar panels which are now 20 years old & are still performing to my requirements .
Good to see the advancement in solar technology going to good use. Cheers.
AnswerID:
264795