Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 01:10
You will get conflicting advice where ever you look.
I will recomend one panel, someone else will recomend another, does not mean one is wrong (or right either), just their choice is different.
The STORAGE BATTERY is the critical item and if you skimp there you loose.
Second most critical item is the Solar regulator.
The Solar panels are rated as a MAXIMUM Amps available in perfect weather conditions, and you should go a few Watts higher to guarantee the performance in long term
camp site use.
There is no single 'best' system, because people use their systems differently, some travel some don't, some are out in the sun on extension leads and some on the vehicle roof.
Back to your quote:
did you get quoted for 5 x 80 watt panels maybe because 4 larger 100 Watt panels would not fit ??
5 x 80 Watt BP panels (~4.8 Amp) are ~25 Amps Max, so the regulator should be ~25 Amp.
The PL40 (40 Amp) is an excellent regulator, but you can use lower Amp, which is lower price, with-out any problem.
The 4 x 64 Watt Unisolar panels are ~16 Amps Max, so the reg has to be ~20 Amps min, which it is.
As to batteries there is only ONE choice:
which brand of AGM battery.
Ok, there is a second choice.
Second choice is how large a capacity, or maybe even two or three smaller ones.
As to being 6 or 12 Volt is dependant on storage space and charging times.
Mainey...
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