Portable solar panels

Buy the best quality "products" you can afford :-))

panels AND regulators

So what is your budget ???

Mainey . . .

Bob S ,

For anyone to give you a really good answer we need some info on

how long you intend to be away from MAINS power and where you intend to be - A system that needs to run in 48 degrees will need more power than one that runs in a 30 degree climate -
Your budget as Mainey suggests -
Amps that the Engel draws when running flat out ..

Too many variables at the moment - But you will require A Battery a Solar Regulator and Solar Panel / panels

Rgds

Mandrake

Not into the technicalities Bob , only what works for us. We run an 80 w panel on the F250 roof. It powers one 100 a/h deep cycle battery, and we have a controller (digital readout gizmo). This is enough to run a 40 litre Engel and a couple of reading lights. We are trying it next time with two batteries to see how it goes. With a 60 litre Engel, you may need at least a 100 w panel (any good brand).

Motherhen

There must have been a million posts on this subject shared amongst the plethora of fora that have interest in it.

I've done a whack of research into alternative power sources that are available to a non technical person like my self.

I've come to the conclusion that , for my needs, a couple of UniSolar 64 watt panels, hinged together with dismountable hinges, connected in parallel electrically, with a quality controller big enough to accept further panels, will be the way to go.

I will choose amorphous cell panel for their ability:

a. to operate well when they are partly shaded (by a tree branch or whatever,)
b. to operate better in high temperatures,
c. to be less critical in relation to the angle of the sun,
d. to produce well in light overcast,

They are larger in surface area than others for the same nominal out put but this is compensated for by their lighter weight.

They are made of bonded materials with a strong resin "glass" which is more resistant to damage by hail, flying stones etc. and is quite simple to repair if it should get chipped.

The Australian military use them almost exclusively for portable use and remote location applications.

They are not often advertised because the production facility has difficulty keeping up with forward orders.

It is rumoured that their next "release to the public" will be continuous roll panel printed on flexible substrate to be manufactured at a new factory.

I am not aware of their present availability nor prices but a 'google' search will find their distribution.

Can't tell you the tech's of solar panels at all Bob, but I can tell you this;

A) When I decided to buy a solar panel, I spoke/emailed Derek Bester who advertises on this site. We discussed my requirements and he advised me on a panel. For my 70L Trailblaza fridge to keep running on the aux battery, I use a 100 watt Bi-Fold Panel and regulator. The GP-100 bi fold. You can view the panel here

B) It works and it works well!

C) No association with the company blah blah blah..... just a VERY satisfied customer.


Cheers and good luck,

Brian

Bob, lots of fun raising this topic! If anyone had THE right answer everyone would be using their suggestions.

I've had a 64w Unisolar for 8 years, bought it for some of the reasons raised here. It IS large for its output, it does work really well when it gets really hot (when you really need it, quite the opposite to that which was stated earlier, that is you need it most when it gets cold and wet?!!). I also chose it because it is light and less prone to damage that other options. There have been suggestions that the life span MAY not be as long as predicted, but still long term propositions and possibly no different to the rest.

I'm about to get more panels and will be asking advice on this forum because the participants usually provide useful information (though some get a little over excited when doing so!). My next panels will probably be poly or mono, simply because I feel having the mix will give me more opportunities to get it right :-) .

Be wary of listening to outright statements on this or any other internet forum, with Google anyone can find arguments to support their particular viewpoint. If you can afford a little extra room and will not be mounting the panels permanently on your roof I think the Amorphous are a good choice. If you want more efficiency for the space taken and want more "Bang For Your Buck" Poly or Mono may be a better choice.

The bottom line is: if you have enough panel to provide for your needs and they are connected to a decent controller you'll have made a good choice.

Cheers,

Mark

I use a 130w Kyocera panel with a Plasmatronics PL20 controller and a 130 amphour battery. Seems to work fine for me. My fridge is a "Cole Cool" 50lt now sold as Koolmen. I swear these things are indestructable. Made in Bibra Lake (Perth)

Bob,
Watch the glass ones as they break when they fall over. I have seen it happen twice. End of the line for those puppies.

Cheers

Steve

I find it odd that the originator of this post has said "nothing" since starting it ?

wonder why ?

Rgds

Mandrake

I apologize if I have offended anyone by not placing any replies in this thread that I originated.

I have been quietly observing the information being exchanged in what appears to be a controversial topic.

Some of the replies supplied have been relevant to my original question which was inviting " .... comments for and against different brands of portable (solar) panels". Some have not been relevant and others are beyond my current level of understanding.

But I am sure that those that are not relevant to my question may be helpful to others reading this thread both now and in the future - including myself.

Thanks to all contributors - you have helped me make a more informed choice.

Bob