Jaycar Solar Panels
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 16:24
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Silkwood
Jaycar are currently running a special on solar panels, with an 80w Monocrystalline (including controller) for $50. I don't know anything about these panels. Has anyone purchased them or have knowledge of them?
I have a 60 Amorphous setup and would like to complement this with mono panels. I am presuming (a dangerous pastime!) ther eis a way to connect them up? As I'm about to set up a Delica for
camping I'm going to be asking a lot of questions (after searching, naturally) about opinions on the best setups. Not trying to restart debates on this issue, just needing advice.
Cheers,
Mark
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 16:29
Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 16:29
Errrrr......
Mark suggest check that $ figure. If it's right, I'll take lots please!!
Cheers
John
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AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Silkwood - Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 17:18
Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 17:18
Thanks John, that'll teach me to review correctly. Yup, $500. Pity, I like the sound of the first price better! Can I edit on this
forum?
Cheers,
Mark
FollowupID:
664488
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 17:37
Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 17:37
Mark,
I hadn't seen Jaycar's offer but have now had a look. The package of an 80W panel with a controller for $500 is attractive. I note that their standard price for the panel is $475 (attractive) and for the controller about $50, so there is some saving in the package being offered.
We run a 60W plus an 85W panel and these provide enough to meet our (fairly frugal)
camping requirements. You may find our blog
Electricity for Camping interesting.
If you do proceed, you should be able to simply connect the two panels in parallel and run them through a single controller to your auxilliary battery. Note that you should go for a larger controller than that offered, as the 2 panels will provide up to about 9 amps in strong sunlight. I'd suggest a 20 amp controller. It should preferably be mounted close to the battery, not at the panel end of the cable.
HTH
John
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Reply By: Member - Ian W (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 21:17
Sunday, Dec 20, 2009 at 21:17
Where are you Mandrake?
AnswerID:
395866
Reply By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 08:46
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 08:46
Cheers guys !! I already sent a PM to
Silkwood ....
Thanks for looking after my interests -- I owe a lot to a few people on this website -
Many thanks - I now have an ABN !!!!
Rgds
Mandrake
AnswerID:
395906
Follow Up By: Member - Timbo - Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 13:51
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 13:51
Can you post the reply here for the benefit of the rest of us? I'm looking to use some
solar power to "top-up" my second battery (Urban power pakc by Blue Apple) which doesn't quite get enough charge from the car system, particularly if I
park the car someplace and take a hike...
FollowupID:
664627
Follow Up By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 14:00
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 14:00
Since you have asked - No I can't - ( self-advertising rule here prevents certain responses from business members ) .. However the website on my link below
has all the info PLUS check Members Rewards for the ABN Special ...
Any further comment needs to be done via email ..
Rgds
Mandrake
FollowupID:
664629
Reply By: Silkwood - Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 19:23
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 19:23
I've had a great offer of 2 x 50W panels for a very good price ;-). Practically the same as that for the 80W set-up.
Included is an MPPT controller. Does anyone have any knowledge of how this differs from others, and what are the alternatives?
Cheers,
Mark
AnswerID:
395981
Follow Up By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 21:46
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 21:46
An MPPT controller is able to utilise the voltagge received from a solar panel above the battery requirement of 14 volts - By elctrickery it does a DC-DC conversion and gains some extra Amps which are used to charge the connected battery ..Typically the MPPT controllers can add 10-30% extra Amps than a standard PWM type ..
The one mentioned in the offer is basic ( hence the low price ) It only has LEDs for a display - No LCD screen showing Volts Amps etc..
Rgds
Mandrake
FollowupID:
664681
Follow Up By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 21:48
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 21:48
Here's a good definition of
MPPT controllers
Rgds
Mandrake
FollowupID:
664682
Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 22:55
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 22:55
I like this bloke's explanation >>
What the heck is an MPPT ?
AFAIK all
grid-tied solar systems use MPPT controllers (ours certainly does ;-)...
Only way to go, IMO
;-))
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 at 22:03
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 at 22:03
www.oatleyelectronics.com have a special on 34 watt Solar Panels currently.
The bare cable doesn't have any connectors on it - a waste of money for me as I use Anderson 30 amp Powerpoles.
They're $190 each - a good price if you don't need lots of power. I'm using two to make a fold-up unit. I prefer the squarish format (65x55 cm) compared with the usual rectangular format as in 80 watt panels.
Buy three and you get a free MPPT Controller - a very basic unit that has no digital display.
AnswerID:
396132