Solar Panel question.

I just plugged a 12v 8watt fluro onto the aligator clips from the panel & it turned on bit flickery but was working.. Then put the panel into the inverter & the inverter fan started running so I think it's all good..

There are 2 X 60W panels which fold out with a diode on each 60w panel that feeds into a little charge controller on one of the panels..There's no settings or adjustments for different voltages.

Thxs ss--ss

Clamp the 2 connectors together, and put in full sun. With your clamp multimeter, measure the amps over one wire.
This will show short circuit amps, and real usable amps are slightly lower than this.

If you only saw 1 amp, as mentioned earlier, that is probably all that the battery needed, or would take. If it was under load, or low, then the amps would flow freely into it until its internal resistance slowed the flow.
Ie the use of an air compressor or other high load appliance.

Let us know what it is.

T

Hi, Today is very sunny & strong sunlight.. I shorted the pos & neg from the charge controller & can see 4.2amps.. Does that mean I'm only getting 50watts from the 120W panels.. Whilst this was shorted I tested the current from the 2 panels & saw one panel 2.2amps & other 2amps ...
I also tried connecting the panel directly to a 110watt mattress pump & saw around 4amps there also..

What are the dimensions of the panels (LxW, single panel), and where did you buy 'em ??

Can ya see where this is headed, Trains??

;-))

Hi
Odds on they are from Ebay & are low voltage panels

yeah there're off ebay... was 500 bucks which included the 2 x 60w panels , 240v inverter , charge controller , bag & delivery.. pretty dodgey how it's all put together, hinges & stand look like they are about to break. But for the price can't complain to much, today I'm seeing just over 4amps which has topped my batterries up..

Nothing wrong with buying solar panels/kits off ebay, that's where I got most of mine, and I have no complaints with any of 'em....

There is however, a known problem (discussed here before) with one seller in particular (that we know about) mis-representing his items...


ss--ss, can you give us the dimensions please (length x width, single panel), and the name of the seller.. also, what is printed on the label/s.. Thanks ;-)

Regards, Ed C

:)

Ed, the panels are each 53cm X 61cm the sticker on the back says 6.67a . But as mentioned I only could get a max of 4.1a.. Seller is luxuryhomesydney

same as these

ebay listing

Uh-huh, just as I thought :(

Those dimensions are about average for a 40W panel (good for approx 2.25A ea), so what you in fact have, is an 80W kit (and your own testing has confirmed this)..

What you need to do ASAP is to contact the seller, and tell him outright that the item is Not As Described...
He'll no doubt 'try it on', and make excuses, but stand your ground, and he will probably offer you the choice of a full refund, exchange for the 'correct' item, an additional panel to make up the 120W, or a partial refund..(He wants to 'keep you happy';-))

Which of these options you choose is up to you (it is after all a very good price as long as you get what is described in the listing), but the bugger needs to be held to account!!

Yes, he does have 100% positive feedback, and if/when challenged he does make good, thereby leaving no grounds for anyone to leave him a neg :(
Problem is, there are still far too many people who are simply unaware that they've been dudded :(

Good luck with it ;-)

Catch ya later...

:)

Thank You Ed C, You were absolutely right.
I'm not sure if it was a mixup on their end or deliberate, however sticker said 120w 6.67a but were only 80w.. I must say there customer service was very good & they gave me a deal I couldn't refuse .. Apparently came from a distributer in qld ?