Solar Panels
Submitted: Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 17:54
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Nik & Dee
Saw a few different units at the
Perth Camping show and price range from around $900-$1200 for a 100W unit. My question is, Are there any features that makes one unit better than another? They all have regulators and they all look much the same to me but I guess there must be some difference.
Should I be getting data sheets and what sort of things should I be looking for and what do I need to avoid?
Thanks
Nik.
P.S. To any one who gave advise about the show. I did get in on Sunday for about an hour and picked up a Jack and a set of MaxTrax for a good price. Cheers
Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 18:30
Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 18:30
The main feature I'd be looking for is to buy from an established company that will be around in time to come. No point having a 10 year warrenty if there's no
shop to return it to. Somewhere like WA solar for example would be able to explain to you the differences & what you are getting for your buck.
The quality & efficiency of panels varies considerably.
Cheers Craig..............
AnswerID:
409936
Reply By: Member - Alanc - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 23:43
Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 23:43
Hi Nik, I also went along with the idea of buying a 120w kit but left without a purchase and a little confused. What's the difference between a kit for $1200 and one for $700? (This was the cheapest I was quoted).
I know there are different solar controllers available but that does not explain the reason for such a big price difference. Except for one guy (Who was the most expensive) I found some knew very little about their product and others would not entertain a controller upgrade. I would prefer a controller with a LCD display.
I imagine there are panels and there are panels, how do you tell a quality panel?, I'm sure there is someone out there that can tell us so I will watch this thread with interest.
Regards
Alanc
AnswerID:
409990
Reply By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 09:54
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 09:54
Please check out the "My Profile" below ...
Cheers
Steve
AnswerID:
410024
Follow Up By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:09
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:09
Just as a follow up to this - several customers have requested to have their Reg moved to their camper or caravan - Most of the time this is not done simply because the reg is glued with silastic to the rear of the panel and it is difficult to remove it .. What I am doing at the moment is re- cabling and bypassing the reg completely -- I am also sourcing Kits with MPPT regs and Kits without fixed regs..
These will be arriving later this year along with larger kits - 2 X 80w and 2 X 100w foldable units . If you would like more info on this please send an email or PM
Rgds
Steve
FollowupID:
679957
Reply By: Mike DiD - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:39
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:39
www.jaycar.com.au currently have a 160 watt kit (2x80watt + regulator, waterproof connectors) on special for $1000.
That's 60% more power than the show "special" !!!
160 Watt Solar Kit
Jaycar have been operating Australia for at least 20 years and have stores all over Australia. If you're not satisfied you can take it back for a refund.
AnswerID:
410030
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 13:40
Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 13:40
Mike
is this the panel you bought that you said your unhappy with because it won't work in overcast conditions, unlike better quality and efficient solar panels ?
I ask because I'm sure you would not want other guys buying a solar panel that did not work as you expected, as you have said yours is inefficient :)
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
680224
Follow Up By: Mike DiD - Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 13:44
Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 13:44
Mainey - I'm sure everyone will be so glad to read that these panels produce less output when under overcast skies than when in direct sunlight.
FollowupID:
680225
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 18:31
Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 18:31
Mike,
why do keep avoiding my question to you??
Please advise us what brand of solar panel you have recently bought ??
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
680258
Reply By: bruce - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:56
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:56
I recently bought an 80w folding panel of Ebay reasonably cheap...made in China..took all of about 3-4 mins to cut the 6amp regulator from the silastic , as I did not need it (I have a 10amp) then put 2 decent legs on it , glued some 1/4 inch felt like material into each side of the carry bag for extra protection...and it works a treat...happy as....cheers
AnswerID:
410034
Follow Up By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 11:03
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 11:03
If you did all that work - why didn't you buy the 2 X 40 watt panels and hinge them yourself - That would have been cheaper still ..
Cheers
Steve
FollowupID:
679963
Follow Up By: bruce - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 20:42
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 20:42
No it would not have been cheaper.....all that work ?....what work ?,cut a regulator off , fit a couple of legs and glue a bit of padding in...I am retired..time is nothing......and I can flog the regulator to my neighbor cheaply for the panel he bought of me a while ago..cheers
FollowupID:
680022
Reply By: Mike DiD - Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 10:54
Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 10:54
I just came across another bargain - 102 watts of panels for $420 !
The pack consists of 3 34watt panels and a basic regulator, but for $60 you can upgrade to an MPPT Regulator for more output in some light conditions.
Oatley Electronics have been around for decades. I have two these panels and they deliver the specified output. The frames are very strong and since the panels are square, there will be less flexing than a long panel.
102 Watt Solar Kit
AnswerID:
410306
Follow Up By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 13:16
Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 13:16
They have them listed on ebay as
well >>
Site Link
$4.36 per Watt delivered to your door, or $4.95 per Watt delivered including a 15A MPPT regulator... pretty good value :)
(wish these sorts of deals were around when I started buying solar.... ;-))
In today's market, anyone who pays more than $5 per Watt for solar panels is paying too much, IMO (YMMV)
:)
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"Member
My Profile Send Message |
FollowupID:
680220
Reply By: wicket - Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 at 11:34