folding solar panels

we are planing to get new panels, question is there are so many out there now.
are all brands pretty much the same and if we get 240 is there a problem over charging our batteries.

you can pick up 120 panels for around 250 and 240 for under $400.000 on Ebay
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Reply By: Chris85 - Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 07:33

Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 07:33
You should get a quality dedicated charger/regulator (eg: ctek d250s) then you wont have any issues with overcharging. There are plenty of other quality chargers but the costs also skyrocket. I ahve the ctek on my ute and its a 12v to 12v charger aswell as a solar regulator in one. Pretty sure you can pick one up for $260 on ebay
AnswerID: 488141

Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 10:17

Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 10:17
Firstly you need to ensure that the panel you are looking at is 12 volts.

I have a fixed 80 watt poly panel on the roof of our van and it works well.
I also have a folding 160 watt set of Mono panels and they work extra well, which I purchased off ebay. Prices have come down considerably in the last 12 months since my buying mine.

Importantly you need a good, 20 amp or better, solar regulator for the set up you are looking for. There is not a huge difference between MPPT or PWM regulators but MPPT is the best.
Monocrystaline panels are reportedly the best but Polycrystaline panels come a very close second.

I have no quams about buying panels from Ebay sellers. I purchased from this bloke panels are good quality and this price seems good as well.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-95W-Solar-Panel-Monocrystalline-Module-12V-/280879688426?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item4165bbeaea

These are well priced also

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-145W-Solar-Panel-Monocrystalline-Module-12V-/221043983681?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item33773f8541

As for foldin movable panels and fixed roof mounted panels I can't find a huge difference in my setup. My van batteries are always charged up by about lunchtime and I do not use inverters. Every thing I have runs off 12 volts or I don't have it. Personal preference to cut down on lost energy throught conversion.
I know these are single panels but a couple of hinges and a couple of suitcase clips and you can convert them to folding if you wish or fit them permanently to the van roof. As I say, not a huge difference in outcome from my experience.

Your 240 watts goal seems to be a good choice in my opinion having been in to solar for the last 12 months. I set my folding panels up every day at home as I am running LED lighting in the house and I have had both MPPT regulators on the system as well as PWM regulators.

I am currently leaning toward the 30 watt Fangpusun PWM regulators which have the same circuit as the Steca PWM regulators which have a very easy to interpret display with the battery condition displayed in a fuel guage like format.
see link

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20A-Intelligent-Solar-Regulator-LED-Display-12V-24V-FP20A-/261011133915?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item3cc579d5db

I recently bought 2 of these for $90 each from another supplier free postage.
I now have 2 MPPT and 2 PWM regulators and have used all of them so I have some experience with them.

Long winded response but comprehensive I think.

Hope this helps,
Cheers, Bruce.





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restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 10:25

Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 10:25
for some reason those links are not working so copy and paste the link into your URL line in your browser.

For some reason I cannot use my insert link function as the insert screen dissapears whenever I try to paste into it. I can't work it out. Now one else is having this problem apparently. Guess I am stuck with it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 11:39

Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 11:39
Try these:

Link_1

Link_2

Link-3

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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 11:47

Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 11:47
Thanks Fred,

You're a legend mate. Cheers, Bruce.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: sugarcanecampers - Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 17:21

Monday, Jun 11, 2012 at 17:21
we finally made an executive dicision and got a 120 folding set for $230 on ebay
we do have a panel on top old one about 90 w as well
this set weight is 13 kilos. the 240s are 25 kilos. and a bit large for our 15.6 Gazel all terrainer space wise

also we would love to get thew redarc but have to wait a bit dollarr wise for that.
Joys of being on the pension.
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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 09:31

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 09:31
Fred, I sent you a PM. Hoping you can help.

Cheers, Bruce.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 10:31

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 10:31
Bruce, have replied
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Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:50

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:50
Sugarcanecampers,
here is a direct link to the Fangpusun regulator I purchased.
Good mob to deal with and good price for that sized unit. As I said i prefer it to the other MPPT units I have.

30 Amp solar regulator
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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AnswerID: 488266

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