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.
| At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
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AnswerID:
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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.
| At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.Lifetime Member My Profile Send Message |
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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.Lifetime Member My Profile Send Message |
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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.
FollowupID:
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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.Lifetime Member My Profile Send Message |
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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
regards
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