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Wondering if anyone has any experience with Kings solar panels?
From what I've worked out regarding solar panels, you can't be sure of what you get until you hook it up and test it. With that in mind, I reckon you can go 2 ways. Spend less and expect less or spend more and hope you get more.
Can anyone recommend any good brands of panels??
Thanks.
A mate has the 120w Kings solar blanket. Hes had it since they released it i think. This thing has been used and abused to no end and still keeps on keeping on today no issues.
It was zippy ties on top of his roof rack for months in the sun, rain, you name it.
The only thing we done is re-terminated the end plug with a proper anderson unit.
However, a workmate bought the same unit later on and the thing fell apart within the first summer. Different build material, different factory or quality specs? Who knows.
With kings, for me it's a roll of the dice.
I purchased a Kings 120W Solar Blanket with MPPT Regulator about a month ago.
It seems well made, and it dose put out the 6-7amp as stated on the box, but I'm only a month into ownership too, so longer durability is yet to be seen.
I have used a smaller 20 year old 40watt fold out panel, which was used previously within the Commercial 2way Radio Field, to trickle charge a Battery Supply for a Temp Radio Repeater. 20 years on and it still puts out good rated power supply, so one would think wit the advancement in Cell Design and Performance, the Kings 120w Solar Blanket should be well more advance.
Not specific to Kings, but just general information. Most solar panels are over-rated in terms of output. You can only reasonably expect around 170-180 watts maximum per square metre of actual active panel surface in ideal conditions (clean and placed square on to bright midday sun). Top shelf (read 'expensive') units may be just a little higher.
Just had a look on supacenter, I think the 160w with MPPT for $151 represents good value.
Thanks for the input everyone.
I've looked at the spec sheets for cheap and expensive panels. Most panels give you a few specs in their adverts. Kings give you as many specs as the expensive panels and doing what research I can do, the specs match up with the size of the panels, just as the more expensive panels do.
It's a gamble either way I reckon.
Thanks again.
Have a Kings 110 watt on my roof. It is 670 x 920 mm in size. .67X.92=.6164 square metres. Multiply this by the suns maximum power output which is 1000 watts per square meter = 616.4 watts !! Holy krap! That is awesome! But a good cheap solar panel has around 18 % efficiency. Damn. So 616.4 X.18= 110.9 watts. So Kings aint bullsharting their numbers unlike most ebay sellers! ( have tested the output and it measures up )
I have bought many "cheap" monocrystaline panels from ebay and have not had a dud. I did have to replace the bypass diode on one of them but that was no biggy. Diodes are probably 10c each.Quote:
Originally Posted by 10G
Ordered a Kings 250W foldable panel. I'll test it out when it arrives, I'm hoping it's reasonable in performance.