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Thread: Which solar panel to buy

  1. #1
    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    Which solar panel to buy

    Have a chance to buy a folding solar panel I like the 120 watt
    with 6.7 max AH[12kg] return.
    OR would the 160 watt panel returning 8.9 ah [16kg] be better
    my only major power use is my Engel which stays in the Patrol in the shade
    other than that its LED lighting and on the odd occasion my usb player/Mp3/cd
    I dont know what my needs would be in the future, Power wise now
    I can light a camp like the Queen Mary, hear tunes all night ,and
    have cold drinks and fresh food all weekend.
    I suppose for longer trips it would come in handy.
    Do others need 160 watt panels or is the 120 watt
    just as good as well as being lighter. I already have an 80 watt panel 4.7ah
    Last edited by threedogs; 21st September 2015 at 03:29 PM.
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  3. #2
    The 747 Winnie's Avatar
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    I have a similar setup to you John, I was advised to get a 120W panel, I bought a 140W panel to be safe and have camped for 5 days without starting the car and was fine.

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    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    Thanks Winnie you just have the Fridge, lights and tunes too I take it.
    Being 4 kg difference I can stay just as long with a 120 panel just need to be smarter with my battery use around camp
    Main thing is to keep the food from going off, [weekend spoiler] and keep the drinks cool.
    Big believer in travelling as light as possible without having to go without, pretty achievable
    It all adds up, weight that is, thanks again
    @ Winnie do you take an esky as well for drinks?
    Last edited by threedogs; 21st September 2015 at 03:45 PM.
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    Patrol God
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    I have a 170w fold out panel and a 70w on the roof of my car..

    The 170w is brilliant.

    I had my fridge on a battery with the panel for 2 weeks with the temps holding steady at 1.5 degrees

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    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    good one thanks BA thats alot of watts what are you running ??
    Do you take an esky for cold beer and kids drinks

    Just noticed most had the reg on the back of the panel, isnt it better at the battery end?
    Last edited by threedogs; 21st September 2015 at 04:07 PM.
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    The 747 Winnie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by threedogs View Post
    Thanks Winnie you just have the Fridge, lights and tunes too I take it.
    Being 4 kg difference I can stay just as long with a 120 panel just need to be smarter with my battery use around camp
    Main thing is to keep the food from going off, [weekend spoiler] and keep the drinks cool.
    Big believer in travelling as light as possible without having to go without, pretty achievable
    It all adds up, weight that is, thanks again
    @ Winnie do you take an esky as well for drinks?
    Yep, just the 40L Engel, minimal lighting, music, shower pump for 10 mins every day

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    Travelling Podologist Cuppa's Avatar
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    2 x 100w folders would be much easier to pack/unpack & generally move around. Less bulky/less weigh to lift.

    2006 4.2TDi ex-Telstra Remote area Camper. 425w roof mounted solar, 360Ah Aux batts, BCDC1240, Onboard hot & cold pressurised & filtered water, (25 litre hot water calorifier), ARB fridge, ARB freezer, Built in kitchen, heaps of easy access storage, 240v, 3” Genie exhaust + dynotune, 2” lift, 3900kg GVM upgrade, second glovebox, ROH Blaktrak steel wheels, Bridgestone D697's (now Toyo RT's), Redarc gauges/pillarpod, Hema HX-1, Icom 450 CB, dual rear view cameras, Onboard 30amp Victron mains charger, second glovebox, dual seat conversion, TPMS, Boss PX7 onboard air with 9 litre tank, 350w inverter, Steel bullbar, Harrop Eaton diff lock (front), Warn winch, Snorkel, Dual spares , 160 litre water tank, 180 litre fuel in two tanks (approx 1200km range) 2010 Tvan Tanami. (incl another 70 litre water tank) with matching wheels/tyres (& 3rd spare)
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    I am he, fear me the evil twin's Avatar
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    120 watts is oodles for 1 x Engel, some LED's and some tunes and will also run my water pump.
    I don't see the point of the extra size and weight of bigger panels if you don't use the capacity plus they get to be a PIA to store

    Solar Reg is best closest to the battery.
    Why almost every retard on Ebay insists on glueing the bloody things to the panels is totally beyond me
    Last edited by the evil twin; 21st September 2015 at 05:28 PM.
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    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cuppa View Post
    2 x 100w folders would be much easier to pack/unpack & generally move around. Less bulky/less weigh to lift.
    I wouldn't be buy these as they weigh far too much ,they also out do my power needs four fold.
    as I said I like to travel light Im yet to want for anything at camp or out touring

    As for the reg my 80 watt panel had one glued to the back it cooked the internals.
    Now after seeing bobs set up I can use which ever panel I like I also put one
    of those watt meters near the battery so I can see what different condition bring to the battery
    04 ST 3lt auto, not enough Mods to keep me happy, but getting there

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    Patrol God Bob's Avatar
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    My Regulator is mounted on the Van within 18 inches of the Batteries

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