Which solar panel to buy

[threedogs]

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

[Winnie]

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.

[threedogs]

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?

[Winnie]

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

[Bloodyaussie]

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

[threedogs]

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?

[Cuppa]

2 x 100w folders would be much easier to pack/unpack & generally move around. Less bulky/less weigh to lift.

[threedogs]

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

[the evil twin]

snip...
As for the reg my 80 watt panel had one glued to the back it cooked the internals.

Yep the best environment for a Reg is a cool dry place, the hotter they get the worse they perform...
The best location electrically is close to the Battery so the cable losses are not on the output side which is bad for the Batteries

So where do the Ebay muppets glue them?
On the back of the panels... and then most of 'em throw in a 5 metre cable or more with an Anderson on the end 'for your convenient connection'

Total 'tards the lot of 'em

[Cuppa]

I wouldn't be buy these as they weigh far too much ,they also out do my power needs four fold.

The point I was trying to make was that it would be worthwhile keeping the weight of each folder to a minimum. You were considering a 160w folder, a big & cumbersome unit to cart around for all but the young, strong & fit. For someone with a bad back if would not be a good choice at all. The suggestion of 2 x 100w was to give a similar solar capacity (what’s 40w between friends?) was made with your carrying capacity in mind.

However if you now know your requirements, & two 100w folders do in fact out do your power needs four fold, buy just one. A 100w folder would save your back & give room for expansion.