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Thread: Which solar panel to buy

  1. #11
    I am he, fear me the evil twin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by threedogs View Post
    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
    Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to the evil twin For This Useful Post:

    Bob (21st September 2015), threedogs (21st September 2015)

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  4. #12
    Patrol Guru blocko05's Avatar
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    I have a 140w panel and it runs my 65 liter fridge and lights no problem on a 85a/hr battery. For your usage a bigger panel would only benefit you on cloudy days other wise just stick to what you have got and save your money for more beer. I have my regulator closer to the battery with a watt meter so I can keep an eye on things.

  5. #13
    Travelling Podologist Cuppa's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by threedogs View Post
    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.

    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)
    A Nomadic Life (Blog)

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    blocko05 (22nd September 2015)

  7. #14
    Patrol Freak garett's Avatar
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    i saw a fold-able 120w solar panel like a thick blanket might be worth a look. not sure how long it would last but it rolls up pretty small
    if its worth doin its worth over doin

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    Bush Ranger (3rd December 2015)

  9. #15
    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    The one Im looking at is German made with 25yr output warranty
    04 ST 3lt auto, not enough Mods to keep me happy, but getting there

  10. #16
    Patrol Guru blocko05's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cuppa View Post
    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.
    Cuppa has a good point.

  11. #17
    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    12kg 120 watt folder will suit me. I understand what Cuppa says,
    remember I also have an 80 watt panel if I require extra AH's
    I dont mind chasing the sun at camp ,not much else to do ha ha
    I now have my system similar to Bobs, if it aint broke dont fix it eh
    04 ST 3lt auto, not enough Mods to keep me happy, but getting there

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    Bob (22nd September 2015)

  13. #18
    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    @ ET, Bob and others after my panels arrive all I need do is toss the reg and fit up a 50 amp anderson plug .
    is that right? then use the MPPT reg and watt meter I use now

    cost me $187 for a 120 watt folding panel 25 yr warranty on output
    weighs in at 12 kg I thought that was a good deal

    15yrs ago my BP 80 watt panel cost me $150 2nd hand, still going strong.
    belts out tunes in the backyard from an old head unit and my small 18 ah battery
    which does my lights at camp easy, then I have another 100 ah battery in the camper for tunes or extra lights
    Then my 115 ah aux battery which is resigned to Engel only, and has a lead to allow solar charging
    either at the front or rear of my Patrol. so imo have most bases covered.
    Last edited by threedogs; 22nd September 2015 at 10:25 AM.
    04 ST 3lt auto, not enough Mods to keep me happy, but getting there

  14. #19
    I am he, fear me the evil twin's Avatar
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    Yeah, I pretty much bypass the shitty Regs they come with and run the feed direct to a quality Reg near the battery bank.

    Totally your choice whether you use Anderson or MC4 style plugs
    I prefer MC4 on the solar side and Anderson on the Regulated side

    MC4 on the Panel side of the Reg you can buy branch connectors (or make your own) that will connect multiple panel arrays for like $5 to $10

    Anderson on the Load side of the Reg (remembering the Reg may be either permanent on board or portable) means it is easy to swap connections for devices to the Battery or hook up to other banks or whatever.

    For portable setups you can velcro the Reg to the panels for storage and again velcro to the Camper or whatever when operational

    No biggee tho, what works for some users can be a PIA for others
    Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

  15. #20
    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    Thanks I was impressed with Bobs set up looked simple and hey it works and works well
    Ill check these MC4 connectors/plugs out
    Just brought 5 pairs of MC4 connectors from Big Als on Ebay for $10
    Last edited by threedogs; 22nd September 2015 at 11:02 AM.
    04 ST 3lt auto, not enough Mods to keep me happy, but getting there

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