Post regarding 285 watt Solar Panel

WOW! sm, That was sure worth the price of admission!! I took a quick 10cent tour of each link and I already came away with ideas to use! I noticed you may also have Crown batteries? Anyway thanks again so much for the links!!

Thanks very much for the link to solar with pics!!

Lots of good installations described here:

Forum Members Solar Installations With Pics

My three 24v panels are in series for ~90 volt input to the Morningstar MPPT-60 controller.

To clarify, I was not looking for advice in the video. It was just the 285 watt panel that caught my ear. I watch most video's with some skepticism. I realize that some people may be more knowledgeable than others whether in videos or in forums. My purpose is to investigate various options that people use. Apparently the higher wattage panels are higher voltage also, (I did not know this until I started surfing the various RV and solar forums). Higher wattage panels are interesting because I could use less. I also realize that they take up more real estate. If I were to go with a high voltage panel I would also use a MPPT to get the highest efficiency possible. I had not intended to create a 48v battery bank or use a 48v inverter. I do appreciate everyone that takes the time to read and reply my posts.

sjturbo wrote:
Thanks smkettner! Advice was not what I was actually looking for. It was the use of a 285watt panel. It does appear from the video that the controller is a 12/24V model not a 48V model.

Are you contemplating using a 48V charging system and 48V capable inverters in an RV?
You do know that you don't need a controller rated to 48V output to charge a battery with 45V input?

I'm with smkettner on the value of that video. The author thinks that he is at a positive charge/usage rate when the controller shows a 9.5 amp discharge and a 5.4 amp charge supply. Additionally, if that is all he is getting out of the 285W panel, he is wasting a lot of charge. He should have an MPPT charge controller with that module.

Thanks smkettner! Advice was not what I was actually looking for. It was the use of a 285watt panel. It does appear from the video that the controller is a 12/24V model not a 48V model.

There was this post a few days about the 285 panels being installed on a 5th wheel

install solar system in fiver

Roy Ken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8EgXla5qTw

This set up has a lot wrong with it. I do not recommend taking much advice from this guy.

Panels
Qty W Year Dollars
2 x 180 - 2010 - $600 (36"x20")
1 x 300 - 2012 - $275 (60"x36") Largest one
1 x 280 - 2013 - $200 (56"x36")

As you see, I purchase my panels over a 3 year period. My last panel purchase was on Craig List (Phoenix area) was a BP. IMO, the maker was not a deciding factor. Voltage was. I stayed with a 5% tolerance on the panels. I still made add another as I still have the real-estate.
My plan was, plan for the future. We dry camp alot and we installed a residential refrig. Running the generator is very low. Even on Cloudy days I can get 15 to 25 amps.

Thanks gatorcq! Since you answered my firs question before I asked,
I guess my second question would be what is the physical size? Third would be what brand and where to find it. Thanks!