Costco coleman 100w
Just looking for any input on these panels? I am thinking of purchasing 3 for a total of 300w and get a different charge controller. Are these good panels? Costco coleman 100w panel
Forum Discussion
I suspect these are polycrystalline panels which are a bit less efficient than monocrystalline panels. Costco does not state what they are, it only says they are "crystalline" solar panels. Their literature does say the panels have built in blocking diodes to prevent battery discharge back through the panels at night. What you don't have are mounting brackets, cables, junctions for joining the wires, waterproof plugs, and a better solar controller to handle the 300 watts. It's these little extras that nickel and dime you. If this isn't a system you will be depending upon, then you probably won't worry about having disconnect switches, meters to monitor the output from the panels or the discharge from the batteries. I did worry about that stuff, AFTER I had installed a basic system and discovered I wanted to know more about what was gong on in the system. That added more cost because of the rewiring I had to do to add electrical shunts into my circuits for the meters, extra crimp connectors, uprating the hookup wire from 10 AWG to 8 AWG, etc., etc., etc. So, I agree with kerrlakeRoo, start out with a better system that provides more stuff you are going to need to make the panels a complete system. Think through what your objectives are for the system, and plan it correctly the first time... I actually rewired my entire battery system 3 times before I got it right, and wasted about $100 in wires, plugs, connectors, a disconnect switch, plus about 20 hours of my time in labor.
Also remember, if you have a 12 V converter, the converter and solar controller will both be trying to charge your batteries, sometimes at the same time. (Note: most wiring diagrams only show the solar panels controlling the batteries like they are an isolated and independent system). I have read that it is okay to simply let the two systems operate simultaneously, and I note my Progressive Dynamics PD2545 and my Wanderer PWM solar controller seem to get along fine. But, to be safe, I wired a switch into the 110V input to the PD2545 so I can shut it off except when I may need additional 12V at night when I have a hookup.
Good luck with your project-
Steve
Also remember, if you have a 12 V converter, the converter and solar controller will both be trying to charge your batteries, sometimes at the same time. (Note: most wiring diagrams only show the solar panels controlling the batteries like they are an isolated and independent system). I have read that it is okay to simply let the two systems operate simultaneously, and I note my Progressive Dynamics PD2545 and my Wanderer PWM solar controller seem to get along fine. But, to be safe, I wired a switch into the 110V input to the PD2545 so I can shut it off except when I may need additional 12V at night when I have a hookup.
Good luck with your project-
Steve
