Eco-Worthy 12v solar panels, Now drifting to... mono vs poly

Thanks BFL!

I"m only a few hours from Barrie. (I worked there for a bit last winter.) So I'll look into what they have.

??? Are there any advantages to the 24 volters, other than cost?

The specs for that P30L only say 'float voltage 13.8v (adjustable)'? No info on max voltage. Too low a voltage will cause wasted current not getting to the batts when they're at a higher soc.

Snowman9000 wrote:
Here's an offer I got accepted last night on ebay. $65 asking price, $58.00 best offer, accepted, for this Morningstar 25A SunSaver Duo PWM controller with remote temp capability. Needs an optional temp wire to do that.
Says it is for 2 battery banks, but it will work normally with just 1. I confirmed that with MS.

Free shipping to USA. I think it's a very good deal.

Solar Blvd: MS Sunsaver Duo on ebay

Windy nation has a 30 amp PWM controller with temp sensor for $49.00 including shipping. http://www.windynation.com/Charge-Controllers/Windy-Nation-Inc/P30L-LCD-30A-PWM-Solar-Panel-Regulator-Charge-Controller-with-Digital-Display-and-User-Adjustable-Settings/-/628?p=YzE9MTc=

Thanks vermilye... yeah I looked at those, great price but have to use bongo to ship. AFAIK bongo can get pretty expensive.

I wanted to buy 2 60w panels and build my own suitcase, but apparently it's far cheaper to buy one already made.

Here the standard price for solar at a "normal" solar place is $2/w for 12s and $1/w for 24s. These guys have a you pick up in Barrie too
I got my 230w from them here for $260 last year. I see the link to solarblvd has a Hanwha 235 for 160! Drat, it is too far to drive. :(

http://www.wegosolar.com/categories.php?category=Solar-Panels

There are some people selling solar stuff here and there with lower prices for 12s if you can find them. I expect it is the same in Ontario. Here is one around here someplace where he has some 100s for $125 (you pick up)

http://www.islandlifewholesale.com/100w-Mono-Crystaline-Solar-Panel-PWM-100.htm

Some people on the various sites, seem to be buying stuff like solar controllers on eBay that cost $15 and selling them for $45. All kinds of stuff going on out there in the jungle. :)

It might come down to shipping - Solar Blvd is selling a 120 Watt folding panel for $205.00 (does not include shipping).

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/310830607936

$242 for 120w of folding (suitcase) poly with free shipping.

Is this a reasonably good price??? (keeping in mind, us frost bitten canadian boys can't always get a good price on shipping out of the u.s.)

That is one area where my 220w mono had a advantage over the 230w poly. When both are running in full sun, the controllers are showing 12a for the mono and 15a for the poly. (that's a 25% increase for 10w difference) If I stuck my hand in front of the poly, I saw a 25% decrease in amps. The mono didn't change at all, staying at 12a. So possibly the mono is a better choice if you expect your antenna to be a shading issue.
I haven't checked to see if it is the same with the 245w monos.

My unscientific first impression of these Mono panels. . .

http://www.amazon.com/Renogy%C2%AE-Monocrystalline-Bendable-Solar-Panel/dp/B00IK19VF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413481663&sr=8-1&keywords=renogy+100w+bendable

. . . confirms that of Jim/Denver. I am always delighted at how well they work in direct sunlight--even early morning--and how quickly they fade to near zero in light cloud cover. Even tree branches shading a cell or two do not degrade the output as much as a passing cloud.

BFL, thanks. My MH has built in voodoo to handle that, so I'm going to just connect to the house side.