Feedback on this solar kit?
Hello, I see Harbor Freight has this kit on sale for $140. Yes, I know it's probably the cheapest cheesiest thing I could probably buy because it's from HF, but it's my first endeavor into solar charg...
Forum Discussion
JiminDenver wrote:Gr8life wrote:
Now we are getting somewhere. Any particular panel, or are they all the same? Any particular controller, or are they all the same? What makes them "solar" cables?
Sounds like you got a good deal.
Thank you, It wasn't as easy as picking brand name stuff and clicking buy but I learned a lot about solar while putting it together.
Given time I could do better as even ebay is not Target and I'm working on a quick search with what's listed now.
I started at SolarBlvd.com since they have a good rep here. They have a 100w panel for $125 plus $20 shipping to me. 100w panel
Add to that a Landstar 10a controller which has been used successfully here for $22.90 (free shipping)
10a controller
here is a 40 ft solar cable for $18.99 plus $6 shipping. (will make a pair of 20ft with connectors on panel ends.)
Cable
That's $192.89 and you still need the short run to the battery with a fuse. I can't find it because I don't know how long you will need it. Preferably as short as possible.
There is also this Eco-worthy 100w kit for $209 shipped. 100 kit
I have used a Eco-worthy MPPT controller but have no experience with their PWM models.
Here is another 100w kit for $202 shipped 100w kit
Again I know nothing of the controller
Others may suggest other options and I only spent a hour looking so I may be able to find less expensive or suggest better quality. I just wanted to show that there are better options than a HF kit.
The last one on the list seems like a good go. For me, I bought like a kid in the candy store. Someone else might say 'bought pigs in a poke. Anyway, the 'big brown' brought his surprise FEDEX their part of three panels. Then there was a really nice Mppt that came from Amazon $ $49.99 plus shipping (now priced at $69.99) Then on to EBay sometimes EBad. China direct. They ship quick but out of the three controllers I bought from them, only one possibly two looked QUALITY. I opened all to take a look see inside. All the meters from EBay seem good buys. Oh well, that was half the fun. It's been said, you never learn a darn thing from OTHERS mistakes.
Have fun, look up to the SUN, and maybe even buy the HF Kit. At $129.00 the other day with the 20% off.
