How many solar watts should I get?
Thinking of investing in some portable solar panels but once again, I'm confused by the amount of product diversity out there. And my knowledge on the topic is minimal. :h So to understand what I'...
Forum Discussion
As far as $300, here's what I've bought:
Two of the 50w panels here
He had them cheap on ebay earlier this year, I got two for $150 including shipping. Now they are probably more like $200. He has a 100w panel for $145 plus shipping.
I bought a Morningstar Sunsaver 20 PWM for $75 shipped. Unfortunately it is the prior generation (Gen 2) and is not a 3 stage charge controller. It does not float, it charges at 14.4, with temperature compensation. However given that my setup is portable and will not be connected when I'm not camping, I don't think the lack of float will be an issue. It might even be better for my uses by not having the voltage reduced.
There are the RJsFishing China controllers for like $10 shipped. Honestly, if you only get a 50w panel, I think you could easily skip the controller for now. Just alligator clip the wires to your battery, and don't leave it connected if you're not camping. Someone with more experience will confirm or dispute that, I hope.
I bought 50 feet of 12-2 low voltage (150v) landscape cable at Menards (home center) for $26.xx plus tax. Add some ring terminals and clamps for the wiring and you're done. In my case I've going higher end with Anderson PowerPoles, which adds another few bucks. I'll have $150 + $75 + $50 wire and odds & ends = $275 for 100w portable kit. So you could do something similar for $300 more or less, depending on the controller cost and the odds & ends. For super cheap starter kit with no controller, just a 50w panel, the wire, and a couple of ring terminals and clamps, you ought to be $150 or less.
Two of the 50w panels here
He had them cheap on ebay earlier this year, I got two for $150 including shipping. Now they are probably more like $200. He has a 100w panel for $145 plus shipping.
I bought a Morningstar Sunsaver 20 PWM for $75 shipped. Unfortunately it is the prior generation (Gen 2) and is not a 3 stage charge controller. It does not float, it charges at 14.4, with temperature compensation. However given that my setup is portable and will not be connected when I'm not camping, I don't think the lack of float will be an issue. It might even be better for my uses by not having the voltage reduced.
There are the RJsFishing China controllers for like $10 shipped. Honestly, if you only get a 50w panel, I think you could easily skip the controller for now. Just alligator clip the wires to your battery, and don't leave it connected if you're not camping. Someone with more experience will confirm or dispute that, I hope.
I bought 50 feet of 12-2 low voltage (150v) landscape cable at Menards (home center) for $26.xx plus tax. Add some ring terminals and clamps for the wiring and you're done. In my case I've going higher end with Anderson PowerPoles, which adds another few bucks. I'll have $150 + $75 + $50 wire and odds & ends = $275 for 100w portable kit. So you could do something similar for $300 more or less, depending on the controller cost and the odds & ends. For super cheap starter kit with no controller, just a 50w panel, the wire, and a couple of ring terminals and clamps, you ought to be $150 or less.
