Let's Try This Again.Why wdn't I buy this Solar Kit for $264

I did some calculations on my needs to run my water pump a few times a day and power my laptop for two hours total and a couple LED lights for a few hours and it seems 120 Watts might be sufficient to keep my battery up on sunny days. My Honda EU2000i will do duty on sunless days. The price od solar per watts seems to have plumited just in the last few months. These new system prices from Solar Boulevard were just posted on June 13. I'm seeing 120watt systems from $250 to well over $600.
This one from from Solar Boulevard is $288 and from what I can find out on the internet they seem to be a reputable concern.

http://www.solarblvd.com/p2748/12-Volt-120-Watt-Solar-Panel-Kit-with-FREE-SHIPPING/product_info.html

But it is also available on Ebay from same vendor (Solar Boulevard) for a few $$ less....$264 No tax/free shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Kit-120-W-Watt-120W-120Watts-Photovoltaic-PV-Solar-Panel-12V-RV-Boat-/271209960880?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f255f95b0

Brand New
Solar Cynergy 120 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline
Solar Panel Complete Kit.

You will receive:

1 pcs: 120 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel
1 pcs: Phocos CML-20, 20 Amp 12V PWM Charge Controller
1 pcs: Phocos CMM Volts/Amp Display For Charge Controller

1 pcs: 40 FT 10 Gauge PV Cable With MC4 Connectors
1 pcs: Z Bracket (4 Pack)

PV-SC120J12

Solar Cynergy photovoltaic modules are designed for commercial and domestic applications and suitable for both grid-tied and off grid systems. Solar Cynergy offers both high performance and reliability. The silicon solar cells, held by heavy duty anodized aluminum frames, are laminated with TPT & EVA for longer working life and high efficiency output. An ideal power supply for boats, traffic signs, lights, pumps, vehicles, RVs, homes, camping and caravans.

Model Name: PV-SC120J12
Number of Cells: 36 cells in series (4 x 9)
Max Power: 120Wp
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 21.0V
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 7.50
aximum Power Voltage (Vmp): 17.0
Maximum Power Current (Imp): 7.00
ensions (inches): 53.12 x 26.50 x 1.25
Weight: 27 pounds

Back of panel includes a juntion Box with MC4 Connector.

Warranty: For panels that range from 80w to 200w, an output power of more than 90% of the minimum peak power within 10 years and more than 80% in 20 years is guaranteed.

Max Module Current: 20 Amps
Max Load Current: 20 Amps
System Voltage: 12/24
Self Power Consumption: <4mA
Dimensions: 80 x 100 x 32 mm
Type Of Protection: IP22

Battery State-of-Charge display with 3 LEDs
Acoustic load disconnect pre-warning
PWM-regulation (series type)
Boost, Equalize and Float charging, also for VRLA
Automatic 12/24 Volt detection
Integrated temperature compensation
Large terminals (up to 16mmwire size)
SOC and voltage controlled LVD
Fully electronically protected

Information on the Phocos CMM:

Remote Display for Phocos CA, CML and CMLNL

Measuring and display panel current, load current and battery voltage.
Clear, readable 3-digit LCD Display
3-position switch to select which value to be displayed
3LEDs to show which value is displayed by LCD
Prepared for DIN rail and wall mounting

Any comments or suggestions are welcome

28 Replies

Rbertalotto
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
BTW...This is not my first foray into the world of Solar Power.
A few years ago I had a job that allowed me to ride my motorcycle all over America and Canada. All I needed was cell phone and internet access. Keeping the devices charged was a challenge for my wattage handicapped Suzuki V-Strom. So I built what I called my "Solar Powered Moto Office"
A small Pelican case on the back of the bike with a 12v battery, inverter and various jacks to power up devices:

The lap-Top sat right there, running off its internal battery or the backup battery:

The cigarette lighter plug in the above picture, plugged into the bike and charged the devices if the bike was running.
But at lunch stops or if I was on a picnic table in a rest stop on a long winded conference call, the solar panel I had mounted to the top was doing the charging:

I also have a motorcycle trailer that I haul to track days and various motorcycle events. A solar panel on the roof keeps motorcycle batteries charged and a battery in the trailer for a couple LED lights.

And the grand whazzoo is my house. I had a 10,500 watt back feed system installed last September:

This system simply backfeeds the meter for credits during the day. No battery storage. I haven't had an electric bill since February, an now I actually have a credit with the power company for a bit over $200. And I have a full blown machine shop in the garage with Lathe, Milling Machine, Compressor, Grinders and MIG and TIG welders. My electric bill was averaging about $230 a month. Since the install, my largest bill has been around $60 and that was January with snow on the panels most of the month. Solar City did the install and to say I'm pleased with the whole deal would be an understatement.

Yup, I'm a Solar Junkie....And proud of it!...:B
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Thanks for that list....Great info there.

I just spent some time out in the camper with my newly installed AC keeping the temperature at a nice 65 degrees... :C

Trying to figure out how to get big heavy wires to follow the pop-up roof down when the camper is closed up.

I think I figured out a method:

Here in the corner of the counter top, behind the sink is a nice open space.

And under neath this area is the beautiful wiring and plumbing job done by the superb craftsmen at Palomino:

Now fortunately, this area is right next to the converter and the battery area:

So I'm going to use two pieces of PVC. One riding within the other.

The small diameter piece will be attached to the ceiling and the large diameter piece to the counter:

(Obviously these pieces are too short. Just some scrap I had hanging around for proof of concept)

The wire riding withing the tube will have a piece of bungee cord attached to it to pull it down into the bottom cabinet as the top collapses.

WHATDAYATHINK!
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2013
Search on the forum is tricky. Unless the term is very rare, you are getting hundreds of hits and filtering doesn't help.

In case if you haven't seen "The List",
here it is.

Most people just mount it flat, as you can see. Tilting means climbing the roof every time when you arrive on the camp, and climbing it up again when you are leaving. And not just climbing - you have to walk a few steps on it and do your thing, don't know how strong is your pop-up roof. Tilt does increase the output though.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Way better off than you were before.
Old___Slow
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Rbertalotto wrote:
I couldn't resist. I ordered the 120watt system from Solar Boulevard.

$264 with free shipping. Will be here in a few days. Should be fun installing it.

Congrats,

Great outfit with nice folks. I have a new 120w/24v Cynergy panel from them, so perhaps we will share notes. And welsome to my new found Solar world on RV.Net, Fine bunch, these guys. Some HiTech, some like me. Must say, I know for sure, help is here, just for the asking. Free.

O&S
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2013
Rbertalotto wrote:
I couldn't resist. I ordered the 120watt system from Solar Boulevard.

$264 with free shipping. Will be here in a few days. Should be fun installing it.

Great!!!! I was hoping you were going to do it. Looking forward to your write up and pics!!!! :C
westend
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
I built a 4-way tilting mechanism for a 235w module. A couple of other guys on the Forum led the way for me, Fire Instructor was one helpful guy. I can't seem to get the Forum search function to work for me but here's a picture:

Since I have an aluminum roof and wanted durability, I used three u-channels that serve as the basic mounts. Those are screwed and glued to the roof with 2" screws into the trusses. The center u-channel is unused for two mounting directions. The module rotates on 1/4" pins in two directions and is hinged to an aluminum angle piece that rotates in the other two directions. For hinges, I used stainless steel butt hinges. The struts are heavy wall aluminum box, 1" x 1/2", IIRC.

If I was going to do it again, I'd forgo the hinged direction and only use two directions. It is easy to orient my TT at home for storage and the module laid flat produces enough power for my needs, presently.

Edit: BTW, I bought the panel from Solar Blvd. They are good folks to work with. Somehow, the junction-> MC4 cables weren't included and a call to them had a pair of cables in my hand in a couple of days. I thought that spoke miles about their CS.
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2013
You will not be disappointed with 120W even if mounted flat. With little care and 200 AH battery bank it is possible to stay without a generator on cloudy days. Reduce the laptop time.

Top guns have said what they had to, you should've listened though. 40ft cable - what if you need 41ft? And mysterious 20A controller. Too late for remorse. Now you have to figure out how to attach it to your roof. Included Z-brackets aren't much useful, L-brackets are preferable for flat mounting (and allow one-axle tilt). Depending on the roof material you might also have to find hardware other than included screws.
mena661
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Rbertalotto wrote:
I couldn't resist. I ordered the 120watt system from Solar Boulevard.

$264 with free shipping. Will be here in a few days. Should be fun installing it.
Sweet!! Let us know when you get it installed.
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
I couldn't resist. I ordered the 120watt system from Solar Boulevard.

$264 with free shipping. Will be here in a few days. Should be fun installing it.

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Let's Try This Again.Why wdn't I buy this Solar Kit for $264

28 Replies

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