Opinion on solar panel kit wanted
I received a notice of this solar panel kit. It seemed like a good deal here in the northeast. 300 watts for $500 including S&H. All opinions welcome.
Forum Discussion
Don't know where BFL got his 130 in that formula, but 19A total Isc is really too close to the rated 20A PWM limit. For 300W array I would go for 25A controller.
The price - to me this kit has only one useful item: 2*150w panel. Possibly, 2*MC4 Y-connectors, they are expensive but you only need them if you run a parallel without a roof junction box. Everything else is either wrong item or wrong quantity. 40ft #10 wire is too short for on-rig installations, this is mere 20ft one way run. Z-brackets are a cr-p. Controller is too weak for this setup. And yes, there was a negative feedback on Phocos 30 - which in itself doesn't mean much, but the brand is not popular in RV.
PS: one more thing. Panels under 200w are usually expensive per watt. If you rig allows a single 24v nominal panel 250-300W (i.e. Vmp ~30), this would be cheaper in terms of panels, but then you need MPPT controller which is both good and bad news.
20A Eco does have its shortcomings though is enough for a single 300W or 2*150 parallel. Unless you camp high in the mountains and always tilt and aim it perfectly, after all the losses you will never get more than 240W out of 300W panel, i.e. 18A @ 13V. Morning sun is weak, not much Imp, and if you take care to keep the overnight draw within you average daily energy harvest and don't discharge below SOC 75-80, by noon your batts are higher than 13V so they don't need much current.
The price - to me this kit has only one useful item: 2*150w panel. Possibly, 2*MC4 Y-connectors, they are expensive but you only need them if you run a parallel without a roof junction box. Everything else is either wrong item or wrong quantity. 40ft #10 wire is too short for on-rig installations, this is mere 20ft one way run. Z-brackets are a cr-p. Controller is too weak for this setup. And yes, there was a negative feedback on Phocos 30 - which in itself doesn't mean much, but the brand is not popular in RV.
PS: one more thing. Panels under 200w are usually expensive per watt. If you rig allows a single 24v nominal panel 250-300W (i.e. Vmp ~30), this would be cheaper in terms of panels, but then you need MPPT controller which is both good and bad news.
20A Eco does have its shortcomings though is enough for a single 300W or 2*150 parallel. Unless you camp high in the mountains and always tilt and aim it perfectly, after all the losses you will never get more than 240W out of 300W panel, i.e. 18A @ 13V. Morning sun is weak, not much Imp, and if you take care to keep the overnight draw within you average daily energy harvest and don't discharge below SOC 75-80, by noon your batts are higher than 13V so they don't need much current.
