Portable Solar Panels

I know these are not portable kits per say but the prices are coming down.

Here is a complete 200w kits for $299.99 shipped.

click

and another for $309

click

I don't know anything about the controller etc. but it's getting cheaper to play with solar.

Don't get hyped just yet ! BLM will be along to tell us how both our systems are not putting out what they should.

RJsfishin wrote:
I have 2 panels in parallel, 1 90 watt, and 1 100 watt, and I have the same controller as the one above, the 15 amp model. I have seen 10.8 amps many times, and peek at 11 amps a couple times. This shown on a digital ammeter w/ 50 amp shunt, placed between the controller and the batteries.
When the controller led display goes into blinking mode, it is entering float mode, and 100% soc.

So, with your numbers, not knowing the spec of your panels for VSC and ISC Amps... 5.4 Amps is pretty good per 100 watts, and 5.5 Amps per 100 watts is outstanding.... 5.5 x 1.2 = 6.6 Amps. I can't complain then, at 6.32 Amps, with it being late October and the sun being kind of low on the sky with not a lot of ambient light from the sky also, with the sun somewhat low on the horizon. Guess I am right in the ballpark for what I should anticipate/expect, for amps, when it comes to PWM control chargers. Actually, for 120W, I think these 120 w portable suitcase panels from Solar Blvd are pretty damn efficient in this set up. 5 or 6 hours should be plenty of charging time, enough to go easy on the generator.. use it first thing in the morning, then crank it on again the last hour before bed time.

bdosborn wrote:

bdosborn wrote:

The 80 watt panel in the picture was consistantly putting out 4.5 amps at 14.4V (~65 watts). We were at 5,000 ft and it was around 85F. I had it paralleled with the shaded roof top panels, which probably didn't help the performance any.

Bruce

Thanks, Bruce, good data to know. Seems that panels that can push the amps when using PWM at the expense of a little lower Voltage of 16.5 to 17V Vsc are to be favored a bit if using PWM charging methods. Voltage is plenty, just want to get the amps up there for higher efficiency.

This RV watt meter is a real eye opener for getting you the straight scoop on panel output from your system, if under 100 amps and 60v.
I assume it's a shunt of sorts, and taking a little bit off the batteries input. I bought the $14.98 model.

RC Watt meter

bdosborn wrote:

The 80 watt panel in the picture was consistantly putting out 4.5 amps at 14.4V (~65 watts). We were at 5,000 ft and it was around 85F. I had it paralleled with the shaded roof top panels, which probably didn't help the performance any.

Bruce

I have 2 panels in parallel, 1 90 watt, and 1 100 watt, and I have the same controller as the one above, the 15 amp model. I have seen 10.8 amps many times, and peek at 11 amps a couple times. This shown on a digital ammeter w/ 50 amp shunt, placed between the controller and the batteries.
When the controller led display goes into blinking mode, it is entering float mode, and 100% soc.

Well, 10 feet of 12 gauge wire, an RC meter good to 0-60V and 0-100 Amps in line, should not restrict things too much when at most, 7 amps and 14.4 volts is being produced. I'll know a bit more, once the fog burns off this morning.

Don't think my battery is anywhere near at 50% charge... need to go camping to perform some experiments.

Edit: Well, I ran the battery down a bit with all the lights on for about 15 minutes, and this is what ended up showing on the panel around 12:45 pm... rated at Imax of 6.98 amps, and the run was 7 feet of 12 gauge wire. 120 Watt foldable model.

Date, of course, is 10-25-13 and I'm at 34* North. for latitude. Light haze in the sky from some onshore flow and fog that got burned off. I hope it will do better up in West Yellowstone area the last 2 weeks of June, hopefully more amps show up, although at that time of year, the night hours and lights on are fewer than in winter.



I'm not sure, but I believe this is the newest style of mounting of the PWM to get it off the back of the panel and in a cooler location. Ambient air temp was about 80F today.

NinerBikes wrote:
And how do you know, voltage wise and amp wise, when your battery is 100% topped off with a PWM charger run off a solar panel?

When it goes to into float voltage it should be near 100%, alternatively you'll need to decipher the lights on the controller it you have any.

Ninerbikes wrote:
For those that have gone with simple charging panels or with a PWM Controller for their 12V solar panels, what kind of amps, and what kind of voltages do you see with the battery charging up from the solar panels. And how do you know, voltage wise and amp wise, when your battery is 100% topped off with a PWM charger run off a solar panel?

I'm currently running a 120 watt portable solar panel.. about 7 amps at 18.1 V at max V and max amp... battery is a group 24 DC with about 75 AH rated at 20 hours, closer to 100 hou at 1 amp/hour. Something tells me I should keep my usage under 37.5 amps for the whole evening and night, with all parasitic and normal use losss.

The output power values you listed are the mfg.'s ratings, correct? You will probably never see that output in real-world use. The controller will also limit the power harvested, they all have some loss.

The amount of charge needed will depend on what the SOC is of the battery when starting charge. 50% SOC is the bellwether discharge mark, less discharge will increase the number of cycles in the battery's life.

To accurately measure charge in the battery, you'll need either a hydrometer, a battery monitor, or a meter. If you have all three, you'll get darn close.

One observation: having more battery capacity is better, you can get less stingy with use and you'll be able to run more devices in the future.

For those that have gone with simple charging panels or with a PWM Controller for their 12V solar panels, what kind of amps, and what kind of voltages do you see with the battery charging up from the solar panels. And how do you know, voltage wise and amp wise, when your battery is 100% topped off with a PWM charger run off a solar panel?

I'm currently running a 120 watt portable solar panel.. about 7 amps at 18.1 V at max V and max amp... battery is a group 24 DC with about 75 AH rated at 20 hours, closer to 100 hou at 1 amp/hour. Something tells me I should keep my usage under 37.5 amps for the whole evening and night, with all parasitic and normal use losss.