I wonder if some of you folks who understand solar power, controllers, and the like would mind having a look at the following specs. I'm going to get a 50 watt solar panel (& controller, etc.) for the roof of my truck camper to keep one 12 volt battery topped up at sites with no shore power. But I don't want to affix it up there permanently. I'll keep it inside and only deploy it, if and when required.On Amazon, there is a flexible one, quite a bit lighter and easier to carry up the ladder, rather than a metal framed glass panel. I worry that with it, I'll lose performance; I don't understand the specs. Here they are:Glass panel / metal frame -- approx. 10 pounds -- specsFlexible panel -- approx. 3 pounds -- specsThe flexible panel is $20 more -- is it's performance vs the glass/metal panel significantly less? Any other concerns about the flex panel versus the glass/metal?Thanks...

50w isn't going to make much of a dent.This will work much better and still small enough to be able to use it like you want. Grab it now before the sale ends!!!!http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/noma-75-watt-crystalline-solar-panel-0112033p.html#srpAlso get their $29 controller--It will do the job. I used to put a rope to the frame of my panel and haul it up to the camper roof and lower it down with the rope. No need to go up the ladder with the panel in one hand :) (Clip onto frame mounting hole and rope through the clip)In fact to make a useful amount, you could get two of those while on sale and have 150w. Just have to use the rope twice.

Electrically they are pretty much identical. If the flexible one is an amorphous technology (and I'm pretty sure it is) then it's output will be less effected by shading. If you park under trees a lot this might matter. I don't see you losing any power by going with the flexible one.

KD4UPL wrote:If the flexible one is an amorphous technology (and I'm pretty sure it is) then it's output will be less effected by shading.Authoritative citation needed.

Fifty solar watts isn’t worth your trouble. Solar is nearly “install it and forget it” unless you insist on “I'll keep it inside and only deploy it, if and when required.” Why keep it inside?

Question about solar panel specs | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2018
Fifty solar watts isn’t worth your trouble. Solar is nearly “install it and forget it” unless you insist on “I'll keep it inside and only deploy it, if and when required.” Why keep it inside?
mike-s
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
KD4UPL wrote:
If the flexible one is an amorphous technology (and I'm pretty sure it is) then it's output will be less effected by shading.
Authoritative citation needed.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2018
Electrically they are pretty much identical. If the flexible one is an amorphous technology (and I'm pretty sure it is) then it's output will be less effected by shading. If you park under trees a lot this might matter.
I don't see you losing any power by going with the flexible one.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2018
50w isn't going to make much of a dent.

This will work much better and still small enough to be able to use it like you want. Grab it now before the sale ends!!!!

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/noma-75-watt-crystalline-solar-panel-0112033p.html#srp

Also get their $29 controller--It will do the job.

I used to put a rope to the frame of my panel and haul it up to the camper roof and lower it down with the rope. No need to go up the ladder with the panel in one hand :) (Clip onto frame mounting hole and rope through the clip)

In fact to make a useful amount, you could get two of those while on sale and have 150w. Just have to use the rope twice.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2018
They're essentially identical.

Forum Discussion

Question about solar panel specs

15 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Another solar question.

Solar questions

solar question

Solar question

Solar Questions