Replacing an OEM 10 watt solar panel
I have a OEM 10 watt solar trickle charger on my MoHo, the panel is not registering any output and has a big crack in the glass. I want to replace the panel and finding anything around 10 watts that would mount using the same brackets is near impossible. I am also aware that a 10 watt panel may not even keep up with parasitic draw, I am not worried about that, I’m not going solar on this rig, ever.
HFT has a new 25 watt panel advertised for $55 but it isn’t listed in the catalog, so I have no idea what is included with the panel or the size. It looks about the same size as the panel that is up there now, but who knows. So I thought that I would Google 25 watt panels and see what is available and found several, one in particular is close in size and the panel is about $15.00 cheaper than HFT. There are several controllers listed too, the most common size listed is 20 amp but the panel is only going to put out a little over 2 amps. Should I go ahead with a 20 amp or is 3 to 5 amps good? There isn’t much difference in price. Remember I’m not going to expand, ever. All I want to do is replace the broken panel I have now and I don’t know if there is a controller in the circuit now, I assume not, but…
The 25 watt panel and the 20 amp controller will run about $65.00, a OEM replacement panel will run way more than that.
Any help would be appreciated and remember, I will never expand over 25 Watt. Ever!
HFT has a new 25 watt panel advertised for $55 but it isn’t listed in the catalog, so I have no idea what is included with the panel or the size. It looks about the same size as the panel that is up there now, but who knows. So I thought that I would Google 25 watt panels and see what is available and found several, one in particular is close in size and the panel is about $15.00 cheaper than HFT. There are several controllers listed too, the most common size listed is 20 amp but the panel is only going to put out a little over 2 amps. Should I go ahead with a 20 amp or is 3 to 5 amps good? There isn’t much difference in price. Remember I’m not going to expand, ever. All I want to do is replace the broken panel I have now and I don’t know if there is a controller in the circuit now, I assume not, but…
The 25 watt panel and the 20 amp controller will run about $65.00, a OEM replacement panel will run way more than that.
Any help would be appreciated and remember, I will never expand over 25 Watt. Ever!
