solar panel choice

Which one is programmable for anything imaginable for that price? Link?

Jim

Quote:
isnt specific about controller but if the quality of the other stuff is bad then so might the controller be. i have no idea if this stuff is junk or not
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Is there any "junk" out there ? Every panel I've seen, or bought, from china or the states, has the same 25 yr warranty as the most expensive I've seen The china controllers, not sure about warranty, but they sure work good at $10 to $12 each. I first bought a $10 10 amp (programable for anything imaginable) for 1 panel, then bought a $12 15 amp for 2 panels.And if I ever thought I didn't trust them, I'll buy another,.....then I'll have 2 spares !

My 2 100 watt panels were $1.50/watt, incl free shipping to my door.
I learned 1 thing real quick, you don't need expensive name brand stuff to work great,.....and get the same warranty.
The 2 controllers were $22 w/ free shipping straight from China.

SunElec.com can beat those prices by a longshot.

I made my own brackets with 6" long 2" angle aluminum from Home Depot. Drill 3 holes 3/16" in the side that will go on the roof, and a 5/16" hole into the side that will go into the solar panel mounting frame for a 1/4-20 bolt. Mount it to the roof with lots of rubber roof sealant, and 3- #10 wood screws.

UV direct burial wire is also at Home Depot, get #10 wire. I think they might sell a 25' roll, you only require it outside, from the panel to the controller. From there, any type of #8 wire would work better, and not being exposed to the sun can be regular building wire.

If you buy a 12 volt nominal panel, you can use a lower cost PWM controller, and save a lot on the overall cost of the project. Might as well start with a 200 - 350 watt system, then no need to expand it later.

My E-meter says that the CO meter and propane detector and refrigerator use about 1.2 amps per hour X 24 hours a day, so about 35 AH daily, or about what 1 of my 120 watt panels can produce in a day. The lights and other things add to this load, so it would take about 200 watts and not running many lights to meet the daily needs. Hoever if you are only camping 3 nights, you should be able to camp fine with the energy in the battery at the start of the weekend + the new solar power to have battery that still functions at the end of day 3 without needing to run a generator. Yet the battery will be nearly dead at the beginning of day 3 if you needed the furnace much.

300 watts will make sure it is full by the end of each day, and offer 10 days in fairly sunny, but sometimes shaded conditions to keep the battery nearly full each day. Overcast days might still be a small problem though.

I have a 415 rated watt system. It will never make the rated watts, even with the MPPT controller that I have. You get more amperage by being at a higher elevation (closer to the sun and it is brighter) and when it is cooler outside.

I don't have to worry so much about parking in the sun, the solar system shades about 30% of my roof surface.

Fred.

Tak, the thing about RV solar is that it needs to be tailored to the user, every installation should be custom. I see a lot of posts on this Forum and elsewhere where the owners are looking for advice because there "kit system" isn't providing what they need.

The absolute first step for solar RV is doing an energy audit to find out how many amp hours are used daily and how the owner wants solar to reharge for that use. Here is a spreadsheet used to determine energy use. After the use is calculated and the purpose is defined (i.e. "I want my solar panel to charge my batteries while in storage" or "I want enough power to recharge my batteries for my daily use"), system size can be outlined.

The good news is that solar modules are at an all-time low price and can be had inexpensively. Depending on your needs, a controller can be fitted for your present and future use. Give us a bit more information on what you have for batteries and RV, how you camp, and what you want solar to do.

hmknightnc wrote:
Your web addresses only show the panels which look fine but don't include a description of the controller. Those prices are kind of high. You should be able to get solar panels, name brand controller, and misc hardware for around $2.50/watt. I have 265 watt solar with a morningstar prostar controller and all hardware for right at $500.

A good controller (true PWM with 4 stage charging) is key to getting all of the available power out of the 12volt panels and keep your batteries in good shape.

isnt specific about controller but if the quality of the other stuff is bad then so might the controller be. i have no idea if this stuff is junk or not...
http://www3.telus.net/public/tps.x/Powerplus.htm

BFL13 wrote:
Don't pay $400!!!

This guy sells 150w panels for $162 tax included and delivers to the Mainland. You need a controller so that could be $39 for a 20amp.

http://www.windturbine.ca/sun_panels.html

There is another guy in Langley somewhere with similar prices on craigslist usually.

You will expand your array, so you need more controller amps depending how big the array will be in "expected amps" A 30a controller is about $130. I use two 20 amp controllers at total cost of 39 x 2 but there are several ways to go on that. Takes a bit of figuring out. Best thing is get a 'starter" controller for under $50 till your have a real plan.

so stay away from battery world?

Your web addresses only show the panels which look fine but don't include a description of the controller. Those prices are kind of high. You should be able to get solar panels, name brand controller, and misc hardware for around $2.50/watt. I have 265 watt solar with a morningstar prostar controller and all hardware for right at $500.

A good controller (true PWM with 4 stage charging) is key to getting all of the available power out of the 12volt panels and keep your batteries in good shape.

Don't pay $400!!!

This guy sells 150w panels for $162 tax included and delivers to the Mainland. You need a controller so that could be $39 for a 20amp.

http://www.windturbine.ca/sun_panels.html

There is another guy in Langley somewhere with similar prices on craigslist usually.

You will expand your array, so you need more controller amps depending how big the array will be in "expected amps" A 30a controller is about $130. I use two 20 amp controllers at total cost of 39 x 2 but there are several ways to go on that. Takes a bit of figuring out. Best thing is get a 'starter" controller for under $50 till your have a real plan.