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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Goose on November 20, 2014, 02:19:29 PM

Title: Solar kits
Post by: Goose on November 20, 2014, 02:19:29 PM

I know its been asked before, but i'm asking it again as the market seems to change fairly quickly.

I wish to buy a camping solar kit to charge 260Ah of AGM batteries in my camper. I believe I need around 160W and i don't have any existing dc-dc charger or regulator in my camper. Some queries i have:

• eBay stock seems to be half the price of other Aus online stores, is the quality and outage comparable? ie eBay sellers offer 160W kits for about $280 but an equivalent sized kit from an Australian store is double that price. Who is having a lend here? They all claim to have the *best* panels and i know this can't be true as their kits look almost identical.
• Should i get a stock regulator that comes included with a $250 - $300 eBay kit, or buy a decent regular separately and just buy panels? ie are the stock regulators any good?
• Does anyone recommend any specials or a reliable eBay sellers to buy from at the moment?

Goose.

Title: Re: Solar kits
Post by: evolution on November 20, 2014, 07:20:31 PM

I cant really say for any ebay panels,
However these are the ones that I use, A little expensive about $599 retail
http://korrlighting.com.au/solar-165w.html (http://korrlighting.com.au/solar-165w.html) but if you haggle a bit, it could be cheaper.
I love them, Im hoping to get another set soon, as it really does work well. I see around 8amp continuous output.

Cheers
Evo

Title: Re: Solar kits
Post by: thommo19 on November 20, 2014, 07:24:20 PM

If you want good panels at a good price with good performance ,contact a forum member jetcrew.
Jeff

Title: Re: Solar kits
Post by: Kris on November 20, 2014, 07:28:14 PM

I purchased a solar kit from Bright Light Auto parts through ebay cheap, and it came with a reg similar to this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-10-15-20A-LED-Solar-Battery-Regulator-Charge-Controller-12V-24V-Auto-Switch-FB-/181489013833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&var=&hash=item2a41969449 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-10-15-20A-LED-Solar-Battery-Regulator-Charge-Controller-12V-24V-Auto-Switch-FB-/181489013833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&var=&hash=item2a41969449). Was useless, but figured it would be, so had factored in replacing the reg in my purchase figures. Got a beauty from Mandrake and haven't looked back.

Title: Re: Solar kits
Post by: richee on November 20, 2014, 07:55:04 PM

Quote from: thommo19 on November 20, 2014, 07:24:20 PM

If you want good panels at a good price with good performance ,contact a forum member jetcrew.
Jeff

X2. Jetcrew is your man. No affiliation just a happy customer.

Title: Re: Solar kits
Post by: Jakster1 on November 20, 2014, 09:31:15 PM

http://www.antenergy.com.au/index.php/products/12v-solar-panels-agm-battery-charing-caravan-camping/antenergy-solar-bosch-cells-monocrystalline-12v-170w-folding-solar-portable-panel-kit.html (http://www.antenergy.com.au/index.php/products/12v-solar-panels-agm-battery-charing-caravan-camping/antenergy-solar-bosch-cells-monocrystalline-12v-170w-folding-solar-portable-panel-kit.html)

I just bought this one and it seems like good quality and well built using bosch panels. i Haven't had a chance to test it yet but ill get the multimeter out on the weekend if I get time.

I hear a lot of story's about dodgy cheap eBay panels that are busted before they even get delivered.

Title: Re: Solar kits
Post by: bfabrian on December 11, 2014, 07:59:51 PM

I have purchased a rich solar 140w folding panels for about $300 ?.
They charge 2 x 110ah batteries.  We were running 2 fridges plus LED stip lights and a CD/radio
Still had full batteries at end of week