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Author Topic: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels  (Read 6779 times)

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Offline NatGav

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OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« on: March 16, 2012, 11:02:51 AM »
Hey Guys,
I'm in the process of getting some solar panels.
Found these on ebay (evilbay)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-G-P-MONO-CRYSTALLINE-PORTABLE-FOLDING-180W-SOLAR-PANEL-CAMPING-CARAVAN-/270910976326?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item3f138d7146#ht_4963wt_1192

Just looking for some thoughts around this item. I know its compatible with our stuff.

We are running a 105AMP deep cycle dual system battery (in the CT and potentially getting another battery) charging through an Anderson plug set up....We got a roc solid regulator and a red arc inverter 350W just for a couple of 240v items. Mainly using the battery for our ARB 60Litre fridge, LED lights ect....Hopefully will be seeing lots of sun on our 12 month adventure around Australia. 
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Offline Maîneÿ . . .

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2012, 11:10:29 AM »
Quote from: NatGav on March 16, 2012, 11:02:51 AM
Hey Guys,
I'm in the process of getting some solar panels.
Found these on ebay (evilbay)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-G-P-MONO-CRYSTALLINE-PORTABLE-FOLDING-180W-SOLAR-PANEL-CAMPING-CARAVAN-/270910976326?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item3f138d7146#ht_4963wt_1192

Just looking for some thoughts around this item. I know its compatible with our stuff.
 


Look again at the tech specs  ;D

Max Power Current:   =  2.5 Amps

Now that is just gotta be wrong :-*

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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2012, 11:36:56 AM »
Hey Mainey - what should be more like, look at some others should it be more around the 7AMPs power current?
On all of their panels it just says 2.5 AMP.
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2012, 11:42:27 AM »
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Offline sablesoft

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2012, 11:44:51 AM »
Quote from: NatGav on March 16, 2012, 11:02:51 AM
Hey Guys,
I'm in the process of getting some solar panels.
Found these on ebay (evilbay)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-G-P-MONO-CRYSTALLINE-PORTABLE-FOLDING-180W-SOLAR-PANEL-CAMPING-CARAVAN-/270910976326?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item3f138d7146#ht_4963wt_1192

Just looking for some thoughts around this item. I know its compatible with our stuff.

We are running a 105AMP deep cycle dual system battery (in the CT and potentially getting another battery) charging through an Anderson plug set up....We got a roc solid regulator and a red arc inverter 350W just for a couple of 240v items. Mainly using the battery for our ARB 60Litre fridge, LED lights ect....Hopefully will be seeing lots of sun on our 12 month adventure around Australia.


Looks like a 24 Volt setup


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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2012, 11:53:12 AM »
Sablesoft, what makes you say that????
I though it said Connected to the correct battery unit, they power anything you could ever need to while camping?
Interested to understand why.
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Offline Maîneÿ . . .

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2012, 12:04:00 PM »
Quote from: NatGav on March 16, 2012, 11:36:56 AM
Hey Mainey - what should be more like, look at some others should it be more around the 7AMPs power current?
On all of their panels it just says 2.5 AMP.

Look at the photo they put there, it is a Multi-crystalline cell panel - not a Polly cell :'(
The other (Mono) looks more like a Polly cell

is so much incorrect information there is a joke :angel:

My 203 Watt produces 12 Amps max (REALISTIC) so I would expect 180 Watt to be able to exceed 9 Watts realistically.
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Offline Bird

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2012, 12:24:40 PM »
try here www.solarsteve1950.com/

its not cheap ebay rubbish, but is well proven that it will work, and comes with unbeatable aftersales service
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Offline johnyd

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2012, 12:26:18 PM »
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Offline wholehog

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OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2012, 12:27:54 PM »
Quote from: Lost on March 16, 2012, 12:24:40 PM
try here www.solarsteve1950.com/

its not cheap ebay rubbish, but is well proven that it will work, and comes with unbeatable aftersales service

X2....
My 200 watt was doing about 6 to 8 watts on a hot but cloud covered day earlier this week
« Last Edit: March 16, 2012, 12:30:38 PM by wholehog »
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2012, 12:55:54 PM »
Hey Lost - I have heard amazing things about steve's solar panels, but i  really wanted something that folds as we are travelling for 12 months, with a ute and two dogs we need portable stuff....

Johnyd89 really like that option. I look into that too
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Offline apsilon

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2012, 12:58:02 PM »
Quote from: Maîneÿ . . . on March 16, 2012, 11:10:29 AM
Look again at the tech specs  ;D

Max Power Current:   =  2.5 Amps

Now that is just gotta be wrong :-*

I've been looking at that seller this week. I agree the 2.5a has to be wrong. I questioned them on it and they said "all the specs are on the page". So I questioned them again making sure I was clear that I was asking if the specs on the page are correct. No reply. Seems like a dodgy seller or at least dodgy units. The other thing that worries me is the max output. I was looking at a 120w unit but max output was shown as 60w. I questioned that at the same time as the amps.
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2012, 01:14:47 PM »
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Offline Bird

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2012, 01:24:07 PM »
Quote from: NatGav on March 16, 2012, 12:55:54 PM
Hey Lost - I have heard amazing things about steve's solar panels, but i  really wanted something that folds as we are travelling for 12 months, with a ute and two dogs we need portable stuff....

Like these folding ones
http://www.solarsteve1950.com/SolarKit.html


Have you looked elsewhere apart from on ebay?
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2012, 01:32:09 PM »
Hey Lost, wow... i didn't see that on this website....sorry. i have had a little look around.
Steve might be the way to go judging by this website...I might give him a call.
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2012, 02:12:37 PM »
JUST HAD A GREAT CHAT TO STEVE>>>>
Thanks lost...
Thinking i might go a 200W folding solar panel which he hasn't got on his website.....Same weight and size as the 160W.
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Offline Kit_e_kat9

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2012, 03:28:25 PM »
Quote from: Lost on March 16, 2012, 12:24:40 PM
try here www.solarsteve1950.com/

its not cheap ebay rubbish, but is well proven that it will work, and comes with unbeatable aftersales service


x 2 Gazillion!  Very happy with my purchases. 

On my blog you can see what one panel (folding of course) daily puts into my system each time we stop somewhere.  Keep in mind we aren't there ALL day and we are nearly topped up when we leave.  IE:  Very little out going energy.  Our first trip with the fridge and no panels we got down to 12.4 on the meter ... which equalls 75% or so.  We mostly do overnighters and generally take 1 of our 120W folding panels to service our 2 105AH AGMs.  We run 1 Evakool 65L fridge / freezer (yes we use the freezer), we run strip lights, internal lights, a water pump but not much else usually ... although I'm only too happy to plug in my laptop to play a movie or download photos ... but so far we rarely do this.  I have been known to use my Waeco Can Invertor to charge camera batteries as we drive to our destination though.

Kit_e
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2012, 02:57:37 PM »
Have gone with Steve1950.
200W fold-able solar panels.
Thanks everyone for your very helpful ideas and tips.

Should pick it up in April and hopefully everything will work perfectly for the trip

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Offline Ruffstuff

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2012, 08:58:31 AM »
Another vote for Steve, Great product & brilliant service & advice.
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Offline SteveandViv

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2012, 09:19:17 AM »
Quote from: NatGav on March 16, 2012, 12:55:54 PM
Hey Lost - I have heard amazing things about steve's solar panels, but i  really wanted something that folds as we are travelling for 12 months, with a ute and two dogs we need portable stuff....

Johnyd89 really like that option. I look into that too

My 100 from Steve folds. I'm sure he still has folding panels. Frostd has the 120 version as well. Both great units
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #20 on: April 05, 2012, 08:02:42 AM »
Thanks everyone. Picked up my panel yesterday. Looks great and he is such a great bloke. really happy. Now to find someone in melb to help with our wiring...and electrical set up....any other recommendations?
Thanks again my swag friends...photos to follow today.

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Offline scoot

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #21 on: April 06, 2012, 09:27:03 AM »
Glen (041 834 9237 has a mobile service in the Melbourne area and knows his 12v. Does installations for caravans and camper trailers.

Scoot
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Offline NatGav

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Re: OPTIONS NEEDED - Solar Panels
« Reply #22 on: April 10, 2012, 09:48:13 PM »
Thanks scoot. I'll give him a buzz this week and see if he comes out to kinglake...thanks heaps

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