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Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
#568839 June 16th 2012 12:05 am
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These are 12 volt panels.

The benefits of 12 volt nominally rated panels are that the charge controller does not have to be an MPPT type, and therefor is significantly cheaper.

If one were really thrifty, one could put alligator clips on the leads from this panel directly on the battery(s) as long as the battery(s) are not already full or nearly so. Disconnect it at night too.

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Pane...tt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html



I have 200 watts mounted on my roof, but perhaps a single 100 watt portable panel that could be set up in the sun at an Evant is of interest to some.

Last edited by wrcsixeight; June 16th 2012 12:06 am. Reason: fix link
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Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568850 June 16th 2012 1:21 am
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68 if I got one of those could I use my Blue Sea Charging Relay to run the panel to and let it shut down the panel ?

http://bluesea.com/category/78/79/productline/overview/387


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568892 June 16th 2012 9:41 am
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No, that is a battery isolator.

A solar charge controller is a completely different animal.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&am...=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_9j27t1g4oj_b

The 10 amp model will easily cover one panel but 2 100 watt panels will exceed 10 amps.


If you were to put alligator clips on the panel's leads, and attach it to your engine battery, once the voltage rises above 13.7, it will connect the house batteries into the charging circuit.

But since it is a dual sense isolator, it would connect the engine battery if it were connected directly to the house batteries.

But for 43$, just get the PWM charge controller and then you do not have to worry about overcharging, or the panel discharging the battery at night

Last edited by wrcsixeight; June 16th 2012 9:47 am.
Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568898 June 16th 2012 10:36 am
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Thanks....the only dumb question is the one I dont ask...

Im going to get a 100 w panel and controller...thank you for the information....

Last edited by frscke1; June 16th 2012 10:37 am.

SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568901 June 16th 2012 10:55 am
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Cool. Feel free to ask any other solar related questions.

Are you planning on a roof mount, or portable panel you pull out and set up when needed?

Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568939 June 16th 2012 2:21 pm
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A pull out....If I went the roof model how long would a roof panel last in the weather (not sun) do they corrode, how weather proof are they ? How can they be mounted without drilling holes in the lid ? pinch the drip rail ? When not recharging the batts do they still produce power and where does it go ?


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568955 June 16th 2012 4:38 pm
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Panel frames are anodized aluminum so they do not corrode.

Most are rated for 1 inch hail at 50 mph, but I think a 1 inch ice ball would be falling faster than 50 mph.

The biggest danger to panel integrity when mounted is kids and footballs, or low hanging branches.

3M VHB ( very high bond) double sided tape is used by many over on RV.net by those who did not want to drill holes in the roof. A mount using the roof gutters is a good idea.

Batteries can always take a little power, and what they cant, the charge controller dissipates the extra power as heat. But the panel should be hooked to something, not just placed in the sun and disconnected from the battery totally. Besides physical damage, that is the worst thing you can do to a panel.

The portable panel is at risk of thieves and damage by wind or just transporting it. The portable panel is nice if you can park in the shade and put the panel in the sun, and re arrange it a few time a day to aim it at the sun. Long distances of wire need to be thicker wire, like 8 AWG for 25 feet, for minimal voltage drop and maximum efficiency.

The charge controller should always be as close the batteries as possible using as big a wire as will fit in the terminals.

A quick disconnect like Anderson Powerpole connectors would be nice for a portable panel

Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568968 June 16th 2012 5:33 pm
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Pros & cons for both ways...time to think



thank you again and again

Last edited by frscke1; June 16th 2012 5:34 pm.

SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Inexpensive Solar. 100 watts 140$
wrcsixeight #568969 June 16th 2012 5:36 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 559
Offline
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Posts: 18,286
Likes: 559
I guess for a roof mount even with power tape to hold it I will still need the drill a hole for the power cords from the panel...


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
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