Whats the best solar panel to get ?

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

Looking at getting some solar panels for camping and noticed there are a few types you can get.
Most are selling Mono-Crystalline line but i seen this on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251801381...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT , but dont know if they are any good.
So does any one on here know much about these ?

[MacroP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MacroP]

In the domestic solar scene, Sunpower are certainly a premium product. If they are genuine cells than that portable solar setup is good value.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I run these:

http://itechworld.com.au/collections...l-fast-postage

http://itechworld.com.au/collections...0-watt-plastic

A good quality panel should deliver the grunt you need to top up batteries. The 200w pushes up to 10 amps and the flex panel up to 6.7 amps. I run the flexi up on my roof rack. They don't quote an amp rating for the panel you have listed so check it before you buy. All panels are not created equal.

Also, check out the size. The 200w is about 1200 x 600 x 100mm folded so it will take up some space.

[MacroP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MacroP]

It looks like the second panel that Bushbasher listed has Sunpower cells too. Sunpower's claim to fame is their back wiring hence the overall higher panel efficiency.

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

Thanks guys.
have sent of a question asking about max current so will wait and see.

[oceanracer Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanracer]

I use these, the 120 w, the 180 w are new


http://www.projecta.com.au/Products/...SolarPanelKits

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Sunpower, Grape solar, Projecta etc.

[jika Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jika]

I'm still running a set of 80w Blue Apple panels, purchased in 2010 still going strong

[brundah01 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brundah01]

I bought this 120W 1200 x 560mm 10Kgs panel to integrate with Redarc BCDC 1225LV. Would have preferred bigger but this fitted with my roof rack mounted tent pod dimensions - works fine for fridge & a strip LED lights when camping:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-120W-...item25a40312fe

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

I use these, the 120 w, the 180 w are new


http://www.projecta.com.au/Products/...SolarPanelKits

Wow those prices are a bit steep for me.
would be great because of the way they pack up though

[oceanracer Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanracer]

Yes there a bit expensive. Anaconda sell them and look for a sale day. They fold up so small that alone makes them better. Still not as expensive as the redarc

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

I bought some eBay cheapies. The thing to note is eBay panels often run low volts and fake controllers.

I bought what I thought was a 120w panel (2x60w hinged) with MPPT controller for $190.

I got scammed, the controller was just some LED lights, the panels are fine but a bit gutless in 12v guise, which was funny because you never run a (real) MPPT in 12v, always more (24, 48v etc).

So I junked the plastic box (controller) and wires the panels in series (24v) and bought a fast MPPT (victron 15A MPPT $105 eBay), problem solved.

Before I was getting around 2-4Amps out of the panel, now I am getting 6-8Amps steady all day. All up spent less than $300.

Lessons learned:
Cheap panels have shitty 12v output
If thy come with a controller they are mostly PWM if they are over $300
If they claim a MPPT controller, expect to pay min $400 for panels.
A real MPPT costs at least $100+ on top of the panel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I've bought three separate 180w panels and 2 large batteries from antenergy on ebay over the past 6 years. The panels are all high quality Bosch units that meet spec. Excellent service and backup and it looks like they have some even better latest spec panels for around $200.

My mates and I have bought several of these mppt controllers over the past few years.
http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/25A-300W-MPPT-solar-charge-controller-regulator-12V-LCD-wider-MPPT-input-/130616352324.
Top notch quality if you look inside and online tests and experience shows that they meet the performance specs.

[HugoStiglitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close HugoStiglitz]

I purchased a 160w 12v Monocrystalline panel from Marsol (solarenergyproducts.com.au) it has no controller, just a panel. ($180 inc delivery)

went on a week long hunting trip with a friend. I ran my 80ltr Trailblazer Fridge (all the food) as well as a 150w Pure sign-wave inverter for the lights in his van at night.

My vehicle was not started for the entire week. each morning I would wake up and check the voltage on the 2nd battery. it never dipped below 12.0v despite us in and out of the fridge 4+ times a day and running the inverter for lights each night.

Setup Summary

160w 12v Mono Solar Panel
Redarc BCDC1240 /w MPPT Charge Controller
Century Marine Pro 730 100ah Battery

Load
80ltr Trailblazer (Food Fridge)
150 Pure Sign-wave Inverter (Van Lights)
5m 12v LED Light Strip (Gazebo Lights)

Another friend did things on the cheap, bought a cheap panel with integrated controller as well as an EvaKool Fridge Mate 80ltr Fridge (big yellow thing with compressor at the end) and he has no end of trouble. the panel can't keep up with the fridge and it won't even last overnight. he has also tried running it through a 3rd party controller (just a cheap battery controller) but still has no end of issues.

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/25A-300W-MP...-/130616352324.
Top notch quality if you look inside and online tests and experience shows that they meet the performance specs.

Hi krypto, I've got one of these after reading some great reviews. They are poorly designed for a solid mounting though - can you recommend a good way to mount them?