ALDI Solar Panel

Drover

Drover

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If you have bought one of them recently at the Saturday sale, it was pointed out to me on here about the Controllers failing, so I kept a close eye on mine while doing some extra testing and mine went wonky and started pushing 17v into the battery I was using (not van battery) and she started to cook. Unplugged and put it in the dark, brought it out again and all seemed to be working okay again but don't trust it now so will go shopping and get a new one.
Found the controller used on these things going for $20 on ebay so that says a lot...panels seem fine when I used another controller but wouldn't hook the original controller up to an expensive battery though.

Old wet battery seems to have come thru okay, charge sitting back at 13.5v so should be still okay.

Local Jaycar may get a visit tomorrow, gag,,,, new controller about the same price I paid for panels........yeah, yeah I know........
 
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Crusty181

Crusty181

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Drover said:
If you have bought one of them recently at the Saturday sale, it was pointed out to me on here about the Controllers failing, so I kept a close eye on mine while doing some extra testing and mine went wonky and started pushing 17v into the battery I was using (not van battery) and she started to cook. Unplugged and put it in the dark, brought it out again and all seemed to be working okay again but don't trust it now so will go shopping and get a new one.
Found the controller used on these things going for $20 on ebay so that says a lot...panels seem fine when I used another controller but wouldn't hook the original controller up to an expensive battery though.

Old wet battery seems to have come thru okay, charge sitting back at 13.5v so should be still okay.

Local Jaycar may get a visit tomorrow, gag,,,, new controller about the same price I paid for panels........yeah, yeah I know........
Click to expand...
Nice job @Drover ... probably saved some folk a bucket of heart ache
 
Drover

Drover

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I've been checking it out since and it hasn't gone haywire again, so it may have just had a moment but a new controller is on the cards as I don't trust it, the old panel is working well keeping the beer fridge running and with the cold nights there's no way I'm camping without the 240v heater fired up at night......................may take awhile to get to Jaycar as I want new springs and a pile of other gear Santa....
 
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Drover

Drover

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I thought maybe a few others had encountered the same just to show my issue wasn't a one off but it probably happens with other units as the controller is actually on a lot of cheaper panels...
 
bigcol

bigcol

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Nov 22, 2012
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as I have stated many many times
what I know about Solar you can print in 4" letters on the back of a Postage Stamp

my personal opinion of most "cheap" knock off's is.............

you will ALWAYS get what you pay for

I have a mate who thinks it is more economical to buy a $20 item 4 times, than to spend $90 once........

just my point of view............
 
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Drover

Drover

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There's always a balance, I have found the higher price doesn't always mean quality, even a brand name but it this instance from research I have found overall this $20 controller is , overall working okay with about the same amount of reported glitches as units 3 x the price, the internals are more than likely the same as a $100 unit but didn't pass some QC or were excess production.........................a major occurrence nowadays with the same unit having various brands and prices affixed.

With the ALDI units I think the panels are okay but if you affix a better controller you pump the price up to $350 - 400, compare controllers and you find the $$$ for panels is about the same.................
 
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Drover

Drover

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Can't see why not @bigcol , if you trust the Jayco wirng all should be good, just have to make sure the controller can handle the load really. Can become techo as ideally the panels should all be rated the same or similar, just like batteries, all the same works great.
 
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Dobbie

Dobbie

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I can't see why not if fitted in parallel.

Using as an extra portable unit would be a different matter as they'd need to be wired directly to the battery, using a reliable separate and appropriate controller/regulator.

We've been testing our five year old portable panels (with a good external and separate controller) to keep our battery charged while van is in the shed and roof panels covered. We usually charge via 240v through setec once a month when not travelling but wanted to test the ancient panel ....battery charge is brilliant. The old portable panels work fine because the controller is good so we're happy.
Regulator is waterproof ....that's important and it can all sit outside in the rain without worrying about it.

That's yet another thing I can forget about.
 
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Dean Anderson

Dean Anderson

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Got two 120Watt Maxrays myself... upgraded to6B&S cable and a Redarc controller in the van with Anderson plugs all over the place..............All worked well at home. Went on holidays and the Redarc packed it in... will have to do the warranty thingy......the al-cheapo 30 amp China import I bought before the peer pressure coped well over the two weeks even though the terminals required jiggling.

The toss up between reputation, quality, price, and actual functionality is a difficult decision.

My expensive one ($100) played up and I was lucky I had the $30 one as a back-up.

I must say I'm impressed with output though........... Overcast drizzling I get about 4A/Hr.........Sunny 16A/Hr max.........generally I have too much power.
 
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Drover

Drover

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Just an update, I replaced the controller with a 30amp Camec unit from Caravansplus for about $85, hasn't had a meltdown so all must be good.
 
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Rockape

Rockape

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It's great when people post issues they find and share with others their experiences. It can save people grief. Personally, I would use a good quality regulator and ditch the one on the panel. Also the closer the regulator is located to the battery the better, as you reduce voltage drop from the regulator to the battery.
Cheers
Nick
 
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BigSkiddy

BigSkiddy

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@Drover you might have got a dodgy one, but a major design fault with these is that there is an on/off switch for the regulator and if you accidentally switch it off the power still comes through, but unregulated.

I've got a drifter panel and I get my kids yell out the readings at regular intervals, whilst I sit outside. :very_drunk:
 
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