Pricing Solar Panels

[Jaybird]

Can someone help me get my head around the price of solar panels.

i'm going to buy a folding Monocrystaline 120w panel as an addition to the roof mounted panel Jayco fitted. I have been looking on ebay and other sites and the price varies from $235 on ebay to in the $700's from a new company I saw in a caravan magazine. This seems a big price difference for the same description, so how much better or what could be the difference with the pricier panel.

Thanks

Terry

 

[zerosecta]

I would get the ebay one - My opinion on this is that Technology Changes and yes there was a time when panels where out of reach for the mere pleb.... But they have come down significantly in Price however Aussie Retailers Tend to milk the higher out of date prices for as long as they can, and you can be sure they will swear on thier lives that the product they are selling is far superior to those found on ebay - Reality on that is 99% of the time they are in fact the same....

LED Lights are a classic example of this - Back in the day, they were very new tech and very expensive on ebay as well as retailer on shore...... Now however, if you go into an Aus retailer like ARB or Rays outdoors etc you be kicked in the ars for upwards of $150 for the same thing you can pick up on ebay for around $18

 

[shadow75]

I got mine off Ebay (back in Jan). 190W for $250 delivered. My decision for which to buy was based around finding a light panel, and good value for money for watt. Make sure you get a panel the guarantees it's performance, usually around +/- 5% of the stated, as some highly over rate their panels. I was lucky with mine, as I've managed to squeeze over 220 W out of this on a bright day, and I'm hopeful it may produce more.

The Solar regulator will also make a small difference, PWM vs MPPT, but there's lots of different opinions about that.

Good luck in your hunt for a panel!!

 

[mfexpanda]

Ebay for ours too

 

[Xpandafan]

As the concensus has it...go Ebay. While my Expanda has 2 roof mounted panels, I previously used folding panels from local importer purchased thru ebay. Well made and worked perfectly.

FWIW I fitted an anderson plug just under van wired to 12v input. Then I made up an extension lead with andersons on each end to link van to panel wherever I decided to set it up. I connected the panel output leads (4) to another anderson plug and used a cheap plastic tool box with notches at each end for the leads and kept all the connections inside weather proof and tidy (4 leads in one side, one out the other) tucked behind the panels.

Also used some cheap plastic stick on cable clips to hold leads in place when folding up panels, if yours don't come with something similar. Stops pinching wires.
Cut down a heavy duty suit bag (from Op Shop) for storing panels. OEM bag was a bit flimsy.

 

[ElectricGuru]

Hey Jaybird

eBay will suffice for buying panels but just make sure that the panel is compatible with the regulator in terms of peak voltage, power ratings and efficiency. Main thing is you don't want the peak (open circuit) voltage of the panel to be higher than what the regulator can accept.

Otherwise, just make sure that the construction of the panel is up with the good ones as material specifications can be thinned out on the cheaper panels.

Any other questions, post them up or post a link of what you are thinking for us to have a look at.

Cheers mate.

 

[Jaybird]

Hey Jaybird

eBay will suffice for buying panels but just make sure that the panel is compatible with the regulator in terms of peak voltage, power ratings and efficiency. Main thing is you don't want the peak (open circuit) voltage of the panel to be higher than what the regulator can accept.

Otherwise, just make sure that the construction of the panel is up with the good ones as material specifications can be thinned out on the cheaper panels.

Any other questions, post them up or post a link of what you are thinking for us to have a look at.

Cheers mate.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360466559807?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

This was the panel I was thinking of, it will not be connected to the van at this stage I was going to connect it to a 100amp/H battery and use it to keep a 40ltr engle running as a freezer which is usually in the back of the car and to charge phones etc. Later I would look at connecting to the van. The van solar controller is the Setec II (ST35 II)

 

[Moto Mech]

http://www.mandrakessolar.com.au/
Great service, prices and back up if needed. Do you get that from ebay?

 

[shadow75]

G'day Jaybird

The van solar controller is the Setec II (ST35 II)

Are you sure the Setec II is a Solar Controller? I'm not convinced, but again could be wrong.

If you're Solar Panel is a 12V module, it may be connected directly to the Battery.. The issue here is the charge rate / voltage of the panel may be excessive depending on the type of battery / distance etc. Most panels will have / require a Solar PWM / MPPT controller for effective use and Battery conservation (ie charging at excessive voltage will destroy your battery quicker).

The issue with a 12V Panel with the Solar Reg on the panel, is if the panel is located any distance away from the battery, the voltage drop may mean that the battery may not charge as efficiently (or at all). This can obviously be over come with shorter distances, or heavier gauge wire etc.

Just my thoughts, Good luck with the mod..

 

[Jaybird]

Your right Shadow75 the setec is the 12 v system for the van the solar controller or whatever it is called that is in the van is the TPS1230, I'm not sure if that has any connection with the setec.
I'm going through a learning curve

 

[chartrock]

I bought a 100W from ebay too. I cut the alligator clips off and fitted anderson plugs to the unit as well as the cut off piece. It has a regulator built into the panel and I can just plug it to the anderson plug on the van where the car normally connects which bypasses the the Setec unit. I can also plug it into the back of my tug to charge the second battery. If required I can plug the alligator clips into the solar panel and charge an external battery. Very happy.