Solar Panels

[Gumb]

OK, got it now. That's what I do, just in a different way as there's no regulator on the panels themselves, being Ultralites.

Cheers, it's an interesting discussion. 

[peter_mcc]

So... following up... I've been chatting with someone on Facebook about solar panels so went looking to see what I should use.

I found some claimed 250W panels - for example this one:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/143041541186

The quoted dimensions are 1.335 x 0.67m = 0.89445m2. They claim 18% efficiency. Using that and standard illumination of 1000W/m2 means 180W/m2. So only really a 161W panel... not the 250W they are marketing it as.

All the other 250W panels I found were the same (or very similar) dimensions so it is unlikely that any of them are really 250W panels (using the standard illumination figure).

This one is even worse if you assume the quoted dimensions are correct:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323263062294
Unsurprisingly the two most recent reviews complain that it doesn't produce as much power as expected... hahahaha

This one looks better:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/202597572456
It works out to be around 200W


Looking around more there some panels which look legit - eg
https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/sr160q-super-rugged-textured-surface-1046-x-996-x
It is a 160W panel with an area of about 1.05m2. It's also $1560... so you could buy 8 or more of the cheaper ones. But the expensive one has a 5 year warranty, the cheap ones probably won't last very long (one of my 3 died within a year).

They also have cheaper ones  160W for $465 but with an area that matches the claimed output:
https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/160w-epdm-rubber-edge-earche-lightweight-solar-pan~18422

Interestingly a Road Tech Marine panel seems to check out as well:
https://www.roadtechmarine.com.au/100w-12v-semi-flexible-solar-panel-with-df-technology/p/ZM9158
Area is 0.94 x 0.69m = 0.6486m2 @ 170W/m2 = 110W (more than claimed because the dimensions include the border/etc which won't actually produce power).

I have no association with Solar4rvs or RTM and have no idea if their stuff is any good - they just have better search engine optimisation for what I searched for...

[Faraway]

Very interesting and useful knowledge to have prior to making a purchase.  Still rather like Gumb's Original suggestion.  It's good to have a specific product and supplier recommended.

[AsH_]

Ive just bought 2 x 90w Powerfilm folding solar panels.
I only have the panels, no controllers. They are meant to have 10a controllers each. I got them cheap so it didn't bother me.

But, i want to daisy chain them. So, i though link them in parallel then into a single 20A controller then to my anderson plug.

I figured rather than buying two 10a controllers, this would be a good idea.

Am i missing anything? Or does it make any difference if i was to run two controllers then into the diasy chain adapter to a single wire?

[peter_mcc]

AsH_ what year/model Tvan do you have? Is the Anderson plug connected directly to the batteries or does it go via a DC-DC converter (Projecta or Redarc probably)?

[AsH_]

AsH_ what year/model Tvan do you have? Is the Anderson plug connected directly to the batteries or does it go via a DC-DC converter (Projecta or Redarc probably)?

I have a murranji mk3.

I think it goes straight through to the battery. There is a projecta intelli charge unit.

I haven't made any changes to the tvan so i assume its all factory standard.

I am the 3rd owner.

[Gumb]

I'm not sure bout the Mk 3 but if the Tvan has only one controller, it would be the 240v charger for when you plug in to power. If it had a solar panel on the roof, it would have a separate solar controller and therefore you can't add another controller in to the system and the panels should be connected direct. In that case you should see a second controller on the panel.

[AsH_]

There is a small morningstar controller for the roof panel.

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Yes, and only capable of handling 4Amp, if it's the genuine OEM one, with the small panel on the roof.
A white box halfway up the wall over the Yellow power box.
If you want to run bigger panels, you have to run a bigger capacity controller.
Most are PWM, better ones are MPPT. Some MPPT are disguised PWM controllers, please research carefully before you lash out.
I know most panel arrays don't perform to maximum, but you have to calculate as if they do.
Panel outputs are usually in Watts units, As are capacities of the controllers.
If your not sure, just put up another Query.
There are a few on the Forum that are technically qualified to answer and others that will any way.

Right Boobook?