Posted: 2/9/2014 12:00:49 PM EDT
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I am looking for a solar kit to charge my two batteries on my travel trailer which will be used for lights, water pump, etc. I have a honda eu2000i for the microwave and other things.. I was wondering what you guys thought of these two kits? Is there better out there for the money? Is the 160w worth the extra price? Thanks.
http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-&-Systems-12-Volt-Solar-Panels/c1_269/p2756/W-Solar-120-Watt-Foldable-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-&-Systems-12-Volt-Solar-Panels/c1_269/p2754/W-Solar-160-Watt-Foldable-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html |
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Kits are usually a rip off, though the 160W kit at $239 isn't terrible. But this doesn't include shipping, which can be a bitch for solar panels. Also don't like the “built-in” charge controller---that component should be inside, not out in the weather.
Can't really say if this kit would be big enough for you without knowing the capacity of the batteries you plan on charging, and what time of year you'll be using the panel. But to give you a general idea, I have a 158W panel that I estimate will generate an average of 23 amp-hours per day (averaged across the year, accounting for wire loss and inverter draw/inefficiency). Obviously it won't be generating anything right now given the current weather conditions, and it puts out quite a bit more during the summer. If you're in the Portland area, I highly recommend checking out Lightharvest Solar. Miles is a good guy to deal with. I got my 158W kit for $240 from him, which included the panel, a 10 amp charge controller, MC4 connectors, and 20' of nice outdoor-rated 10 ga wire. |
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160w "might" get you by.
Have a read here: http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/the-rv-battery-charging-puzzle-2/ |
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Quoted:
Kits are usually a rip off, though the 160W kit at $239 isn't terrible. But this doesn't include shipping, which can be a bitch for solar panels. Also don't like the “built-in” charge controller---that component should be inside, not out in the weather. Can't really say if this kit would be big enough for you without knowing the capacity of the batteries you plan on charging, and what time of year you'll be using the panel. But to give you a general idea, I have a 158W panel that I estimate will generate an average of 23 amp-hours per day (averaged across the year, accounting for wire loss and inverter draw/inefficiency). Obviously it won't be generating anything right now given the current weather conditions, and it puts out quite a bit more during the summer. If you're in the Portland area, I highly recommend checking out Lightharvest Solar. Miles is a good guy to deal with. I got my 158W kit for $240 from him, which included the panel, a 10 amp charge controller, MC4 connectors, and 20' of nice outdoor-rated 10 ga wire. I wish I was near a solar store but I am on the coast about 6 hours from Portland. Ill be using the panel year round but can use the honda when the weather is poor. Is the controller being inclosed behind the panel really that bad? Shipping for the 160w kit is $18.24 |
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I've honestly never encountered a built-in charge controller, every solar set up I've seen has a separate charge controller. With a separate CC you can keep it out of the weather, get a bigger one if you want to expand the system, easily replace if it goes tits up, upgrade to MPPT, etc.
For year-round off-grid living, I'd rather have this set up, though it's a lot less portable than the 160W system in your OP: --$388 shipped for two DMSolar 158W panels --$79 shipped for Sunforce 30-amp charge controller (or this $30 Chinese CC) --Wiring, meter, mount, etc. Maybe $150 depending on your needs and what supplies you have on hand. I have one of these DMSolar panels and a cheap 10 amp charge controller. Used it extensively this summer, happy with its performance. Hoping to get two more of these panels and an upgraded CC this year. |
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We use in the trailer, 4 80 watt Sharp panels and 2 golf cart batteries and an Outback MX 60 charge controller and we used to use a Vector Smart 40 amp charger with a Honda EU 1000i genny. [Now we use a Xantrex Smart Charge 40 amp unit. Very nice chargers that can equalize your battery bank, something critical for flooded batteries, to extend service life.]
That takes care of issues nicely. The panels date from about 2008 when panels weren't cheap like now. If I did it today, I would use 2 Sharp 240ND panels... [The 80 watt panels were like $750 each back in 2008 
Times have changed. Sharp 240 watt panels measure abt 30 x 60 inches, weight abt 35 or 40 pounds IIRC, and cost about $250. Prices can be found at: Solar panel prices Beyond Oil has the Sharp 240ND panels for $244 each, an incredible bargain. [I bought a bunch of those speculating, for more than that, a year or 2 ago] Beyond Oil Solar, a good company, is in N CA, near you. They ship Fed Ex. |
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Typically, foldable panels cost significantly more than fixed, residential-style panels of comparable power output. You pay a premium for the portability.
If you mount the panels permanently on the RV's roof (as is the common practice), foldability isn't necessary anyway. Having the solar charge controller located on the back of the panels has several disadvantages: 1. It isn't capable of compensating for the voltage drop in the wiring between the panels and batteries, unless it has provisions for installing a pair of separate voltage-sense wires. This voltage drop can be considerable (particularly when the panels are producing a lot of charging current), and can result in chronic battery undercharging, or controller cut-off settings that change under different sunlight conditions. 2. It doesn't allow you to monitor the operation of the panels and controller from inside the RV. 3. As Cathan91 mentioned, you're pretty much stuck with the controller than came with the panels. Being able to choose your controller separately is nice - you can pick the features that appeal to you, and can also oversize if for any future panel upgrades. |