tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 24, 2018 21:38:46 GMT 10
I’m interested in suggestions for acquiring solar panels and batteries at the cheapest cost. It needs to be able to be moved (that is, not attached to the roof).
Where have people bought these things from? And if second hand, any suggestions for telling if what you are getting is ok?
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tan
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Post by tan on Apr 25, 2018 1:12:42 GMT 10
I’m told eBay. Going to be picking up a couple myself soon for home and for my 4x4.
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Post by graynomad on Apr 25, 2018 7:25:19 GMT 10
I've bought plenty of eBay and they have been OK. I always bought from this mob www.ebay.com.au/itm/200-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel-Mono-Freight-Inclusive-200W-12V/331593538743?epid=1191595951&hash=item4d3483dcb7:g:jjIAAOSw8XBZsJS4Because the owner was Rod Irving, he was a well-known bloke in the electronics industry many years ago and IMO that gave him some cred. I don't see his name there now and it's been a few years since I bought from them, so YMMV. I also got a lot of panels second hand, $50 for 175w which is very good, it's a risk but they have been good as well. I am currently looking for secondhand ones again. One thing to be careful of are the specs, on eBay they often cut and paste the photos and other details, I get them to assure me that the physical size is ACTUALLY what they state because if it's not that can cause problems, same goes for the electrical specs, just verify that it really is what the ad says. Also, WRT the physical size, they are all roughly the same technology, if Joe Blogs says his are 200w and they are half the size (surface area) of everyone else's then that ain't right. Panels on truck mostly from that eBay mob. Panels on container secondhand.  |
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Post by Joey on Apr 25, 2018 7:52:26 GMT 10
If you want portable ones that fold up, try these. I've got one of the 160W and use it when on extended camping trips or when the cyclones tack out my power for a week+ I took it up to Weipa last year and where we were camping on the beach and the length of the cable it only really for a few hours in the arvo of direct sunlight but it kept the battery running the weaco on full charge www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/products/solar.htmlI would recommend getting the extension lead with them as well so you can set them up out further. But what are you looking at running from the panels? How much you want to power from them will determine how many you will need |
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Blended
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Post by Blended on Apr 25, 2018 8:03:16 GMT 10
eBay or Gumtree is the way to go. Solar can be obtained relatively cheap these days. Ex camping gear, garage sales etc.
First thing you really need to understand is what you require consumption wise. What will you be drawing from your power source that you will need the panels to put back.
Batteries are an important part also, will you be using agm/gel batteries or lead acid/sealed batteries.
Solar can be quite simple providing you understand what you need.
Hope this makes sense, I’ve been up for a few hours now.
-B
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 12:36:36 GMT 10
This link to the eBay seller is very useful, thanks. He has a bit of info in his faq. |
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 12:42:12 GMT 10
First thing you really need to understand is what you require consumption wise. What will you be drawing from your power source that you will need the panels to put back. Batteries are an important part also, will you be using agm/gel batteries or lead acid/sealed batteries. I think I need - to make up the shortfall with what I’ve got - 330 Watts or more of panels and 100 Ah battery. Currently have deep cycle batteries to assume I need the same thing to link it. |
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Blended
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Post by Blended on Apr 25, 2018 13:00:54 GMT 10
First thing you really need to understand is what you require consumption wise. What will you be drawing from your power source that you will need the panels to put back. Batteries are an important part also, will you be using agm/gel batteries or lead acid/sealed batteries. I think I need - to make up the shortfall with what I’ve got - 330 Watts or more of panels and 100 Ah battery. Currently have deep cycle batteries to assume I need the same thing to link it. Sorry, I’m not quite following. When you say shortfall, do you already have panels/batteries? What do you intend on running from the batteries? If you intend on running multiple batteries, I would suggest starting with new batteries. I’ve never had any luck with mismatched batteries. I’ve also found, from personal experiences that agm batteries seem to cycle better than gel. -B |
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Post by graynomad on Apr 25, 2018 13:15:50 GMT 10
I've pretty much always had AGM batteries, and no doubt they are better than flooded for the most part, but right now I'm looking at setting up a new bank of 16 (or maybe 20) batteries and the cost of AGMs will just kill me, flooded price will be no joke either but about 2/3rds the cost of AGMs. AGMs are known as "lazy man's batteries" to they are a good fit for me  , but I'll just have to pull my finger out and maintain them properly. |
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 13:40:53 GMT 10
What does agm mean
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 13:43:16 GMT 10
We’ve only been using our current ones for a few months.
When we bought them the guy said to try it and see if it had enough power for our needs
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Blended
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Post by Blended on Apr 25, 2018 14:21:55 GMT 10
AGM is short for Absorbed Glass Matt. It’s more like a sponge inside, compared to Gel, which is more an electrolyte type material. I’ve found agm batteries can be discharged and recharged as much or as little as possible, where gel needs to be discharged almost fully and completely recharged to maintain longevity. |
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