about to order some solar panels and I’m doing re-search on eBay (1 Viewer)

[Scout]

I’m just about to order some solar panels and I’m doing re-search on eBay

I’ve got 3 possible sites on the roof and I’d like to fit 3 X 100 watt panels, it’s a bit tight on space width wise on some of spaces so m going to have to for L shaped angle brackets fitted with the fixing bed pointing internally.

The spaces I have are

1: 1600 X 550mm

2: 1270 X 610mm

3: 1340 X 930mm

Am I being too ambitious trying to fit 3 panels?

Can anybody recommend suppliers or panels (good ones or one’s to avoid?)

I intend to use a MPPT regulator, to feed leisure batteries only, again any recommend suppliers (good ones or one’s to avoid?)

 

[Allanm]

I ordered panels from a recommended seller on eBay, and they arrived shattered. So, I got mine from Sunstore.co.uk Bit dearer but much better quality, packed better and arrived in petfect condition.
I also bought a Victron mppt controller. Loads of places sell them for around the same price.

 

[Beacons]

We went to sunstore too
we bought off them for our last two
vans inc kits controllers as a pack
plus skiloflex very helpful boughours over phone . Jan.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[treetops1]

I got my panels off ebay 2 Years ago no problems ,Why do you need 3 panels .2x100watt panels is plenty for us and keeps the engine topped up lol

 

[Lenny HB]

Brought my panels from here, recently before trading the old van as the panels were only a couple of years old I took them off (now fitted on new van) and replaced them with an 80 watt panel from eBay, there was a noticeable different in the quality the frame on the eBay one was thinner alloy and overall construction was better on my original panels.
Used , same one that @Techno uses and recommends, I've been very impressed with it's performance.

 

[treetops1]

Would strongly recommend the regulator in the above post as recommended by Techno ,I took Andy's advise and everything has worked brilliantly.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Kool Kroozer]

Bought all mine with everything needed from Solar Energy Alliance
http://www.solarenergyalliance.com/Solar PV small panels and accessories.html

 

[gus-lopez]

I used these
http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=25

 

[Gaston aires]

Same as "treetops 1"
2 x 100 watt panels will provide an abundance of power. No need for 3. Cost about £100 per panel and £20 per controller. 1 tube sikaflex £10. Use good thick cables and hey presto, done job.
Phil

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

I used these
http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=25

It was them that the 80 watt panel came from I was not that impressed with the quality, worked OK just seemed a bit flimsy compared to my other ones.

Same as "treetops 1"
2 x 100 watt panels will provide an abundance of power. No need for 3. Cost about £100 per panel and £20 per controller. 1 tube sikaflex £10. Use good thick cables and hey presto, done job.
Phil

I have 2 x 100 watt don't think it is enough looking at fitting at least one other panel maybe more, and a £20 controller is not going to work very well in low light levels better to spend a bit more on a decent MPPT one if you rely on solar like we do.

 

[Allanm]

I used these
http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=25

That's where I bought mine from that arrived broken, although it was their eBay site. Their customer service was excellent though, they paid for the return and refunded promptly.

 

[chaser]

I used these
http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=25

I also had off these 100w flexible, no problem

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Infinity31]

Line up all the panels from the suppliers mentioned above and take your pick.

I bet you end up taking the shovel

 

[Gaston aires]

It was them that the 80 watt panel came from I was not that impressed with the quality, worked OK just seemed a bit flimsy compared to my other ones.
I found that my 2 x 100s worked just fine. Never ran short of power from 2 x Exide gel batteries.
Phil


I have 2 x 100 watt don't think it is enough looking at fitting at least one other panel maybe more, and a £20 controller is not going to work very well in low light levels better to spend a bit more on a decent MPPT one if you rely on solar like we do.

 

[Theonlysue]

If you have a schaudt panel, use a schaudt regulator as they talk to each other
Also thickness of cable matters, as too thick and you'll waste some of the input.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Scout]

If you have a schaudt panel, use a schaudt regulator as they talk to each other
Also thickness of cable matters, as too thick and you'll waste some of the input.

Thanks Sue but its on an autotrail, with the sargent charger, i was going to do 4mm to the regulator and 6mm to the bateries,, what do you think.. ?

 

[Theonlysue]

I'm not sure, but there will be someone who knows @Jaws @Techno

 

[Scout]

Just bought my mppt controler

Like technos about 86 QUID from gernany

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Scout]

The feindlygreengaint panels look a good price but they dont state the size and there not working today

 

[Lenny HB]

If you have a schaudt panel, use a schaudt regulator as they talk to each other

New ones don't have that function anymore the panels just have a light bar showing approx voltage.

Also thickness of cable matters, as too thick and you'll waste some of the input.

The larger the cable the better, less volt drop the only thing you will waste is money buying it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Sue but its on an autotrail, with the sargent charger, i was going to do 4mm to the regulator and 6mm to the bateries,, what do you think.. ?

Generally 4mm is OK but 6mm is better, mine is a mixture as the pre-wired cables were 4mm and I extended then to the panels with 6mm. Size of cable is governed by length of run, size of panels & volt drop/current loss you prepared to accept.
For 200 watts of panels with a 5 metre run 4mm is fine. Looking at it another way in summer when you have maximum output from the panels your losses are going to be highest, so on 2 panels producing 10 amps a 5% loss would be 0.5A, in the middle of winter with the panels only producing say 4 amps you would only lose 0.2A.
So providing the cables are adequate it is not quite as critical as some think but I wouldn't go below 4mm.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Scout]

I ended up get the3 100 watt pannels from germany as nobody had at a price that was competive along with the mppt controler, but all of the other stuff came form uk ebay sellers, I had to use severail because no one could supply everything I wanted.

Ive just finished phase 1, the controler is in along with the 20 amp breakers,on both terminals from the pannels and one plus side of the battery both at the controler end and the battery end.

All the feet are on the pannels ready to go on. I tried one pannel with tempary with throurgh the window and it seems ok , I tested each pannel on the deck 21 volts even on a cloudy day.I just need to tidy up the install, and use a litle wood filler in the hols that show, and put screw caps on

 

[Lenny HB]

Pleased to see you bought a decent controller, fuses look expensive.

 

[Stealaway]

fuses look expensive.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Like I said expensive.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Like I said expensive.

Blimey I thought they were fairly cheap look good though don't they

Shows what i know

 

[Lenny HB]

Blimey I thought they were fairly cheap look good though don't they

Shows what i know

I was comparing them to a blade fuse holder & fuse for 50p.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Scout]

finnall got the pannels on, just the wiring to tidy up now

 

[Lenny HB]

finnall got the pannels on, just the wiring to tidy up now

Nice job but that one under your aerial won't do anything any shade will kill the output.

 

[Scout]

Nice job but that one under your aerial won't do anything any shade will kill the output.

That one was factory fitted by autotrail, It goes to the autotrail mains box in which there is a smart controler, Ive set that to hab battery only the wires look really feeble, the 3 new 100watt pannels go through my new mttp controler and feed the lesuire batteries only..I used 6mm wireing all through the new installation. Im just about to go and tidy up the wires now if its not too windy.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}