Solar panels

1
2
Hello Greg,
 
Would that kit be every thing I need for my camper? are they hard to install?
 
Leighton
 
 
3
Leighton,

I think you will need at least a 120W solar panel to allow for inefficiencies and shading/ sun angles.

These are usually a complete kit and all you do is hook them up to you battery and let the charge controller built into the panels do the work.

They are good because you can park you syncro in the shade and stick the solar panel out in the sun.

Its definitely on my list to get and basically gives you independence from powered sites.

I still think you would need to exercise caution with your power use though - just to be sure.

Skot

On 16/05/2012 9:05 PM, Leighton Smith wrote:

Hello Greg,

Would that kit be every thing I need for my camper? are they hard to install?

Leighton



4

 
Skot,
 
Thanks for the info and I will keep looking.
 
Leighton 

 


5
Here ya go Scott.
What ever your power needs, they are getting more affordable. Hope they come down again before this summer. Greg E
From: Leighton Smith <smith_leighton@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2012 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Solar panels

 

 
Skot,
 
Thanks for the info and I will keep looking.
 
Leighton 

 




6
Greg,

Now that appears to be very good value!

Might have to ask the minister of finance for that one for Christmas!

I'm about to spend $220 on a new windscreen so I think I will need to wait till then.

Cheers,


Skot

On 16/05/2012 9:58 PM, Greg Esposito wrote:
Here ya go Scott.
What ever your power needs, they are getting more affordable. Hope they come down again before this summer. Greg E
From: Leighton Smith <smith_leighton@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2012 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Solar panels



Skot,

Thanks for the info and I will keep looking.

Leighton







7
Didn't see the original posting but this extract of Jaycar's solar offerings from their May Mayhem Sale might be of interest. or try
Roger
Melbourne
 


--- On Wed, 16/5/12, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com> wrote:

From: Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com>
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Solar panels
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Received: Wednesday, 16 May, 2012, 8:44 PM

 
Greg,

Now that appears to be very good value!

Might have to ask the minister of finance for that one for Christmas!

I'm about to spend $220 on a new windscreen so I think I will need to wait till then.

Cheers,


Skot

On 16/05/2012 9:58 PM, Greg Esposito wrote:
 
Here ya go Scott.
What ever your power needs, they are getting more affordable. Hope they come down again before this summer. Greg E
From: Leighton Smith <smith_leighton@hotmail.com>
To: syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2012 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Solar panels

 

 
Skot,
 
Thanks for the info and I will keep looking.
 
Leighton 

 





8
Greg.They sure have dropped. I paid $1,100 for a kyocera 130 watt panel 5 years ago and thought it was a good deal. They're now about a quarter of that or less. I ran my farm house as "stand alone" for years ond the technology has improved out of sight, especially with the introduction of LED lights. My inside lights in the van draw 60ma Thats 60/1000ths of an amp. I didn't beleave the manufacturers stats so put the multi metre on it and sure enough they were correct. Thats a tiny tiny draw on a 100ah battery. Would literally run it for months continuously. As Scott say the fridge is by far the largest power consumer. As a rough rule my fridge draws about 2.5amps for 10 hours per day (25 ah) and my panel lying flat on the van roof generates about 35ah per day. More than enough on a sunny day to keep everything going. The debate about a fixed panel on the roof verses ground mounted panels you can adjust hourly to maximise the input is personal. I like the set and forget fixed method. Get a decent controller too. A GOOD CONTROLLER WILL GIVE YOU INPUT AND OUTPUT INFORMATION AND INCORPORATE A 3 STAGE cHARGER which will charge the battery more fully. All this stuff is getting cheaper and powers your camp like your at home. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "gregespo73" <gregespo73@...> wrote:
>
> Wow the price of solar panels has dropped.
> http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270978311974?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
>
9
Bill, very informative. What I like with fixed installations is, that they are out of your way and out of sight. Have always a problem with my old Telecom panel to find space to store the thing .
Hart

Sent from my iPad

On 17/05/2012, at 10:05 AM, "Bill" <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:

 

Greg.They sure have dropped. I paid $1,100 for a kyocera 130 watt panel 5 years ago and thought it was a good deal. They're now about a quarter of that or less. I ran my farm house as "stand alone" for years ond the technology has improved out of sight, especially with the introduction of LED lights. My inside lights in the van draw 60ma Thats 60/1000ths of an amp. I didn't beleave the manufacturers stats so put the multi metre on it and sure enough they were correct. Thats a tiny tiny draw on a 100ah battery. Would literally run it for months continuously. As Scott say the fridge is by far the largest power consumer. As a rough rule my fridge draws about 2.5amps for 10 hours per day (25 ah) and my panel lying flat on the van roof generates about 35ah per day. More than enough on a sunny day to keep everything going. The debate about a fixed panel on the roof verses ground mounted panels you can adjust hourly to maximise the input is personal. I like the set and forget fixed method. Get a decent controller too. A GOOD CONTROLLER WILL GIVE YOU INPUT AND OUTPUT INFORMATION AND INCORPORATE A 3 STAGE cHARGER which will charge the battery more fully. All this stuff is getting cheaper and powers your camp like your at home. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "gregespo73" <gregespo73@...> wrote:
>
> Wow the price of solar panels has dropped.
> http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270978311974?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
>

10
Bill, very informative. What I like with fixed installations is, that they are out of your way and out of sight. Have always a problem with my old Telecom panel to find space to store the thing .
Hart

Sent from my iPad

On 17/05/2012, at 10:05 AM, "Bill" <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:

 

Greg.They sure have dropped. I paid $1,100 for a kyocera 130 watt panel 5 years ago and thought it was a good deal. They're now about a quarter of that or less. I ran my farm house as "stand alone" for years ond the technology has improved out of sight, especially with the introduction of LED lights. My inside lights in the van draw 60ma Thats 60/1000ths of an amp. I didn't beleave the manufacturers stats so put the multi metre on it and sure enough they were correct. Thats a tiny tiny draw on a 100ah battery. Would literally run it for months continuously. As Scott say the fridge is by far the largest power consumer. As a rough rule my fridge draws about 2.5amps for 10 hours per day (25 ah) and my panel lying flat on the van roof generates about 35ah per day. More than enough on a sunny day to keep everything going. The debate about a fixed panel on the roof verses ground mounted panels you can adjust hourly to maximise the input is personal. I like the set and forget fixed method. Get a decent controller too. A GOOD CONTROLLER WILL GIVE YOU INPUT AND OUTPUT INFORMATION AND INCORPORATE A 3 STAGE cHARGER which will charge the battery more fully. All this stuff is getting cheaper and powers your camp like your at home. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "gregespo73" <gregespo73@...> wrote:
>
> Wow the price of solar panels has dropped.
> http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270978311974?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
>

11
Thanks Bill, Its always nice to get info from someone who has been there and done that. Last trip away I wired in my multi meter in to see how many amps the fridge was drawing when out camping in 30+ temps. I crunched the numbers when I got back and decided I needed an 80w panel. We are not heavy electrical consumers. Just the fridge and and flouro on for ten min before bed. As Scott has pointed out how often do you  get full sun on the panel. So I think I will follow both your leads and look for a 120w+ panel before this summer season. Am also torn between the portable vs fixed idea, but leaning towards the portable. Thanks Greg E

From: Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@live.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2012 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels

 
Bill, very informative. What I like with fixed installations is, that they are out of your way and out of sight. Have always a problem with my old Telecom panel to find space to store the thing .
Hart

Sent from my iPad

On 17/05/2012, at 10:05 AM, "Bill" <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:

 
Greg.They sure have dropped. I paid $1,100 for a kyocera 130 watt panel 5 years ago and thought it was a good deal. They're now about a quarter of that or less. I ran my farm house as "stand alone" for years ond the technology has improved out of sight, especially with the introduction of LED lights. My inside lights in the van draw 60ma Thats 60/1000ths of an amp. I didn't beleave the manufacturers stats so put the multi metre on it and sure enough they were correct. Thats a tiny tiny draw on a 100ah battery. Would literally run it for months continuously. As Scott say the fridge is by far the largest power consumer. As a rough rule my fridge draws about 2.5amps for 10 hours per day (25 ah) and my panel lying flat on the van roof generates about 35ah per day. More than enough on a sunny day to keep everything going. The debate about a fixed panel on the roof verses ground mounted panels you can adjust hourly to maximise the input is personal. I like the set and forget fixed method. Get a decent controller too. A GOOD CONTROLLER WILL GIVE YOU INPUT AND OUTPUT INFORMATION AND INCORPORATE A 3 STAGE cHARGER which will charge the battery more fully. All this stuff is getting cheaper and powers your camp like your at home. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "gregespo73" <gregespo73@...> wrote:
>
> Wow the price of solar panels has dropped.
> http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270978311974?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
>



12

I haven’t been following this thread closely but suggest that a panel could be mounted in the normal roof position but held in place with over-centre clamps so that it could be either propped up at a more suitable angle on the roof or removed and positioned on the ground in full sun.  If the latter, the cabling has to be of sufficient cross section area to ensure no voltage drop.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of greg esposito
Sent: 17 May 2012 10:08
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels 

Thanks Bill, Its always nice to get info from someone who has been there and done that. Last trip away I wired in my multi meter in to see how many amps the fridge was drawing when out camping in 30+ temps. I crunched the numbers when I got back and decided I needed an 80w panel. We are not heavy electrical consumers. Just the fridge and and flouro on for ten min before bed. As Scott has pointed out how often do you  get full sun on the panel. So I think I will follow both your leads and look for a 120w+ panel before this summer season. Am also torn between the portable vs fixed idea, but leaning towards the portable. Thanks Greg E

 

From: Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@live.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2012 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels

 

 

Bill, very informative. What I like with fixed installations is, that they are out of your way and out of sight. Have always a problem with my old Telecom panel to find space to store the thing .

Hart

13
Les. Yes i agree, the tilting roof mounted panel is the way to go. The disadvantages with the portable approach. Bulky to carry in the van,just another thing to set up at camp,easily stolen. If you're worried about leaving them unattended and put them away each time you leave camp the down time will outweigh the inefficiencies of the fixed system. The fixed system lives on my van and is thus keeping all batteries fully charged when sitting in the driveway at home. Greg they are that cheap 2x 80w fixed would be an awsome system and you will be surprised how much shade they provide on the roof reducing the inside temp of the van. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@...> wrote:
>
> I haven't been following this thread closely but suggest that a panel could
> be mounted in the normal roof position but held in place with over-centre
> clamps so that it could be either propped up at a more suitable angle on the
> roof or removed and positioned on the ground in full sun. If the latter,
> the cabling has to be of sufficient cross section area to ensure no voltage
> drop.
>
> Les
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of greg esposito
> Sent: 17 May 2012 10:08
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels
>
> Thanks Bill, Its always nice to get info from someone who has been there and
> done that. Last trip away I wired in my multi meter in to see how many amps
> the fridge was drawing when out camping in 30+ temps. I crunched the numbers
> when I got back and decided I needed an 80w panel. We are not heavy
> electrical consumers. Just the fridge and and flouro on for ten min before
> bed. As Scott has pointed out how often do you get full sun on the panel.
> So I think I will follow both your leads and look for a 120w+ panel before
> this summer season. Am also torn between the portable vs fixed idea, but
> leaning towards the portable. Thanks Greg E
>
>
>
> From: Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@...>
> To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com"
> <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2012 9:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels
>
>
>
>
>
> Bill, very informative. What I like with fixed installations is, that they
> are out of your way and out of sight. Have always a problem with my old
> Telecom panel to find space to store the thing .
>
> Hart
>
14
Mmmmm now I'm thinking fixed. Thanks Bill

From: Bill <marg_bill@westnet.com.au>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2012 11:30 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels

 
Les. Yes i agree, the tilting roof mounted panel is the way to go. The disadvantages with the portable approach. Bulky to carry in the van,just another thing to set up at camp,easily stolen. If you're worried about leaving them unattended and put them away each time you leave camp the down time will outweigh the inefficiencies of the fixed system. The fixed system lives on my van and is thus keeping all batteries fully charged when sitting in the driveway at home. Greg they are that cheap 2x 80w fixed would be an awsome system and you will be surprised how much shade they provide on the roof reducing the inside temp of the van. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@...> wrote:
>
> I haven't been following this thread closely but suggest that a panel could
> be mounted in the normal roof position but held in place with over-centre
> clamps so that it could be either propped up at a more suitable angle on the
> roof or removed and positioned on the ground in full sun. If the latter,
> the cabling has to be of sufficient cross section area to ensure no voltage
> drop.
>
> Les
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of greg esposito
> Sent: 17 May 2012 10:08
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels
>
> Thanks Bill, Its always nice to get info from someone who has been there and
> done that. Last trip away I wired in my multi meter in to see how many amps
> the fridge was drawing when out camping in 30+ temps. I crunched the numbers
> when I got back and decided I needed an 80w panel. We are not heavy
> electrical consumers. Just the fridge and and flouro on for ten min before
> bed. As Scott has pointed out how often do you get full sun on the panel.
> So I think I will follow both your leads and look for a 120w+ panel before
> this summer season. Am also torn between the portable vs fixed idea, but
> leaning towards the portable. Thanks Greg E
>
>
>
> From: Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@...>
> To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com"
> <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2012 9:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Solar panels
>
>
>
>
>
> Bill, very informative. What I like with fixed installations is, that they
> are out of your way and out of sight. Have always a problem with my old
> Telecom panel to find space to store the thing .
>
> Hart
>



15

Interesting discussion guys. I bought two 50 watt panels from the Jaycar on-line store on a special deal they had for members ($275 the pair plus freight). Then went to the local store and bought the cables to hook them up together. Then a couple of stainless hinges and a couple of aluminium props. On a nice sunny day they put out 6.8 amps at 13.5 volts. I have found in my limited trips on the coast and out west that stand alone suits me better. I like to park the van in the shade where possible so I installed an Anderson plug on the outside under the body connected to my house battery through a controller. Then with a decent length cable I “chase the sun”. Bit more effort and they need to be stored when travelling. Cheers, Peter from Port.

16
Greg,
Maybe low price suggests low quality? Includes shipping as well!!
I see Jaycar prices are still much higher than these eBay prices.
In case anyone wants to read a precis on all things solar ...
Cheers.
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: gregespo73@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 10:03:01 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Solar panels

 
Wow the price of solar panels has dropped.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270978311974?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649