12 volt system vs simple batterys

[bdosborn]

Hmmm, no specs available for the panel and the controller looks like a no-name chinese model. What is it that makes you recommend this panel, other than it is a complete kit?

Bruce

[Esteban]

Hmmm, no specs available for the panel and the controller looks like a no-name chinese model. What is it that makes you recommend this panel, other than it is a complete kit?

Bruce

Drew recently bought the Renogy kit from Amazon.com after inquiring here (TNTTT) about kits/parts from AM Solar He posted a picture of the kit on 11/15/13. Maybe he will share his reasons, a review and experience with the kit? His needs and reasons were pretty well explained in the AM Solar thread.

There are many (mosty) favorable reviews (many by RVers) and a considerable number of Q&A's about the Renogy kit at Amazon. By clicking on the pictures at Amazon the panel specs can be seen on the label on the back of the panel.

Anyone who may be interested in the kit should do their own research and make their own value judgements.


For comparisons:

AMSolar.com has a 100 watt budget_solar_panel_kit currently on sale for $229.99 with free shipping. A controller is extra. A sunsaver_10_gen._3_pwm is $55.00.

UL-Solar.com has a 100 watt UL_Solar_RV_Solar_Power_Kit_100_Watt that is currently $269.99 with free shipping. They have many other configurations too.

[jonnyo]

Your design msy be easy to add the wiring later, but it is always easier to install during the build. Wiring is cheap. Lay on the wiring. Later, add outlets and a battery if you want.

With my design, to wire now or later is the same. Wire would be pass inside storage box and under bed frame. Te issue with doing it now is, in have no clue how to do it, what wire to get, where to get them etc

Now, I think some people suggest solar panel. How heavy is the full set up with battery? What about the drag on the roof??

So far 2 led light at 7$ each and 4 AA battery at 5$; my full system
Cost 19$. I did 2 years of camping on those tiny battery. A solar panel sounds like a lot of trouble and 200+$.... That would be over 40 years of battery camping on AA battery.

I think until my needs change, any solar or 12 volt system doesn't make sence.


My new build will have 6 windows total that can open, that makes perhaps a fantastic fan pointless.

Thank you everyone for the great explanation and suggestion

[Esteban]

Your design msy be easy to add the wiring later, but it is always easier to install during the build. Wiring is cheap. Lay on the wiring. Later, add outlets and a battery if you want.

With my design, to wire now or later is the same. Wire would be pass inside storage box and under bed frame. Te issue with doing it now is, in have no clue how to do it, what wire to get, where to get them etc.

delcity.net is a good place to buy wire and electrical supplies. I have used them and am very satisfied. Their duplex brake cable is one kind of wire you might use to wire DC circuits Duplex-Brake-Cable

Solar power is a very nice "luxury" that is becoming increasingly affordable. Not a necessity. I have friends who are very satisfied with battery powered led lights like you use. It's a to each his/her own situation.

[bdosborn]

Drew recently bought the Renogy kit from Amazon.com after inquiring here (TNTTT) about kits/parts from AM Solar He posted a picture of the kit on 11/15/13. Maybe he will share his reasons, a review and experience with the kit? His needs and reasons were pretty well explained in the AM Solar thread..

It makes me nervous to buy a panel without being able to read specs. Here's a cheap 100 watt panel but I wouldn't buy it if I lived in Arizona.100 watt panel linky. Why? The Vmp is kinda low at 17.0 volts. You can have a hard time charging in hot weather with a panel with a low Vmp. I didn't pay attention to the controller on the portable panel I bought, it was a no-name chinese and it failed after two uses.

The kit's probably fine, I just like to look at specs and make sure it does what I want for my specific application. Hopefully Drew will post a review after he's installed it as it might be a real bargain.

Bruce

[Esteban]

Amazon has a photo of the specs label on the back of the Renogy 100 watt panel. It is hard for me to read clearly. I think it says the open circuit Vmp is 22.5. The "optimum operating voltage?" is 18.9.

edit: Googled Renogy and found their website which is renogy.com. The page for the 100 wall panel www.renogy-store.com/100-watt-panel shows its specs.

Solar Cell
Monocrystalline 125x125 (5 inches)
No. of Cells
36 (4x9)
Dimensions 1195x541x35 mm (47x21.3x1.4 inches)
Weight 7.5 kgs (16.5 lbs)
Front Glass
3.2 mm (0.13 inches) tempered glass
Frame
Anodized aluminum alloy
Junction Box
IP67 rated
Output Cables
4.0 mm2 (0.006 inches2), 600mm (23.6 inches)
Connectors MC4 Connectors
Fire Rating
Class C

Electrical Characteristics:

Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp) 18.9V
Optimum Operating Current (Imp) 5.29A
Open - Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.5V
Short- Circuit Current (Isc) 5.75A
Operating Module Temperature -40°C to + 90°C
Maximum System Voltage 600 V DC (UL) / 1000 V DC (IEC)
Maximum Series Fuse Rating
15A

That was pretty easy to find.
Another edit: They have several 100 watt panels for sale. The above specs may or may not be for the panel Drew bought. If it is it was made in the USA according to reviews on the web page.

The other 100 watt panel has polycrystalline cells with a lower 17.8 Vmp.

[bdosborn]

Vmp 18.9 would be a great panel for hot weather, but it might be hard to parallel with other panels without some losses.
Vmp 17.7 is a very common value, you would have a lot of choices in paralleling and no problems in hot weather.


Bruce