I've gone overboard on solar panels but here's a review of a portable solar panel I got off eBay. Its for the days I camp in the shade.
Its an 80 watt solar panel that folds in half and sits on the ground. It has a leg in the back to tilt it up towards the sun. It also came with a travel bag:
The connections are all on the back. I've got 25' of good marine #12awg for a extension cord, should only be around 2% voltage drop. It came with about 8' of #18 wire with alligator clamps on it. I cut that off and added a connector to the alligator clamps so I can connect the panel directly to a battery if I need to.
Here's the name plate data, nothing really good or a really bad.
The on-board controller is nothing special but it works. Its NOT weatherproof, though the panel will likely keep it from getting too wet in the rain. I added a connection so I can power the trailer using the on-board controller or I can connect it to the MPPT controller that runs the roof top panels.
Here's the output in watts using the on-board panel controller. It was a cloudy day so the panel wasn't putting out a lot. I had tested it earlier and it was putting out 65 watts in good sun.
Here's the output in watts using the MPPT controller, about 15% better. I compared the output from the on-board controller with a Sunsaver 10 PWM controller as well and found an identical output. The on-board controller has an acceptable efficiency level so I'll keep it and that way I can plug the panel directly into a 12V cigarette outlet using an adapter (Doug are you listening?).
Here's the panel folded half. It has a handle as well as a latch to keep it closed. It will ride in the compartment behind it in this picture:
So what's the bottom line? Its a nice panel if you don't want to put a panel on your roof or you camp in the shade a lot. The power output is what can be expected for an 80 watt panel and should be enough to keep up with most peoples usage. The wires that came with the panel are a little small for my likes but that's an easy enough fix. The only down side to it is its kind of heavy at around 25 pounds and you'll have to watch it to make sure it doesn't grow legs and walk away. The on-board controller is a little suspect as its not weatherproof so I'll be watching to make sure it doesn't get wet. The plus side is you can move it around and track the sun for maximum output. The panel is being listed on eBay for $266 which is a good price when you consider it comes with a controller.
Bruce
