Experience with AMSolar.com

[drewh1]

I am considering buying a 100 watt panel and controller. This company has a very narrow (21 inch) panel. I really need this as I don't have much real estate on my roof with a fan and skylight.

Just wondering if anyone has purchased from this company and can recommend them.

thanks in advance.

drew.

[Shadow Catcher]

No experience with them but checked and what they sell is good quality i.e. Morningstar controller. No big negative on the wind & sun forum, so if they have what you need and you can't find it for less elsewhere. Looking through their web site information is good and it appears they have their panels custom made so this may be the only game in town for your roof space.

[bdosborn]

Try looking at the big guy RV site:

AM Solar Search

My impression is their stuff is spendy but they seem to have good installations/information and happy customers.

You might check eBay for 21" wide panels, I got an 85 watt panel from UL Solar on eBay that is 20" wide. It's the panel towards the front in this picture, the rear panel is 26" wide:



Bruce

[drewh1]

Great resources. Thanks to both of you for pointing me to these forums. I have some experience with electrical wiring but am new to solar so this is a big help.

I have looked at ebay but the listings often do not show the dimension (or maybe I don't know where to look) but I'll check more. At any rate, it is exciting to be at the point in the build where I can start thinking about wiring!

drew.

[bdosborn]

Solar Blvd seems to have the best deals lately:

Solar Blvd

You might consider a portable panel if roof space is tight...

Bruce

[Esteban]

Grape Solar looks to be the supplier of AM Solar panels. Their small off grid solar panels could fit on many teardrop trailer roofs.

One 100 watt panel (there are several 100 watt panels) is 20.7" x 40.8".

A 160 watt panel is 26" x 58".
They have a 3 pound 21.26" x 41.34" 100 watt flexible panel. PhotoFlex 100 watt

Costco, Amazon.com, Home Depot and Lowes sell Grape Solar panels.

[drewh1]

That is great information. AmSolar is having a sale right now with 10% off and free shipping.

I ended up buying the Renogy Kit on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BFCNFRM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Says it is made in USA.

Just really needed to save some money and it had pretty good reviews. It has the same specs as the AMSolar panel and comes with everything needed. the included Charge controller is not a Morningstar controller but hopefully this one will do the trick. I am only going to have some LED lights and a CPAP to run at first so I am sure it will be adequate here in sunny California. (Except I camp on the foggy coast ). Hope to add a small Digital amp and speakers for an Ipod later. At some point a small DC/AC fridge.

I'll let you know what it looks like when it arrives.

[Esteban]

Glad to be of help. Your Renogy 100 watt solar kit kit looks like a good deal.

I went (a little) overboard with reviews, links and You Tubes for AC/DC fridges in the Camping Secrets forum. TruckFridge is one of the lowest priced ones. It is sold under several brand names. There are many other fridges I found information about there too.

(edited to add) I read the Amazon.com reviews. It's a popular kit with 30 reviews, many from RV users, that are very positive. This looks like a very good buy. Please let us know how it works for you.

[drewh1]

Well look what came - a great deal and it looks like good quality stuff. Ready to go off the grid!

IMG_2522.JPG (91.51 KiB) Viewed 2066 times

I went (a little) overboard with reviews, links and You Tubes for AC/DC fridges in the Camping Secrets forum. TruckFridge is one of the lowest priced ones. It is sold under several brand names. There are many other fridges I found information about there too.

Steve - I think it is great you did all that research - especially for a big purchase like a camping fridge. After all, it is something you are going to live with for a while!

I am nearly ready to wire this baby up!
drew.