Solar Panel Extension Cord

[MtnDon]

Slo, I agree wholeheartedly with tony re harbor freight and solar. Overpriced and, IMO, junky. I've not bought from solarblvd myself but have had them recommended.

FWIW, many years ago I had two of those panels used in the HF kit. After about 3 years the output had fallen by almost 1/3.

The solar blvd product that tony linked to are much better panels, IMO. That they already fold up is a bonus. All you need to complete a charging setup is a charge controller and some wire. A CClike this would handle that panel set nicely. Those guys also sell Steca which are very good. You just need to make sure the CC can handle the maximum amperage & voltage output of the panels.

Even amazon.com has better deals on PV than HF. They sell a lot of Renogy. FWIW, Renogy also sells from their own website; prices are about the same as amazon but amazon has much better customer service. One of the main reasons I buy a lot from amazon is their service.

Amazon has a 100 watt kit for under $180 right nowfor example. It does not fold though. This one does fold; costs more but still under $250 with CC. I believe shipping is free on that.


FYI, the cost per watt is much higher on small panels like the 15 watt ones in that HF kit. The larger the panel the less the per watt cost.

[dales133]

I'd make a shortish one and buy an anderson extension lead off ebay.
If they aren't common on us ebay try aussie ebay.youll get a short one with anderson one end and bare wires the other too

[Vedette]

Just picked up the Anderson style ends from our local Automotive Supply store on the weekend. They were so cheap, I bought enough to make a short adaptor to plug into Miss Piggy and a long extension cord for those times when we find ourselves to far into the shade (now that I know there is very little voltage drop).
And for the record (now that we have started discussing Solar Panels in this thread) we purchased a Samlex 90 Watt Portable Kit. It is designed and built in Germany and assembled and distributed right here in B.C.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[dales133]

Good score mate you won't regret the anderson plugs, being ambidextrous you can use them for all kinds of things.best connection from trailer to car for charging or leaching power too

[desertmoose]

Brian:

You might want to take a look at Handy Bob's posts. He's a big advocate for larger than normal wire.

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/the ... -puzzle-2/

I went with the 6 ga jumper cable partly because of what he had to say. (the biggest reason was it was cheap...)

Sam

[gudmund]

Vedette quote .... "we always carry a couple hundred feet of extension cord" ....Oh do you now?? I remember a time when that was not true!!! It was the "guy" parked next door that just happened to have thrown a loose hundred foot extension into the back of a S-10 as he was leaving his house enroute for Lakehead, Calif. in 2013 that powered up Miss Piggy's ice box on her first trip down the road. Of course, this was about a day after it was first needed but the "guy" in the S-10 didn't even remember having it until someone said the key word of "EXTENSION CORD" before he remembered it. Another one of those "mature memory moments" T.Hoefer

[lrrowe]

Ahh, really like "mature" moment over "senior" moment. Good one!

[gudmund]

In 2013, I was NOT a senior yet - I was "only" 59 than so it was a mature memory moment, not 60 yet as I am now (it depends on what age you define a senior - FYI "Jack in the Box" hamburger joint says 55 is a senior for a 10% discount)

[lrrowe]

I guess that makes me "very senior".
I don't like that.

[Vedette]

And Ted
It was that first camping trip with Miss Piggy?? But, we did add the extension cord to our check list after we had to borrow yours to steal power from the closest bathroom.
Now as seasoned TD campers, you will notice a couple of things about us......one we bring a lot of "Glamping " things (lots of extension cord)....two we are always camped close to Bathrooms (powered or not).....Three if not in the more expensive "Powered Site" close enough for our couple hundred feet of extension cord to reach ( Thanks Maureen for unplugging us and rolling up the cord before campground operators found us plugged in to the golf cart chargers the morning we slept in at Applegate).........Four we always camped next to some one with a Solar panel (Thanks Marianne) or a Generator (Thanks Chuck).....Did I mention we are not shy!!
But Thanks for being one of those that has helped us make our camping experiences fun, no matter what we have forgotten!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[gudmund]

If I ever need a longer cord, I know now where to get one being I only carry a 25 footer (if I haven't thrown in an extra one which I have only done "once" and that was in 2013 heading for Lakehead - in 2014 it was the extra hitch receiver I just happened to have in the tongue box when it was needed heading home after the IRG when another teardroper (Dean & Deb Bessom) hit the deer which made it possible for me to tow his trailer for him) I guess the moral to "our" story's is - you can never be without to much stuff!!!!!! like garbage bag holders - garbage bags - spare tires - air compressors etc., etc., etc......................