Portable Solar Panel

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Im looking at getting a portable solar panel to put a little bit extra charge into the aux battery when stationary as its a bit smaller (the battery) than I would want! I would like one of the smaller soft fold panels as opposed to the hard panels, also with a built in regulator so its basically just plug and play, well charge.

I was thinking something along the lines of the following link:

http://www.projecta.com.au/Products/...SolarPanelKits

Whats everyone using and whats recommended?

Cheers

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

A fair few guys over on myswag use them and rate them well as a mid-range unit. There are better units for 3x the price but these seem to hold up well. There's a pretty long thread from a guy who sells them, but is has a fair bit of feedback on the performance from him and others.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=33992.0

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Kenny I just bought a 200W nuclear power station to augment the panel on the camper. Bought from these guys:

http://www.solarcampingaustralia.com...e1f34712bedea5

These are their soggy panels. No idea about them but based on the panels I bought worth checking out.

Not the cheapest but the panels and fittings are very good quality. And my camper batteries are back to 100%!

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

My concern with these lightweight panels is how they'd stand up to a stiff breeze. I suppose you could always peg them down.

[snewby Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close snewby]

I run a 120 watt folding panel when camping and it keeps my second battery at 100%. similar ones are now 140W
Google 140W SOLAR FOLDING PANEL KIT ....but prices are around $230.
These include a controller and usually 5m lead and anderson plug.
In my case I have taken the power from before the controller and feed it direct to the Ctek D250S dual dc/dc unit I run in the car to feed the second battery. (which incorporates its own MPPT controller)
Yes, it is a bit awkward to carry, but I have found a place where it fits in-back.
I set it pointing at the rising sun each night so I dont have to get up too early, and know it is gathering Volts while I am still asleap... usually move it around again to track the sun at midday and late afternoon.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I have a 200 watt folding panel by ITech World. In built regulator complete with multiple plugs - Anderson, cig lighter and alligator clips. I just plug it into an Anderson plug fitted to my bull bar. I also have 3 x 50 watt BP panels for my CT. The newer 200 watt panel has a higher output than the BPs which are about 10 years old. I run 2 x Engels, an electric water pump and a few LED lights so the panels easily recharge the batteries.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Cheers for the info so far, few more things to look into!

Being a auto electrically/12v challenged (hence wanting a simple plug and play option) any info is much appreciated!!

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Or try this. Permanently mounted on custom rack. Only problem is shade, car needs to be in the sun. Ran the lead down the back door gap, into the bumper bar and back up into the rear guard to the second fuse box.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Good idea Rusty but I have a platform and throw my maxtrax/second spare camp chairs etc up top.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

I have the 120 watt model and have been using it for about 5 years, it fits in a pla e in the back next to the fridge and it keeps the camper at 100%, and i also have the redarc 108 watt folding mat i use for the prado, can live off the grid no problems.

Cheers Derek

[oceanracer Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanracer]

I use the 120w version , it's plugged into a portable battery then I use the power from there
http://www.anacondastores.com/campin...t/p/BP90041889
#$561.99

At the moment

[Hally Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hally]

I have the korr lighting 150w solar folding blanket has built in reg. I paid 500 i think but was a show special retail is around 800ish just google korr solar blanket

[Drift Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drift]

Have one of the 120watt Projectas. Works well. Has been used to charge flat car and bike batteries as well as camping duties. Always performs well. I'm going to make up some new stand pegs though as the ones that come with it are useless for sand. Also going to make up some other leads to bypass the built in controller and go straight to an MPPT unit.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Cheers for all the info, think I have decided on the Projecta 120w, just need to find the best price. Maybe boxing day sales!!

[Drift Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drift]

Best price I found was from an eBay seller. Supplied and delivered to Perth for under $580