Solar

Discussion about any electrical topic except 240 volts. Solar, converters, inverters, lights, battery chargers, etc
bagmaker
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Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 4:56 pm
Location: Victoria

Re: Solar

Post by bagmaker »

there are solar panels and there are solar panels.
If you can fit them, fit quality ones.
LG Neons are great but a bit big and domestic voltage
Mrcoolabah1au
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Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:36 pm
Location: Tocumwal on the Murray river

Re: Solar

Post by Mrcoolabah1au »

Been watching YouTube videos on victron stuff to get this shunt working 🤔
Coolabah1au
Wayne nini
Mrcoolabah1au
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Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:36 pm
Location: Tocumwal on the Murray river

Re: Solar

Post by Mrcoolabah1au »

Just switch the fridge off after three days if it’s sunny tomorrow maybe the solar will work 🙏
Coolabah1au
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T1 Terry
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Re: Solar

Post by T1 Terry »

bagmaker wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 6:37 pm there are solar panels and there are solar panels.
If you can fit them, fit quality ones.
LG Neons are great but a bit big and domestic voltage
When it comes to rooftop panels, agree completely, very hard to go past Tindo panels because they are very well made and a local product.
When it comes to small RV type panels, the difference between cheap and expensive can often be related to how close to the truth the seller is when putting the specs on the back of the panel. Easiest way to determine if the panel you are buying is close to the output claimed, look at the dimensions and type of modules. Mono crystalline are a bit smaller than multi crystalline, but not by a large margin when you are looking at 60w panels. If you find a panel a lot smaller in dimensions it is more likely to be a 40w or 50w panel labelled as a 60w panel or complete garbage that someone is trying to get rid of out of stock.
In general the price these days is close enough to $1 per watt, but check the cables coming out of the panel junction box if you plan to link a number of them in parallel or series/parallel to a 40 amp circuit breaker. A lot are fitted with rather poor quality 2.5mm cable, best to replace this with 6mm auto cable (4.35mm sq) or 4mm sq solar cable to ensure the cable doesn't fail after a few mths. 4 mm sq is safe at 40 amps if there is a short circuit or a reverse current flow back into a panel where the solar controller has cut the charging to the battery because it is fully charged. The solar can still generate its max output if it can find some where to go. 40 amps into a 2.5mm solar cable will result in the conductor heating up and oxidising and eventually failing. A lot of panels have been replaced due to failed cables because the panel was not tested at the junction box on the back, just with a clamp meter around the cables.

T1 Terry
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Mrcoolabah1au
Posts: 2699
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:36 pm
Location: Tocumwal on the Murray river

Re: Solar

Post by Mrcoolabah1au »

Wow yes ok thanks for that great message 🤔
Coolabah1au
Wayne nini

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