No. of Solar Panels.

[T1 Terry]

Just make sure the Vmp of the panels is 16.5v or higher, there is a flood of cheap panels with a vmp of 12v on the market at the moment, they are useless for charging 12v batteries, when the panels warm up the Vmp drops to 10v or lower, you can't charge anything bigger than an 8v battery with that, just a waste of real estate and added weight.

[bellett65]

Blurb reads as follows

Mono-Crystalline 200W
Size 1580 X 808 X 35 mm Weight 15.6Kg
Max Power Voltage - 18.7V Max Power Current -10.7A
Open Circuit Voltage - 22.6V Short Circuit Current - 11.1A
Module Efficiency 17.3% Number of Cells - 72
Tolerance Wattage + 0-10W
Cables Lenght -900mm
Allowable Hail Load - Steel ball falls down from 1M height

Had a good look at the workshop where getting bits done. Some interesting vans stripped naked of cladding. What a wiring nightmare. I thought I was a bit untidy with mine.

Peter

[bob r]

terry is rite I got 2 100w panels from oz plaza would not charge a 12v battery
they gave me a full refund
bob

[bellett65]

terry is rite I got 2 100w panels from oz plaza would not charge a 12v battery
they gave me a full refund
bob

It is unfortunate that these things happen. Luckily the ones I have ordered are reasonably local with a real estate address that I can go to should they not function correctly. I got stung yesterday with a kettle, I bought an 1100watt one for the van. The store was not familiar to me, when I went to pay I found it was a local store, 850 metres away using a different name. When I checked they have 2 stores on EBay. Bugger cost me another $6.95 postage.

Peter

[bellett65]

Well the mobile gin palace is at the workshop. The guy was bit shocked when he saw the size of the panels. We both agreed that he will get them all mounted somehow. It may mean moving the little ones (2x80watt) to another spot. So in a few weeks, he is busier than a one arm paperhanger. We should have 560 watts on the roof. They should work better as they will be closer to the sun due to the van getting lifted 100mm

Peter

[BruceS]

Good show!
That should keep them batteries nice and warm!!
Funny how so many people expect a minimal number of panels to do the job.
Might have to use the brakes more now the tyres aren't rubbing anymore!!

[BobnBev]

Hi All,
There just aint any way of saying the more panels the better, Saw a van last month that had 1.5 Kw on his roof,vir a 60 Plastronic, BUT the batterys were 2 ,250 amph,6 volt LA....Weight ( think about it)
When I said that I had the same out put in battery but at a weight of 28 Kgs, he sort of just looked at me as to say ,right... I had to be telling porkys...
Any how the genny hasnt been started for 2 weeks now, the sun has been so good to us..
Big smiles..
Bob n Bev...

[bellett65]

I am hoping the reputed inefficiences of flat panels is at least had true or I might have to upgrade the dingo. We shall see when it all comes back

Peter

[Newcastle George]

I performed a test yesterday by inclining one of my two 250 watt 24volt panels toward the sun and the amps rose from 9 to 13.

George

[T1 Terry]

I am hoping the reputed inefficiences of flat panels is at least had true or I might have to upgrade the dingo. We shall see when it all comes back

Peter

You already control a solid state relay with the Dingo don't you? That system is open ended. I have 2.5kW controlled by a PL20 at the moment, now the big gum tree has been cut down it will really get a work out..... if the sun stays out long enough that is