New vandweller - Solar questions!

[andyhor]

Heeeey everyone! My name is Andrew, I just made an account, and had a hand full of posts before the forum revamp, where I lost them. In any case, I've recently started vandwelling while going to Oregon State, and I'm doing the research for my solar setup now. I've read a lot of threads here, but wanted to verify some stuff before I made any purchases.

I've been looking at panel prices quite a bit, and found one place that has some seemingly crazy-cheap prices: http://www.infinigi.com/
As I understand, <$1.00/watt is a good deal when purchasing panels, and they seem to have a good amount here for that cheap. I was just concerned that they might not be good quality. Any tips?

I figured I'd grab a Morningstar charge controller, since that seems to be the standard name, but I wasn't sure how high of a rating I'd need. I'm thinking of starting with a 245w (or so) panel, and adding more as I need them. As for batteries, I was thinking of grabbing some fairly generic 12v deep cycles, though I've seen Bob say that he likes the 2 6v setup.
No idea on the cables yet, I just found out what MC means, and I'll probably research that tomorrow, haha. Other than that...thanks for your help!

 

[Reducto]

A few thoughts-
Those prices are very good, but check shipping costs and of course check for reviews on that company and on the makers of those panels. Be sure to check craigslist to see if there are any local deals you can pick up in person. I found mine when I was in San Francisco - there was a dealer there who bought up cosmetic seconds to resell. I got a good quality panel for $1/watt, no taxes or shipping.

Don't buy the controller until you know what panel you'll get first. Power = voltage times current, so for a given power rating a 12v panel will put out twice the current as a 24v panel and require twice the controller. Pick the panel, see what the rated voltage and current is and get a controller with higher numbers for both.

My Morningstar MPPT controller is still doing great after 2 years.

The 12v batteries will work fine, but if the 6v are around the same price I'd go for those. The only difference between the setups is which terminals the wires go to.

 

[Blue]

Really dont know anything about solar, sorry but I do want to expirement with lithium ions some day. BTW Harbor Freight generally has some killer deals on solar, not the best set ups but dirt cheap.

 

[Darth_Muerte]

I hear that their controllers are absolute crap though.

 

[rubbertramp]

just picked up a 100 watt solar set up from windy nation comes all cables charge controller , panel and mounts for $160 free shipping from amazon
gonna add another panel eventually
its a great deal

 

[Lucky mike]

buying solar from Harbor Freight is ok if you have money to burn....if you are serious buy the good stuff elsewhere one piece at a time til you have it all.....if you blow 200 on HF's 60 watt kit you bought nothing......if you take the same 200 and buy a good 160 watt panel and then save for a decent controller you now have a workable starter system.....IMHO

if you just want it all without beating your head on the wall and dont really want to shop for it , home depot has a 200 watt system with everything you need minus batteries & labor....it will at that wattage give you a minimal within reason charge on an average day for 2 batteries.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-200-Watt-Off-Grid-Solar-Panel-Kit-GS-200-KIT/203505912

not the best but it works well........you can do better , if you shop piece by piece ....just remember the cheaper you go and the lower the wattage the less battery recovery your going to get.

solar is there to charge the batteries not run your needs.....the more batteries means more panels......think about it, solar is conservative green energy....the key word being conservative !!!

 

[Donedirtcheap]

The way I understand it is the panel and controller should be part of the long term investment, the batteries are shorter term. Go with good solar components. Read up on MPPT controllers. The first thing you need to do is identify what you want to run and how much power those items consume. You need to TRY to best size your components so you can actually do what you want and not be re buying later. I would go with group 29 deep cycle batteries if money is an issue. Are you going to run just 12 volt items or are you going to invert?

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-How-Big-An-Inverter-Do-I-Need


http://www.solar-electric.com/

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

http://www.rayvaughan.com/battery_safety.htm

 

[akrvbob]

I didn't look at all of the panels, but the two I looked at were high voltage panels, 36 volts. That's normal for big panels. they are designed to go on top of houses in BIG arrays and run long distances. That needs high voltage panels so the size of the cable can be kept small.

Most controllers won't handle high voltages, you have to be sure it will work for 36 volt panels. Usually they are marked as HV or high voltage, but be sure to look at the specs.

Also, big panels can't be shipped UPS or FedEx, they must go freight. It will be very expensive!!
Bob

 

[Willy]

This is what my buddy is thinking of getting http://www.aguasolar.com/viewitem.php?groupid=6&productid=25

 

[andyhor]

Wow! Thanks for all the information/recommendations! Sorry I didn't reply sooner, been hammered with mid terms.
I went to Harbor Freight on a recommendation, but the prices were craaaaaazy high, and the panels weren't that large.

A solar generator?! Wow, that's crazy! Great idea though, I'll look into it, and all of these other links, in my down time.

Thanks again! Weeeee!

 

[David]

Check out solarblvd(.)com they have very good prices on panels and are a legit business. I bought my panels from them.

 

[andyhor]

Thanks for the recommendation!

So far, this is the cheapest panel I've been able to find (pre-shipping, still need to look into that), and from what I can tell (which isn't really much) on the internets, they're not a bad company, and their panels have improved a lot recently.

http://www.affordable-solar.com/Lightway-235w-Poly-Module
These are the specs, which mean very little to me currently:

Key Features

Positive Tolerance 0-5W
Provides our customers with maximum power output

Electric Current Classification
Lightway can classify solar modules based on the value of each module's electric current for customers

Three bus bars ensure high power output of solar modules

Excellent weak light performances

Robust Aluminum Frames (50mm)
Designed for long term strength and stability in adverse environments

Passed the 5400pa Test

Vertically Integrated Automatic Production Line
Allows us to strictly control quality and costs throughout the entire process

Fully Automatic Stringing Machine and Laying up Machine
Guarantees excellent stringing quality and perfect appearance

Electroluminescense (EL) Testing
Tests before and after lamination avoid micro cracks and control the production quality with high efficiency

Wafer and Cell Inspection
Every wafer and cell is inspected individually ensuring consistent performance in the modules

Electrical Characteristics
Maximum Power (Pmax): 235W
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 8.45A
Max-Power Current (Imp): 8A
Open Circuit Voltage: 37.2
Max-Power Voltage (Vmp): 29.6
Module Efficiency: 14.4%
Maximum System Voltage: 600/1000 VDC
Tolerance Rating: (0, +5)W
Operating Temperature: -40-+85C
Over-Current Protection Rating: 15A
Test Condition: STC: AM=1.5, 1000w/m 2, Cell's Temperature: 25C
Mechanical Characteristics
Cell Type: Poly-Crystalline Silicon, 60pcs(6x10)
Cell Size: 156x156mm
Thickness of Glass: 3.2MM
Cable Type: USE-2, UL Certified / 4mm2 TUV Certified
No. of Bypass Diodes: 6/3pcs
Withstand High Wind and Snow Loads: 5400Pa
Temperature Characteristics
Pm Temperature Coefficient: -.44071 %K
ISC Temperature Coefficient: 0.06391 %K
Voc Temperature Coefficient: -0.33453 %K
Packing
Weight: 46 lbs.
Packing: 20 pcs/carton
Dimensions: 65x39x2 in
Warranty
10 years material & workmanship limited warranty
10 years at 90% of minimum rated output
25 years at 80% of minimum rated output

Next-if I'm not mistaken-I should look at charge controllers. Since this is a 24v panel, I'll need to make sure the controller is rated as such, right? Anything else special to look for in a controller? Figured I'd go with Morningstar, since it seems like the popular option. This is the part of the setup I know the least about, I think.

Then, I'll have to figure out what gauge of wire to use, and finally, what batteries to buy. Just wanted to make sure I'm doing this in the proper order, haha. I was thinking of going with 2 6v trojan105's, as they seem to be pretty standard issue as far as golf cart batteries go. Anyone have experience with those?

Thanks again for your help everyone, this is making a huge difference in my decisions. Off to do some more research!

 

[GotSmart]

The T105's are a great product. The T145's are even better, and only 5/8 inch taller. They are $40 more each~~~ Let the place you buy them from know you are using them for solar and they will wave the battery core charge. About $40 each.

I have my eye on those for my set up. I will be purchasing them at the last moment, so I do not have them sitting on a shelf while under warranty. My thought is to get the wires run, along with the breaker box. All I will have to buy will be the batteries, and then on to Arizona to pick up my panels from Northern AZ Wind & Sun. RVBob will be helping me set up this final step. Here is what I have done so far...
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Starting-the-build?highlight=starting

Any questions, just about anyone here can give directions.

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What is this going into?

 

[akrvbob]

That's a high voltage panel so you need a MPPT controller able to handle up to 36 volt. I have a 240 watt panel that is 36 volt and I'm using a Blue Sky that has the designation of "HV" which stands for High Voltage. I am a big fan of Blue Sky!

The main advantage of HV panels is that you can run a long string of them together on a roof and not need a huge wire. A 10 gauge will handle it. From the contoller to the battery it will be 12 volt but it will not be very far so 8 guage should be plenty.

That's a big panel so it will have to go by freight and will be expensive.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

here's a stupid question that has nothing to do with solar panels. what is that little green thing on the op? it's on the heading in the contents also. kind of looks like a bug. kind of made me leery. don't want no bug. highdesertranger

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it did it again and I asked before but got no answer. why does this forum edit out the word stu-pid. it's not a cuss word, is it not pc. I guess I am naïve on this. highdesertranger

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I got a question too, while we are talking solar, about those stick on solar panels, I know some of you have installed them for others, I was wondering if they heat up the roof, as most of the normal solar panels have a space between the roof and the panel for cooling?? I like the idea of those stick on panels, I know they are expensive, but it would be two strikes against them if they turned my ceiling into an oven. anyone know:huh:

 

[Willy]

Someone, who has those Unisolar self adhesive panels, commented earlier that they DO heat up the roof. Also, make pretty damned sure that you're gonna keep the vehicle. ..Willy.

 

[macmccune]

The T105's are a great product. The T145's are even better, and only 5/8 inch taller. They are $40 more each~~~ Let the place you buy them from know you are using them for solar and they will wave the battery core charge. About $40 each.

I have my eye on those for my set up. I will be purchasing them at the last moment, so I do not have them sitting on a shelf while under warranty. My thought is to get the wires run, along with the breaker box. All I will have to buy will be the batteries, and then on to Arizona to pick up my panels from Northern AZ Wind & Sun. RVBob will be helping me set up this final step. Here is what I have done so far...
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Starting-the-build?highlight=starting

Any questions, just about anyone here can give directions.

---

What is this going into?

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I didnt know you could get the core charge waived.. I guess they only want the other battery/batteries if they exist lol. Good to know

 

[GotSmart]

The core charge is only waived on a solar application. Lead is a high dollar recyclable material now. No more lead mines in the lower 48 states.

On a regular purchase, you have to pay core.

 

[akrvbob]

I have two friends with the Unisolar panels and have installed them on a friends van. To be honest it never occured to me to ask if they heated the van, but neither of them ever mentioned it so that make me think it couldn't be that big a deal.

Next time I see them again I will ask specifically about that. Don't know when that will be though!
Bob