Solar roof top kits

greybeard23 · Feb 21, 2013

I have been searching for a reasonable solar panel set up.  I have a couple AGM 105 amp hr. batteries and an MPPT 20 amp controller.  But it seems the prices on panels are very high, plus getting them shipped. I have searched as much as I can on monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels and I am not sure I want to spend the money on polycrystalline, plus the efficiency differs from about 13 % to 18%. Well, I came across this person on EBAY that has some good ratings, and the shipping is free. Here is a 100 watt complete kit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Ki...pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f22634005 Here is a 200 watt kit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/281061525755?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 And here is his store for just kits, from 60 watts on up. http://stores.ebay.com/Renogy-Solar/Solar-Kit-/_i.html?_fsub=3929454013 They all seem quite reasonable, especially when you consider shipping.  The charge controller is a PWM, but for the price it is still the best deals I have found so far. What do you think, are there any out there less expensive?

AltTransBikes · Feb 21, 2013

Interested and subscribed.

Cold Brian · Feb 21, 2013

Thanks for the link! Good timing too; I am just shopping around now for a kit for my van. Seems like really good prices. Anybody have any experience with these guys?

rokguy · Feb 21, 2013

Hi guys,  Just my thoughts but.....................100w divided by 12v = 8.333amps His rated optimum power is 5 amps and short protect rated power is 5.75amps (his specs)  A good 100w panel should produce more than that. maybe around 7amps What effectively he is selling is 200w and you get 10amps, I get proven 5 + amps out (each) of a 64w unisolar armorphous panels.   I would look for the best quality panels you can afford as it will save equipment and batteries down the track. Plus you'll get a 25 year warranty Geoff

bee · Feb 22, 2013

its optimum voltage times amps.  Optimum voltage is 18.9 not 12v. 18.9v is a little high for a pwm charge controller. I would google the solar panel brand to see if they are worth anything. I doubt the charge controller is of much value.

rokguy · Feb 22, 2013

Still sounds to cheap to me.

lost_bone · Feb 22, 2013

make sure y get "Mono-Crystalline: for cell solar  it get more power than other kind of solar  more info http://www.goalzero.com/learn.html  look for "solar101"  helpful info! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

greybeard23 · Feb 23, 2013

Well, after searching around a bit more and trying to research these things, I think I might settle on one like this. http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/page_110_43/go150_solar_panel_kit.html It is less watts, but I don't have that much for power needs, an Engel frig, some 12v lighting and an occasional printer I need to run as well as a magic Bullet for my morning fruit smoothies. It is a bit more money, but will only need to install one panel instead of two, and it seems to have much better ratings than the two 100 watt panels.

bee · Feb 23, 2013

lost_bone said:
  make sure y get "Mono-Crystalline: for cell solar  it get more power than other kind of solar  more info http://www.goalzero.com/learn.html  look for "solar101"  helpful info! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

Thats kind of over simplified.  There are plenty of polycrystaline panels that perform near identical to mono.  I would say there is a good amount of overlap in performance.

wrcsixeight · Feb 23, 2013

I think a lot of solar "kits" mean you are paying extra for the convenience of buying everything at once from one supplier. Knowing what specific panels will work with what charge controllers, with room for additional panels later, could easily yield better performance for the same or even less money spent.  So either pay extra for someone else to make a kit that will work adequately together, or do some more research and shopping on your own and find you will have a better system that you also understand better.  If you have not yet purchased the Engel, re consider, as the sawafuji compressors make a lot of noise and vibration.  My Norcold (same compressor as Engel) lasted 5 years, buzzing away, vibrating the whole van for 20 minutes out of every hour.  I spent way too much time and effort trying to lessen these annoyances with only less than satisfactory results, though I convinced myself otherwise. I now have a Danfoss powered Vitrifrigo.  It is much quieter, and is slightly more efficient.  Also, while having any solar is better than having no solar, one should have enough solar for the battery bank.  100 watts per 100 amp hours of storage is a good figure, to keep the batteries happiest for the longest timespan.  I have 198 watts for 230 amp hours.  Works fine, but is shy of the figure above and in non stellar solar conditions, is inadequate when laptop usage is heavy and the sun is not shining all day long.

rokguy · Feb 24, 2013

Yeh, I agree, do not buy a engel frig, as wrcsixeight say's. I have two and they are c**p  use alot more power than stated are noisy and vibrate . I found also the bigger built in ones are not CE approved (niether are most of the small ones) which means they can interfere with other 12v devices, in my case CB, TV, radio in the motorhome and even worse my marine radio in the yacht. In europe its against the law to sell devices which are not CE approved. Engel were selling theses through mairne chandlerys.  I will be replacing these also. greybeard, When you say you won't be using much power, think again as the frig alone is the biggest power draw there is, ( next to bilge pumps) it will surprise you, 3-5 amps for at least 12 hours a day.(more when its hot) Geoff

owl · Feb 24, 2013

A good quality panel, controller, wire and fittings can be had for less than any of these kits. It is simple to make a stand so the panel can be set in the sun and the vehicle parked in the shade. Even when it is only 75 degrees out your vehicle will be too hot to be comfortable for you or your pets. Permanently mounting on roofs isn't needed unless you need a large array of panels for some reason. Not trying to ruffle feathers, just adding to the mix.

Willy · Feb 24, 2013

 I run abt 180W using 2 panels (Unisolar amorphous and a polycrystalline) with 2 battery banks running off a PWM dual battery controller that can handle up to 30v. One deep cycle 12v 100AH for the fridge (Waeco) and 2x100AH 12v deep cycles in parallel (matched) for everything else. Last summer I was running abt 110W and had power to spare. That was with running my 18W roof fan constantly, during the day. ..Willy.     

Ballenxj · Feb 24, 2013

So Willy, You have three deep cycle batteries? What size RV do you have, and do you keep the batteries inside, or in a compartment outside? I had three batteries in a motor home. Two were T105's and the other was for the engine alone. Also, what is the ideal sized solar system for keeping cellphones and laptops charged, while still being able to also listen to music on the built in stereo? I'd also like to be able to run a microwave a couple times a day. -Bruce

Ballenxj · Feb 26, 2013

PS. lost_bone, thanks for the link to goal zero. Just checked it out and I like what I saw. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

Ballenxj · Mar 1, 2013

While we're on the subject of roof top solar kits, does anyone have photos of theirs mounted on the roof? I'm looking for ideas for mounting them while maintaining a bit of stealth. I'm thinking of coming up with a roof rack with a raised flat edge around the outside perimeter that would hide the panels from view unless you are straight above them. Thoughts? Photos? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

coultergeist · Apr 20, 2013

The best deal for a reasonable amount of solar I've found so far is on Amazon.  It is two 145 watt panels by DM Solar.  The set is $230 plus another $120 in shipping.  That's 290 watts of power for $350 delivered.  Haven't found any better deals so far.  Go to Amazon and search for 145 solar.  It should pull the set up.  Every once in a while they are out of stock.  Just keep checking back if so.  They usually show up again in a week or two.

greybeard23 · Apr 20, 2013

I finally made a decision on full kits and after much reading decided to go with a 245 watt panel, which cost me 229.00.  Picked it up in Mass. at AltE.  I had already purchased an MPPT controller, before I knew that much about them.  Was going to buy a Morning side, but decided to go with what I have till it doesn't work anymore.  I also added a tre metric monitor.  Also running two 105ah AGM's from Sam's Club.  Probably not the best out there at 165.00 apeice, but living on an extremely limited budget, they will also do until they don't work. I mounted the panel directly on the roof using door hinges, so that I can still tilt them. This is what I have on my 28 year old van. <img rel="lightbox" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/1534640" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/1534642" class="bbc_img">

Willy · Apr 20, 2013

Look for local outfits. This is where I got my 120W panel.. and he delivered too!! ..Willy.  http://www.windturbine.ca/sun_panels.html

Ballenxj · Apr 21, 2013

Congrats Greybeard23, Let us know how that system works out for you. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

Solar roof top kits

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