My solar panel was destroyed in my demasting. It was a 75 watt Shell (oil co.) Looking for a replacement at several different sites. Ebay has a lot of the them giving the same stats, guarantee, etc. as all of them. However being a born skeptic, & finding that these are several hundred dollars less than other sources, wonder what the catch is if any. Any thoughts or experience will be appreciated..
solar panel inquiry
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I find that just about anything you find on ebay has to be sold at rock bottom because its stacked up apples for apples against what basically is The World as your competition. Im usually really pleased to find something i want on ebay is a good 20% to 30% off some online retail establishments.
For instance, I just this past week bought a shore to 15 amp converter plug , brand new in packaging, for $9.99... plus like $4.50 in shipping... At West Marine its around $48
I find a lot of copy-cat products on ebay coming from China. I would insure you are buying what you think you are.
Also consider that many manufacturers do not honor warranties from ebay sellers.
http://reviews.ebay.com/BEWARE-COUNTERFEIT-ITEMS-BEING-SOLD-AS-AUTHENTIC_W0QQugidZ10000000004551474
Also consider that many manufacturers do not honor warranties from ebay sellers.
http://reviews.ebay.com/BEWARE-COUNTERFEIT-ITEMS-BEING-SOLD-AS-AUTHENTIC_W0QQugidZ10000000004551474
The Siemans / Shell solar panels are now under the SolarWorld name brand. They are still the same quality panels and made in the USA.. Our Siemans panel has over 30k nm on it and is no worse for the wear. Kyocera is also another premium brand that holds up well.
Im really picky on feedback scores... I like to see thousands of items sold and 99.5% and higher.. Any lower and ill actually read them.
Not sure if it'll be of any use to you, but I picked up a Ganz 12w maintenance charger for my boat at the Defender sale last week. Construction is solid and power density is very impressive compared to the other maintenance charger panels I had looked at. I was going to get a 5w panel, but this 12w fits the same mounting bracket I had already specd. Their 55w panel is about the same size as the 15w panel that is on the shelf at West Marine, but only weighs 7lbs...
http://search.defender.com/?expression=ganz
http://www.cbcamerica.com/microsite/index.cfm?id=103682
http://search.defender.com/?expression=ganz
http://www.cbcamerica.com/microsite/index.cfm?id=103682
I've been dreaming of adding a solar panel for three years. The pricing has come down quite a bit. I once considered a Kyocera 85W panel @ 410.00 and now I'm able to buy a Kyocera 135W for 380.00.
http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Panels/Kyocera-KD135GX-LPU-135W-12V-Solar-Panel/p7655/
i was hoping to add davits and a solar panel but the admiral says it will make it too claustrophobic. My boat has the sugar scoop transom and only being 30' I tend to agree with her but still hope to go something in the way of a panel.
Question for the electrical gurus: I looked at a Morningstar SunSaver MPPT 15A Charge Controller that has an automatic equalization function.
Is this feature something worth enabling on our boats?
http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Panels/Kyocera-KD135GX-LPU-135W-12V-Solar-Panel/p7655/
i was hoping to add davits and a solar panel but the admiral says it will make it too claustrophobic. My boat has the sugar scoop transom and only being 30' I tend to agree with her but still hope to go something in the way of a panel.
Question for the electrical gurus: I looked at a Morningstar SunSaver MPPT 15A Charge Controller that has an automatic equalization function.
compliments of Morningstar SunSaver manual.
Is this feature something worth enabling on our boats?
What about UL Solar?
The pricing is very competitive.
http://www.ul-solar.com/80_Watt_12_Volt_multicrystalline_solar_panel_TSS_p/stp080p-tss.htm
I did Google UL Solar and saw many compliments on delivery, but no longer term results. No negatives.
Yes, I know the old saw about getting what you pay for, and someone will chime in about "China", but I've sometimes been pleased with under-advertised off-brands and also disappointed by over-advertised name brands. Actual experience would be appreciated.
The pricing is very competitive.
http://www.ul-solar.com/80_Watt_12_Volt_multicrystalline_solar_panel_TSS_p/stp080p-tss.htm
I did Google UL Solar and saw many compliments on delivery, but no longer term results. No negatives.
Yes, I know the old saw about getting what you pay for, and someone will chime in about "China", but I've sometimes been pleased with under-advertised off-brands and also disappointed by over-advertised name brands. Actual experience would be appreciated.
Bob, only if you can't do it with your shorepower charger. I forget whether you're on a mooring or not.
For equalizing batteries, my recommendation is that you need to personally be there, and the battery compartment(s) should be open and the boat opened up for ventilation.
The MPPT controllers have received very good reviews. I wouldn't equlaize if I weren't present.
I equalize our house bank with our Freedom 15 combined inverter charger using our Link 2000 as the controller.
I can only speak from my experience with adding solar panels.
I had the kyocera 130 watt panel and the morningstar controller on my old hunter 30.
Mounted the panel on a brace made from 316 1" tubing from Wm off the stern.
The system worked flawlessly and allowed me to run the fridge almost all the time while on the hook because the panel actuall output " peaak hours a day 4-5 hours " was 7.5 amps.
Morning output with little or no direct sun from over head was about 2 amps.
The morningstar controllers are allmost bullet proof.
That sytem now is about $550 from wholesale solar who i would highly recomend.
I am about to purchase another system from them for my H-31.
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/RV.html#Anchor-The-14210
Bob,
You'd be good to investigate the model with the traditional junction box. Perhaps that company has them but few panels still offer them. The KD135SX-UPU, I think, is the model with the older style junction box which I actually prefer on a boat.
I recently attended a seminar with Bruce Schwab of Genasun. They are building some very sweet MPPT controllers at excellent prices. After speaking with Bruce & the president of the company, a very sharp MIT guy, I was astounded at some of the technology & thought that they have built into in their products. I plan to install a GV-10 MPPT controller on my own boat this spring..
Genasun GV-10 MPPT
Easier to wire.. It is not a huge deal but I do find the traditional style j-box easier to work with on a boat.
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