UniSolar Flexable Panels
- Thread starter Patrick Lombard
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Durable
I can attest to their durability. One winter I was travelling through southern AZ in my van (an old VW) when a bunch of the local boys decided to express their dislike for 'hippies' with a barage of rocks - some as large as coconuts. Several dents and broken windows later, the roof mounted Unisolar panel came through fine with barely a scratch. I highly recommend them.
I can attest to their durability. One winter I was travelling through southern AZ in my van (an old VW) when a bunch of the local boys decided to express their dislike for 'hippies' with a barage of rocks - some as large as coconuts. Several dents and broken windows later, the roof mounted Unisolar panel came through fine with barely a scratch. I highly recommend them.
Unisolar Panels
I bought a Unisolar 32W flexible panel on eBay about 4 years ago to supplement the limited charging capacity of my outboard's alternator (5 amps) on my Cat27. The panel works well, as far as it goes. An ammeter shows it put out out about 2 amps in good, direct sunlight, a little less than the 32W (2.66 amps at 12V) advertised would indicate. The panel mounted easily to the top of my dodger with some brackets I bought. I also bought an "extension cord" arrangement (10ft I believe) and cigar lighter plug, so the panel and is easily movable around the boat to get the best view of the sun, and easily connected to the system thru the cigar lighter. When not needed, it rolls up on itself, and the extension cord wraps around it to store in the V-berth. Kind of expensive (about $350) for the entire arrangement on eBay. And with such limited charging capacity of my OB, and limited space to mount other panels on my C27, the flexible arrangement works best for me. If I had the room, I'd buy a hard panel. They're less expensive and more powerful. But if I had the room, then I'd likely have an inboard with a big alternator, and wouldn't need the supplemental charging at all. Good luck!
I bought a Unisolar 32W flexible panel on eBay about 4 years ago to supplement the limited charging capacity of my outboard's alternator (5 amps) on my Cat27. The panel works well, as far as it goes. An ammeter shows it put out out about 2 amps in good, direct sunlight, a little less than the 32W (2.66 amps at 12V) advertised would indicate. The panel mounted easily to the top of my dodger with some brackets I bought. I also bought an "extension cord" arrangement (10ft I believe) and cigar lighter plug, so the panel and is easily movable around the boat to get the best view of the sun, and easily connected to the system thru the cigar lighter. When not needed, it rolls up on itself, and the extension cord wraps around it to store in the V-berth. Kind of expensive (about $350) for the entire arrangement on eBay. And with such limited charging capacity of my OB, and limited space to mount other panels on my C27, the flexible arrangement works best for me. If I had the room, I'd buy a hard panel. They're less expensive and more powerful. But if I had the room, then I'd likely have an inboard with a big alternator, and wouldn't need the supplemental charging at all. Good luck!
Solar Panel
We have one of the flexible ones and it works good for us. We don't have alot of power usage but we put it on when we leave and have never had a dead battery. I hooked it up so that I put it over the companion way hatch and run the wire inside, from there it runs back with the rest of the wires to the battery. It came with a plug so I just unplug it when I'm done. The only thing I want to do yet is get one adaptor so I can hook it up the the battery for the dingy. We have a little electric motor for it. They are tough and work good IMHO. Rob
We have one of the flexible ones and it works good for us. We don't have alot of power usage but we put it on when we leave and have never had a dead battery. I hooked it up so that I put it over the companion way hatch and run the wire inside, from there it runs back with the rest of the wires to the battery. It came with a plug so I just unplug it when I'm done. The only thing I want to do yet is get one adaptor so I can hook it up the the battery for the dingy. We have a little electric motor for it. They are tough and work good IMHO. Rob
Have two mounted on the side decks
Walk on them all the time when going forward. Very tough. Heard of one owner who epoxied it to his fordeck and it's been OK for several years at the time I heard it. I have 2 of the 32Watt panels and they will put out about 2 amps each in direct sunlight. I also mount them on the boom when at anchor to keep them from being shaded. They're expensive but they do work well for me.
Walk on them all the time when going forward. Very tough. Heard of one owner who epoxied it to his fordeck and it's been OK for several years at the time I heard it. I have 2 of the 32Watt panels and they will put out about 2 amps each in direct sunlight. I also mount them on the boom when at anchor to keep them from being shaded. They're expensive but they do work well for me.
I agree
Great product. They replaced an aging one for me a few years ago, no questions asked. Only damage was wear and tear but within their long warranty. How can you go wrong? Stu
Great product. They replaced an aging one for me a few years ago, no questions asked. Only damage was wear and tear but within their long warranty. How can you go wrong? Stu
Bought Two
Bought two of the USF-11 10.3W, 12V FLEXIBLE THINFILM MOD for 127.00 each from this supplier. Thanks to all for the input. http://shop.altenergystore.com/items~Cc~SPFLEXI~Bc~UNISOLAR~Tp~~BrandName~~CatName~Flexible+%2F+Rollable+Solar+Panels.htm
Bought two of the USF-11 10.3W, 12V FLEXIBLE THINFILM MOD for 127.00 each from this supplier. Thanks to all for the input. http://shop.altenergystore.com/items~Cc~SPFLEXI~Bc~UNISOLAR~Tp~~BrandName~~CatName~Flexible+%2F+Rollable+Solar+Panels.htm
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