Solar panel and controller
- Hoppy
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Solar panel and controller
I fitted a Solar panel to an over-landing vehicle that we kitted this weekend, I've read all the pros and cons, but i had to test it myself before i would believe all the claims.
It's a 90w panel with a simple controller/ regulator that a friend of mine, that fits them on farms, suggested, the panel is riveted flat onto the roof rack and it charges a 658 battery and runs a 40l Engel fridge. We ran the fridge with the dual battery system disconnected, Thys and I did some tests and the voltage dropped to 12.5 overnight and picked right up to 13.8V before 10h00 in the morning. That means you can camp without starting the vehicle, what a bargain!
I am convinced, at R2800.00 for the panel and controller, it's my next upgrade, must fix Luxter first.
It's a 90w panel with a simple controller/ regulator that a friend of mine, that fits them on farms, suggested, the panel is riveted flat onto the roof rack and it charges a 658 battery and runs a 40l Engel fridge. We ran the fridge with the dual battery system disconnected, Thys and I did some tests and the voltage dropped to 12.5 overnight and picked right up to 13.8V before 10h00 in the morning. That means you can camp without starting the vehicle, what a bargain!
I am convinced, at R2800.00 for the panel and controller, it's my next upgrade, must fix Luxter first.
aev@iburst.co.za
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Very interesting, will follow this one.
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Re: Solar panel and controller
En as jy beter wil gaan kry die MPPT regulator - bietjie duurder maar baie die moeite werd, veral met bewolkte weer.
- Hoppy
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Verduidelik bietjie asb.
aev@iburst.co.za
The trouble with trouble is...it always starts as fun.
The most precious jewels you will ever wear around your neck is the arms of your children...
" I WOULD RATHER SIT ON THE TAILGATE OF MY HILUX WITH A BEER AND A CHOP, WATCHING A FIRE, THAN DINE IN THE BEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN "
- Johan Kriel
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Ry eers bietjie weg uit die Kaap waar dit warmer is, dan gaan daai 90 watt nie meer genoeg wees nie, as die vraag na koue goed meer is en die yskas langer moet loop. Maar as jy n uur of twee per dag bietjie ry en met die alternator laai, geen probleem.
Johan Kriel
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Re: Solar panel and controller
My een 90watt paneel was te lig in die broek om die engel gevries te hou in Mosambiek.As jy die engel net wil gebruik as 'n yskas kan dit werk,maar nie vir vries nie.Jy sal so 2-3 dae kry as jy hom wil gevries he met die 90watt.
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Re: Solar panel and controller
I am glad we had the opportunity to test the system first hand. I will also upgrade to something like this, but Johan I agree with you. Our tests were limited in Cape climate conditions. This system will enhance my already (sort of) adequate battery charging system which almost stood the test of the Kaokoland heat.
One can always add another panel should the 90W prove to be inadequate. What I like about this panel is the size. Hoppy what is the dimensions?
What is very important is to realise that you are out in the bush, and you need to manage power very strictly as it is not unlimited. Your fridge is not connected to mains, and should not be opened every 10 minutes to get a block of ice out. If you do that even a 180W panel wont be enough..
One can always add another panel should the 90W prove to be inadequate. What I like about this panel is the size. Hoppy what is the dimensions?
What is very important is to realise that you are out in the bush, and you need to manage power very strictly as it is not unlimited. Your fridge is not connected to mains, and should not be opened every 10 minutes to get a block of ice out. If you do that even a 180W panel wont be enough..
Thys de Jager
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email: thys@teamoffroad.co.za
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CEO and Refreshments Manager at Team Offroad.
2010 Hilux 3.0 D4D D/C 4x4 with GOMAD "Brood" Canopy. Tripod.
1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 Sport. The original SFA. AGA... Gooi kole
email: thys@teamoffroad.co.za
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- Johan Kriel
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Volgens engel se syfers sal n 90 Watt paneel die yskas by setting 3 en 25 grade buite temp dit kan maak, of met setting 1 en 40grade.
So met n 90 watt paneel kan hy as yskas (setting 1) dit dalk maak as jy mooi werk, maar as vrieskas glad nie.
Daar volgens dink ek hier by 120 watt en meer watt panele kan jy onafhanklik wees.
So met n 90 watt paneel kan hy as yskas (setting 1) dit dalk maak as jy mooi werk, maar as vrieskas glad nie.
Daar volgens dink ek hier by 120 watt en meer watt panele kan jy onafhanklik wees.
Last edited by Johan Kriel on Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Johan Kriel
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Ek het 2x80W panele wat lekker op die canopy pas. Hulle is in n raam gemonteer en kan maklik afgehaal en op die 20m draad uitgestoot word - baie gerieflik.
EN soos ek gese het maak seker dis n MPPT-tipe, nie die gewone een nie.
EN soos ek gese het maak seker dis n MPPT-tipe, nie die gewone een nie.
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Allan, as ek reg verstaan is MPPT controller meer effektief as die ander modelle. As daar min son is is die volts meer en die amps minder, of so iets, maar die goed laai met min son.Hoppy wrote:Verduidelik bietjie asb.
Help ook as die son nie 90 grade op die paneel skyn nie en dus nie optimum krag uitsit nie, maw as die paneel plat op die voertuig of sleepwa gemonteer is.
Ek glo hier is ouens wat dit beter kan verduidelik, maar die MPPT is ongeveer 30% meer effektief. Maak die somme, dan is dit duidelik waarom 'n 90 w pannel vir party ouens werk en vir sommige te min is vir min of meer dieselfde toerusting.
Word te vinnig oud en te stadig wys.
- Johan Kriel
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Re: Solar panel and controller
The MPPT controler gebruik die hoer volts wat nie gebruik word deur ander controllers, wat die paneel uitsit en skakel dit om in amps. As die paneel 18 volt uit sit met 5 amps kry jy 90 watt x ~.95% effency, dus oneveer 90/14x.95 = 6 amp is, en hy gaan altyd probeer die meeste energy uitstuur wat beskikbaar is, waar n ander controler byv net 14 volt wat die battery kan vat x 5 amp gaan uitstuur wat maar 70 Watt is.
Johan Kriel
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Dankie, hier het ek iets geleer, waar is die best plek om hierdie toeristing te koop?Johan Kriel wrote:The MPPT controler gebruik die hoer volts wat nie gebruik word deur ander controllers, wat die paneel uitsit en skakel dit om in amps. As die paneel 18 volt uit sit met 5 amps kry jy 90 watt x ~.95% effency, dus oneveer 90/14x.95 = 6 amp is, en hy gaan altyd probeer die meeste energy uitstuur wat beskikbaar is, waar n ander controler byv net 14 volt wat die battery kan vat x 5 amp gaan uitstuur wat maar 70 Watt is.
- Hoppy
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Re: Solar panel and controller
Wat kos die MPPT controler, is dit koste effektief of is dit ook so duur soos die dc/dc charger wat meer kos as die 90W controler en paneel saam?
My gewone system met een "Cole Hersee" solenoid wat aankom as ek die ign aanskakel, werk al vir 10 jaar, maar dit sal nice wees as ek net een keer per dag hoef te start, so ek soek nie die beste en duurste nie, goedkoop, efektief en eenvoudig doen dit vir my.
My gewone system met een "Cole Hersee" solenoid wat aankom as ek die ign aanskakel, werk al vir 10 jaar, maar dit sal nice wees as ek net een keer per dag hoef te start, so ek soek nie die beste en duurste nie, goedkoop, efektief en eenvoudig doen dit vir my.
aev@iburst.co.za
The trouble with trouble is...it always starts as fun.
The most precious jewels you will ever wear around your neck is the arms of your children...
" I WOULD RATHER SIT ON THE TAILGATE OF MY HILUX WITH A BEER AND A CHOP, WATCHING A FIRE, THAN DINE IN THE BEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN "