Solar Panel!

[BenRich]

I'm going to Bloemhof tomorrow and thought I'd share this with you.

Knowing I'm not going to have enough power for three days next to the water I started looking at Solar Panels. Found this 75W panel online for R980.00

Including shipping from Cape Town cost me R1200 and delivered to my company 4 days later. Connected my own wire's and measured in sunlight 21.2 Volts/Around 3.9 Apms.

If anybody is looking at panels have a look here:

http://www.sustainable.co.za/solaire-sd ... panel.html

[ThysdJ]

Not bad!!

[Mud Dog]

Nice! What regulator did you use?

[BenRich]

Hi Uncle Andy,

No Regulator. It was a concern for me so I ask a customer off mine (electrical engineer) and he said there was now way I would overcharge the battery with this panel. Your thoughts?

[Mud Dog]

I'm thinking that with 21V and 3.9A you would cook the battery ..... then if you run anything off that supply which is designed for 12V, (like a fridge / freezer) you could damage that too. Better spend the few extra moolas and save yourself the hassles. They're only about R300 as opposed to at least 4 x that for a battery, not to speak of appliances.

[ThysdJ]

Rich, get the regulator, otherwise you will fry your battery..... I bought a Phocos 20A regulator last year for approx R500...



Alternatively, you can run it thru your C-Tek DC2DC charger's solar panel input..

[BenRich]

Thanks Gents, can you point me in a direction. I'm leaving tomorrow and need it asap!

[ThysdJ]

I got mine from GW Store... they were cheapest at the time..

Hierso.. http://www.gwstore.co.za/site/company/i ... contact_us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BenRich]

Thank you Uncle Andy and Thys

Managed to get my hands on a 10Amp regulator (can add another panel if required down the line) from Bushpower in Midrand R480.

Rather safe than sorry ne?
Thank You

[ThysdJ]

great... Now a spanner in the worx.. if you want optimum power from your panels, get a MPPT controller...

[BenRich]

Thys, here we go again........

Have got no idea what that is?

[Cleaner]

Maximum power point tracking and What the Heck is an MPPT Charge Controller?

[ThysdJ]

Maximum power point tracking and What the Heck is an MPPT Charge Controller?

That's the one...

[BenRich]

Ok nou weet ek ook!

Buckit list item

[Family_Dog]

Hi Uncle Andy,

No Regulator. It was a concern for me so I ask a customer off mine (electrical engineer) and he said there was now way I would overcharge the battery with this panel. Your thoughts?

Wrong! The solar voltage will fall to a lower figure whilst charging the battery but as the battery reaches full charge, the higher-voltage will cook everything connected to the battery as well as the battery.


-F_D

[KOBUSL]

Hi Uncle Andy,

No Regulator. It was a concern for me so I ask a customer off mine (electrical engineer) and he said there was now way I would overcharge the battery with this panel. Your thoughts?

Wrong! The solar voltage will fall to a lower figure whilst charging the battery but as the battery reaches full charge, the higher-voltage will cook everything connected to the battery as well as the battery.


-F_D

Electrical engineer ?

[BenRich]

Just thought I'd provide some feedback after my long weekend at Bloemhof Dam!

The panel with the regulator worked a treat. After day three my battery was still fully charged in spite of broken clouds all day.

Cold beverages for all

Thank you for everyone for their assistance!

[ThysdJ]

That be good news Rich... Glad it worked out for you..

[Mud Dog]

[Hannes Meyer]

[DawidT]

Baie dankie - Good advice! Will a C-Tek cater for all the other electronics?

[Donkey]

David, have a look here also, http://www.hcdpelectronics.co.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Great SA product, and the owner is very friendly and very much hands on.

[Hannes Meyer]

Jou 30 Volt en 60 Volt son panele, kan jy dit op 'n 12volt regulator gebruik na 12 V battery of sal jy spesiale regulator moet kry wat krag na 12Volt omskakel. Ek weet die Outback regulator kan jy vir dit bebruik maar dis 'n duur regulator.

[Frontier 320]

Thanks you saved me a few rand, I was at AC DC as they sell everything. There panel was pricey but the regulator and other goodies where alot cheaper. But the money is in the panel it seems..

http://www.acdc.co.za/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;