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Subject Topic: Solar Panels...confused Post Reply Post New Topic
Personlizzydxn
30/6/2014 at 7:05pm
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Help, looking into solar panels. I want to run TV couple of hours a night have a couple of lights on and charge phones/ipads.

Thinking 100w would do the job.

But have read on here people buy 2 and place them in different areas.

Also are they not high risk for theft? How do you secure them?

Also what should I be watching out for?

Prices vary quite a bit?


PersonFrog
30/6/2014 at 7:52pm
 Location: Cambs
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Are you looking to hook them up to a battery to keep it charge while you watch tv etc?


PersonG7ACU
30/6/2014 at 8:35pm
 Location: West Mids
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It can be confusing enough as normally I'd suggest you do a power audit to fully detail all you are likely to use to help assess your needs.

However, to keep it simple, a 100w panel should do the job fine. I have fairly low demand (TV, LED lighting, pump and phone/laptop charging) and my 80w panel does the job more than adequately.

Efficiency will vary during the year; obviously better output in the summer months than during the shorter winter days. Do you do much 'vanning later in the year?

There are plenty of kits around that include a charge controller (required to maintain battery during charge) that are usually stuck onto the back of the solar panel; not the best place for it for cooling and efficiency, so get yourself a panel with a separate controller to allow positioning this close to the battery.

The panel is arguably a high-risk item and many chain them to the van while in use. Freestanding panels are better from an efficiency point of view as the user can angle them for best use during the day.

If you use the search feature, there are loads of threads on the subject, but have a nose through this recent thread here too.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


Personchappers2341
01/7/2014 at 12:47am
 Location: Oxford
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As G7ACU says almost as important is sourcing low demand equipment. Also depends on the capacity of your battery and how sunny it is to recharge it. adecent charge and load watt meter will give you an idea of charging and consumption


Personscud4984
01/7/2014 at 2:20am
 Location: North Wales
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deffo chain it up to something unmovable,, i use a motorbike coil type rope to chain my 100w suitcase panel to my folding camper.. I never leave it out of sight either.. i have two batteries and as of yet, never have run out of juice.. If i think i have used more than im going to recoup from the panel, i have an inverter and charger in the car, so when we go out shopping i can charge up on the move.. No real reason to ever totally run out of juice really :)
i think my panel cost £120 on fleabay,, albeit i have thrown the controller and brought a better one..


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Personlizzydxn
01/7/2014 at 11:27pm
 Location: None Entered
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Thanks for the info. Can you recommend a good brand/manufacturer



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