About to pull the trigger on a solar system. Thoughts about this system?

[IdaSHO]

Hi guys,

Just about to pull the trigger on a solar system for my custom camper.
Im set on 250+ watts. And with the roof layout, 3 panels are needed due to space.

Im looking at this one... not necessarily the ebay offering, but this system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301165204389?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Any thoughts on this? Are there better systems out there for the money?
Will this charge controller treat me well enough? Any other recommendations?

Thanks for any help.

 

[DiploStrat]

Recommendation for AM Solar

I can't help you with the quality of the system you saw on eBay, but I tend to agree with Handy Bob that there is a lot of trash out there and even more trashy dealers. Unless you know the details of each of the products you linked to and have the knowledge to size all of the peripheral components, I would talk to AM Solar and buy from them. I did and have been very happy with the results.

http://www.amsolar.com

AM Solar will be more expensive, but, I would expect, worth every penny.

There are probably other dealers of equal quality, but I have not dealt with them.

 

[Joe917]

The charge controller is Chinese and cheap. I have two of them I took off my truck. I would highly recommend a MorningStar charge controller.
Buy panels on a price per watt basis. The smaller the panel the higher the cost.
You can easily make mounting brackets and the 40' AWG10 cable should probably be replaced by a larger gauge wire to reduce voltage drop from the roof.
So you are paying $660 for 3x100watt panels.

 

[schulz11]

Hi guys,

Just about to pull the trigger on a solar system for my custom camper.
Im set on 250+ watts. And with the roof layout, 3 panels are needed due to space.

Im looking at this one... not necessarily the ebay offering, but this system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301165204389?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Any thoughts on this? Are there better systems out there for the money?
Will this charge controller treat me well enough? Any other recommendations?

Thanks for any help.

If you have the space it is cheaper to by a higher quality 300-325 watt grid tie panel and a MPPT charge controller. Will give you 40% more usable watts. Like stated before, spend the money on a better charge controller so it will last.

Look at Midnite Solar KID, nice 30 AMP charger controller for $350 and you can find a panel for $300.00. You still have to buy racking and wires but the quality will be much better.

 

[GR8ADV]

Ok was it cool to type that you are going to buy an entire solar system!

 

[Cayuse]

I have their 200W system with that controller and so far it is doing fing and keeping my two flooded group 31 batteries charged while running my compressor fridge 24x7. The challenge will be how long the controller lasts.

 

[CaliMobber]

Dont waste your money on an mppt charge controller for such a small system and short wire runs.

As stated by others Handybob blog is worth reading through, my favorite out there. http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

I would not get that system, like joe said controller is crap. A good controller is mandatory to get the full charge from the panels. I would just order the right panels on ebay or solarblvd.com that fits your roof. $1 per watt is what your looking for, now days you can get $1-2 watt pretty easily.

Get yourself a 30amp morning star charge controller.

http://www.solarblvd.com/Charge-Con...24-Volt-Solar-Charge-Contro/product_info.html

just get the hardware from home depot, you can find a few write ups online for RV's. Or amazon sets cheap mounting kits.

I have a little bit of info on my 60w solar system on my roof.

 

[IdaSHO]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Looks like I need to source a couple of decent panels, then spend good money on a MS controller.

 

[Rallyroo]

I second Solar Blvd. I bought my 100W panel for $125 couple years ago from them. They're still selling for $125 today. Controller for another $35-45.

 

[Yuccahead]

I second Solar Blvd. I bought my 100W panel for $125 couple years ago from them. They're still selling for $125 today. Controller for another $35-45.

I don't get this. I keep seeing articles that talk about how much the cost of solar cells have come down and here we have an example of prices holding steady. For an example, an index online lists the (Euro) cost per watt (for Japanese cells) at .64 in August of this year and .91 in August of 2012. This is a drop of nearly 30%. Prices for cells produce in Germany fell by nearly as much though stuff from China fell only 11%. ( http://www.solarserver.com/service/...o0S2yDPKFkB6OGBnts6z2xGOmNRLiuTLdohoCfK7w_wcB )

Another web site says: "That cost has fallen tremendously within the past few years — they’re now about half the price they were in 2008," (http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/04/current-cost-solar-panels/ )

My apologies for the hijack.