Association Forum - Sale on 15W Solar Panels

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Sale on 15W Solar Panels

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/14/2007 : 19:33:33

If your in the market for a Solar Panel [url="http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product2_6970_200263174_200263174?cm_sp=Customer%20driven-_-Recently%20Viewed-_-Category%20Page"]Northern Tool and Equipment[/url] has a 15 watt on sale for $78.00.

1997 250 TR WK (sold)
1984 O'Day 28 (sold)
1979 SISU 22
Bath, NC.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 19:41:32

I don't know anything about solar panels, but would that wattage need a controler? Cheers.

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 20:38:13

It says it does and it it is separate.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 21:55:56

I see that now. I missed it the first time. Cheers.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3439 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2007 : 07:17:50

The price for this solar panel is excellent....however, this should cause some extra scrutiny before making the leap.

There is no brand name for this solar panel. Most makers of rigid solar panels offer 10 yr warranties for the panels up to about 30 watt and then 25 yr warranties for larger ones. The mountin specs/details are not shown. It may not be that easy to hook this one up off the stern rail as it may be more for just leaving on the top of an RV (or deck). Best to be able to know all the details so you know how you are going to mount this one. Rigid panels are generally mounted, whereas, the flexible panels (like from Unisolar) can be rolled up. So...mountin could be an issue without more details for this panel.

Here is another biggy: Size ! For whatever reason this panel is a whopping 38 X 13" for a 15 watt panel. My Kyocera 20 watt panel is a puny 20x14". You have to fool around mounting or dealing with a panel that is twice the size it should be and that is not a benefit on a boat when situating everything in it's own space is a concern.

On the other hand.....15 watts for $78 gets you a 15 watt panel at a very low, low price. Also Northern Tool has been around for ages, so they should be trusted to deliver the goods. It basically comes down to price versus features.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3439 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2007 : 07:28:31

I took another look at the panel to see if I missed mounting details. From what I can see in the photos, there are screw holes in the corners. This raises addl questions. Is the base strong enough or does it need a full supporting mechanism around all edges of the panel utilizing only those 4 screw holes and allowing no other mounting methods. One of the accessories is a full framed mount and that is extremely bulky for a boat installation. My guess is that this is very suitable for an RV or house but raises mounting difficulties unless a full mount is used or can be rested on the deck and moved off when sailing.

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2007 : 11:00:58

I can't imagine why a 15-watt panel would need a controller (I know the site says it does). You'll get 15 watts out of that panel under perfect conditions - clear day with sun directly overhead and the panel is spotless. Assuming you have these perfect conditions, it will be putting out just over 1 amp. That's not enough to hurt your batteries... or even charge them for all practical purposes.

Maybe the panel has no diodes to prevent reverse current when the sun's not shining. Maybe they're in the controller instead???
Like Larry said: could use some more information.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2007 : 11:06:19

You can get the united solar flex 11 (11 watts) here at Discover Solar in San Diego for $95. Better deal. Diodes, shadow protection, (no warranty, these are cosmetic seconds). No mounting, throw on deck. Plug into cigarette lighter.

I have 3 plus a voltage regulator. Should have bought the Flex 33.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2007 : 08:36:10

I have two of these panels, I purchased three of them several years ago online w/ a controler for like $300 something from BJ's of all places.... One broke because of a stupid accident....

They are manufactuered by ICP Solar. www.icpsolar.com They are mountable. They are glass and heavier than a flexible panel. They will still function if the glass cracks. They do have blocking diodes. But the charge controller is a very good idea.

They put out an Amp each, SO you could MAYBE get 10 amps a day out of one. I've run two constantly and am always fighting battery power because of the total time the wife and I spend anchored out. Anchor light draws an amp - will convert to LED - so running the anchor light drains out all of the juice my panels put in! not to mention house lights, stereos, autopilot, etc...

I never mounted mine, I used to leave them in the cockpit and they worked just fine that way. But then I read somewhere that if part of the panel is blocked, the ammount of juice they generate deteriorates. So, now we put them atop the dodger.

Overall I'd say they were a good deal for what they are. There are different types of solar panels and the more expensive models are more compact and generate more juice. I believe this model is on the phase out for that reason.

sten

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2007 : 19:49:48

I have an 11 watt Unisolar flexible panel. Each section of the panel has a blocking diode, so a shaded portion will not draw out power, nor draw out power at night. I keep it mounted all the time. I also have a Morningstar pulse width modulated charge controller with three stage carging and a digital readout of amps in, amps out, and voltage. Very cool.

I changed my anchor light to an Aqua signal (I think) LED with coast guard approval. I believe it draws about .2 or .25 amp. It's the brightest light in the anchorage so It's not hard to find your boat at night. I have slowly been changing out my interior lights to LED too.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2007 : 19:08:54

I ordered one of the 15W panels from Northern and it arrived today. Seems to be okay. I carried it on the back deck about 5:30 this afternoon and stuck my meter on it. Measured almost a amp in the setting sun, I was impressed.

The box has a little more data than the web ad.
5 Year warranty
Completely weather proof
Pre cut holes and 4 SS mounting screws
12' wire
Battery Clamps
Cigarette lighter type plug
Built in Blocking Diode
Made of ABS Plastic
Amorphous Solar Cell (which works better in lower light condition)

"Amorphous type solar cells are better at generating electricity in all lighting conditions"

The instructions recommend a 7amp controller which I already have so that's not a problem. Tomorrow I'll take it down to the boat and start charging.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.