Customer Reviews

10 Watt Black Frame Mono-crystalline Solar Panel and Battery Charger

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was really impressed by the solid construction, the aluminum frame feels like it could withstand a hurricane. My multi-meter shows it outputting 11 plus watts in full sun, and it had no problem recharging a small deep-cycle battery during the course of a day. The cables are long and sturdy, with tight-gripping alligator clips. After reviewing several lighter duty options, I'm glad I got the higher end model. The quality of the components and construction really impressed me. A solid thumbs up!

Panel was received on time. Panel seems to work well as it maintains the charge on a 75AH marine battery which powers an automatic gate opener. Mounting was slightly difficult as it must be attached from the underside. I had afix brackets to the bottom of the panel and mount the brackets to an existing support pole.

Location:
K55, Baja California, Mexico

Purpose:
Reduce dependence on buddy's noisy & smelly gas generator during weekend trips to beach shack. Week of rest after every usage.

System [June 2008]:
-> 60W total [~3.5Amps]. Two 20W [18Vmp] panel & two 10W [18Vmp] panels of the same mono-crystalline construction. [16AWG]
-> Morningstar MPPT 15 Amp Charge Controller. [14AWG]
-> Two [2] new 12V ~100AH deep cycle batteries [parallel ~200AH, 1/0AWG]
-> 700W AC inverter [4AWG]
-> 3.5KW gas generator to 6Amp AC batt charger for extra charging capacity when needed

Current Load:
-> Three [3] 12V x 26W fluorescent fixtures
-> Two [2] 12V x 15W fluorescent fixtures
-> One [1] 12V x 11W fluorescent fixture
-> One [1] 12V x 13W fluorescent fixture
-> Yamaha 2.1 speakers, 25W
-> Dual-port 12V car cig lighter adapter for mobile phone/iPod chargers.

Notes:
Panels are fixed @ slight SW & angle of ~35° from horizontal due to wind concerns, more than output, but very close to local latitude of ~32°. I was at the Baja house when the winds started the raging fires in SoCAL [2007], it was bad.

Voltage reads 20-24+V @ 3.4-3.6 Amps pre-load between 10:00AM & 3:30PM in June. Current load is lighting- OFF & ON 3-4 hours per night. Usually only one or two is ON at any given time. Lights work very well, almost like normal house. iPod is self-powererd to Yamaha 25W 2.1 speakers on inverter for 2-6 hours during day. Currently, we must use generator for TV/movies/games.

Expansion:
Another 20W panel for 80W total went in Dec 2008- another 80W will conclude a 160W system. Goal is 3 to 4 times per month...lighting, music, & occasional 26" 60W LCD using 15W DVD player & 25W 2.1 speakers for movies when surf is flat. [~700-800 Watt-Hours/day]