I just bought this 40w solar panel at Canadian Tire for on sale at 94.99 CAD from 269.99. Seem like a pretty good deal!
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-40w-folding-solar-panel-0112043p.html
Very nice! I wish we had Canadian Tire in the states :) .
When you get a chance sometime, post the L, W, D of the panel. I'm still looking for a portable panel of that power range that would fit in the slide out storage compartment.
[quote timestamp="1461280452" author="@sandroad" source="/post/20745/thread"]Very nice! I wish we had Canadian Tire in the states :) .
When you get a chance sometime, post the L, W, D of the panel. I'm still looking for a portable panel of that power range that would fit in the slide out storage compartment.
[/quote]Yes that's about 75$ USD at today's rate
D 37.5" x W 14.5" x H 2".
That would be a very nice panel and controller for portable use. Set the panel up as much as 50' away and run 12 gauge wire to the controller near the battery. Just make sure that the controller is truly waterproof. The ad implies it is, but.....
David
I just checked and that panel is store pick up only. :'(
Paul, Go buy 10 and offer them to U.S. forum members for USD $75.01.
Quote from: @sandroad" source="/post/20758/thread" timestamp="1461335552I just checked and that panel is store pick up only. :'(
Paul, Go buy 10 and offer them to U.S. forum members for USD $75.01.
It would be about 85$ USD if you include the 13% sale tax. I wouldn't mind if you some to the Acadia National Park gathering the weekend of July 4 to bring you some :)
I just went and bought one. 14% sales tax here (and it's going up to 15% soon). They are selling lots of them. Three other people seen at the cash check-out line with them.
[quote source="/post/20763/thread" author="@peislander" timestamp="1461342819"]I just went and bought one. 14% sales tax here (and it's going up to 15% soon). They are selling lots of them. Three other people seen at the cash check-out line with them.[/quote]Our tax is going to be 15% here too in July
I put 2 on the roof of my 16 dbs. Works great.
During a 4 days weekend if my main use is only my water pump should I be good with only one 40w panel?
Paul:
That water pump pulls 5-10 amps, but only runs for a total of maybe ten minutes over a 24 hour period, mostly showers. So the amp hour usage is very small, maybe a couple. You will use another amp hour or so for lights in the evening if you have LEDs, triple that if incandescent.
So, yes 40 watts should easily keep your batteries up forever at that usage rate. You can measure the battery voltage each evening when the solar panels are not putting out to see how you are doing. A fully charged battery should measure about 12.7 volts and a 50% discharged one will read 12.1.
David
Went to the link and they are now $269. That's a great return on investment. Wish the market was that easy.
I had a similar setup as this once and the only part that was unorthodox is the charge controller. It was really a regulator but did do the function well at it's intended task at the time. I wonder if this is a regulator too. It looks identical enough.
Enjoy the solar!
I finally bought 2. I am debating installing them on the roof or use them as mobile. Most of the time I am at a seasonal site with electricity. So I would only use the panels a couple of time in a year. But I like the fact that on the roof there is less chance of someone stealing them for example if I go at a walmart parking lot and also the fact that it would charge while traveling. But at the same time all that time that I will be at my seasonal campground it's going to be useless and better if they were stored away from the sun to extend their life.
Would it make more sense to keep them mobile or should i install them on the roof?
Paul:
It depends on where you camp. Where we typically camp we get very little sun on the roof of our LL. Remember Fundy. If it were portable I could find some sun patches and keep moving the panels to follow the sun. But I would need at least 50' or more of cable.
Solar while driving won't help that much because your TV will supply 10+ amps.
David
Quote from: @david" source="/post/20838/thread" timestamp="1461792397Paul:
It depends on where you camp. Where we typically camp we get very little sun on the roof of our LL. Remember Fundy. If it were portable I could find some sun patches and keep moving the panels to follow the sun. But I would need at least 50' or more of cable.
Solar while driving won't help that much because your TV will supply 10+ amps.
David
Yes you are right it probably make more sense for me to have them portable. Now I need to buy an extension :-)
How can I make my own cable extension ? Most solar extension I see on ebay have a really expensive shipping. I was wondering what kind of cable I need and where to find the proper connector. The ones I see on ebay have MC4 connector on them but my panel has this type of connector but I have a hard time to find them
(http://wakuwaku-kaimono.net/idea-goods/Coleman_40watt-Solar-Panel-Kit/Coleman_40watt-Solar-Panel-Kit_010.jpg)
What kind of connectors do the panel and the controller have? If it is the ubiquitous MC-4 connectors then extension cables are available. See http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Panel-Extension-Cable-Connectors/dp/B00KDNQQRK/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800200&sr=8-10&keywords=mc-4+cables. You will need two.
David
[font size="3"]Do the wires terminate in screw terminals on the charger? If so, just remove them and make you own cables. I'd recommend some two conductor #10AWG flexible cable and any two conductor polarized connector rated at 15A or more. There's nothing magic about MC4 connectors except the expense. You might make the cable from the panels to the controller in two 25' segments for convenience and versatility. The controller should be connected to the battery with a
short length of cable.
DAVID: Jump in here. I'm out of my experience area with solar.
[/font]
[quote timestamp="1461800377" source="/post/20843/thread" author="@david"]What kind of connectors do the panel and the controller have? If it is the ubiquitous MC-4 connectors then extension cables are available. See http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Panel-Extension-Cable-Connectors/dp/B00KDNQQRK/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800200&sr=8-10&keywords=mc-4+cables. You will need two.
David[/quote]They are the same as the picture I posted above I am not sure of the name but it's not MC-4
[p]Paul:
Your post crossed mine. Those are not MC-4 connectors as you can see from looking at the Amazon link on my previous post.
Actually I like the connectors on your controller better. They are typically used on Battery Tender chargers. You can buy a 25' extension set (both pos and neg) here for $14 for 25': http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-081-0148-25-Disconnect-Extension/dp/B000FW2MWW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800795&sr=8-15&keywords=dc+quick+disconnect
The wire gauge is a bit light, the one on my charger at home look like about 16 gauge. That will result in a 1.7 volt drop over 50' which is a bit much. It will result in the voltage at your controller being too low to charge effectively. You need to keep the voltage drop down to about 0.5 volts.
So you could buy these: http://www.amazon.com/CES-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800735&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+polarized+connectors
Cut them in half and crimp them on 50' of 12 gauge cable that you can buy locally.
But can you get Amazon shipments where you are located?[/p][p]
[/p][p]BTW, the Coleman controller in your picture is almost assuredly not water proof. So you will have to keep it in an enclosure.
David[/p]
Quote from: @david" source="/post/20848/thread" timestamp="1461801573Paul:
Your post crossed mine. Those are not MC-4 connectors as you can see from looking at the Amazon link on my previous post.
Actually I like the connectors on your controller better. They are typically used on Battery Tender chargers. You can buy a 25' extension set (both pos and neg) here for $14 for 25': http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-081-0148-25-Disconnect-Extension/dp/B000FW2MWW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800795&sr=8-15&keywords=dc+quick+disconnect
The wire gauge is a bit light, the one on my charger at home look like about 16 gauge. That will result in a 1.7 volt drop over 50' which is a bit much. It will result in the voltage at your controller being too low to charge effectively. You need to keep the voltage drop down to about 0.5 volts.
So you could buy these: http://www.amazon.com/CES-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800735&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+polarized+connectors
Cut them in half and crimp them on 50' of 12 gauge cable that you can buy locally.
But can you get Amazon shipments where you are located?
David
There is a Amazon Canada. I found the same on it for 21$ CAD https://www.amazon.ca/CES-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461801728&sr=8-1&keywords=CES+10+Gauge+2+Pin+Quick+Disconnect+Harness
the 50' 12 gauge do I just go to the hardware store a buy electric cable? Does it have to be a special kind or? And how do I crimp them together I never did that
Thank you
Paul:
Buy a 50' roll of duplex (two conductors) stranded wire cable locally or on Amazon. Then buy some crimp connectors like these at your local auto parts store: http://www.amazon.com/AIRNIX-Yellow-Insulated-Electrical-Connectors/dp/B011A1F8TU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802041&sr=8-15&keywords=butt+crimp+connector. The yellow ones are good for 10-12 gauge wire.
Use a crimp tool (purchased at your local auto parts store or online) like this: http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3775-Electricians-Combination-Tool/dp/B000NPUK2A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802121&sr=8-6&keywords=crimping+tool
Strip each lead back about 1/2", insert into the crimp connector and then smash it with the tool. It makes a very good connection for low voltage service. To make it more robust, wrap the two connectors in electrician's tape.
Google wire crimping and I am sure that you will find instructional videos on the subject.
David
[quote timestamp="1461802557" author="@david" source="/post/20850/thread"]Paul:
Buy a 50' roll of duplex (two conductors) stranded wire cable locally or on Amazon. Then buy some crimp connectors like these at your local auto parts store: http://www.amazon.com/AIRNIX-Yellow-Insulated-Electrical-Connectors/dp/B011A1F8TU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802041&sr=8-15&keywords=butt+crimp+connector. The yellow ones are good for 10-12 gauge wire.
Use a crimp tool (purchased at your local auto parts store or online) like this: http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3775-Electricians-Combination-Tool/dp/B000NPUK2A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802121&sr=8-6&keywords=crimping+tool
Strip each lead back about 1/2", insert into the crimp connector and then smash it with the tool. It makes a very good connection for low voltage service. To make it more robust, wrap the two connectors in electrician's tape.
Google wire crimping and I am sure that you will find instructional videos on the subject.
David[/quote]Thank you for your advice! I will go to my local store and try to find the tools and cable!
Is this look like good cable? Or should I try to find something more outdoor than speaker wire
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10-GAUGE-RED-BLACK-ZIP-WIRE-50-FT-AWG-CABLE-POWER-GROUND-STRANDED-COPPER-CAR-/182103834392?
[font size="3"]Paul,
I would NOT recommend this wire because it is "copper clad", not pure copper. The wire is probably aluminum which is electrically equivalent to 12-14 AWG copper. This is a trick the marketeers use to fool you into thinking you're getting #10 copper. Otherwise, even though it's called "speaker wire" it looks adequate for 12V power systems. I would look for #10 100% copper.
That said, I'm appalled at the prices you Canadians have to pay. That roll of wire is available in the states from Amazon for 16USD and free shipping if you're an Amazon Prime member. And $22 CD to ship it over the huge boarder wall we built? You need to come south for a vacation, Paul.
[/font]
[quote timestamp="1461857994" author="@charliem" source="/post/20861/thread"][font size="3"]Paul,
I would NOT recommend this wire because it is "copper clad", not pure copper. The wire is probably aluminum which is electrically equivalent to 12-14 AWG copper. This is a trick the marketeers use to fool you into thinking you're getting #10 copper. Otherwise, even though it's called "speaker wire" it looks adequate for 12V power systems. I would look for #10 100% copper.
That said, I'm appalled at the prices you Canadians have to pay. That roll of wire is available in the states from Amazon for 16USD and free shipping if you're an Amazon Prime member. And $22 CD to ship it over the huge boarder wall we built? You need to come south for a vacation, Paul.
[/font][/quote]Thank you for the advice. Yes I know everything is so expensive over here, and the shipping is really high when you order online and right now our currency is really low compared to USD which make it even more expensive! I think I will try to find some cable at a local store because of the shipping price
[font size="3"]I would think you could find some two conductor #10 stranded copper wire, rated for outdoor service, locally. Maybe at a hardware or home improvement store. They must exist even in the French part of Canada ;) .
[/font]
[font size="3"]Paul,
Looks like my RPOD friends are working on the same problem. Maybe some help here:
[a href="http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7842&title=black-red-zip-wire-source"]http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7842&title=black-red-zip-wire-source[/a]
[/font]
If nothing else buy a heavy duty extension cord cut off the ends and use only 2 of the wires.
Paul - Here in PEI at least, I've found marine equipment stores to be a good source for cables. In contrast the building supply stores just have the usual stuff used for wiring houses. So check out your local marine equipment store. You should be able to buy it buy the foot and get just the amount you need. (Remember - Less is more and rust never sleeps).