Solar Panel deal at SolarBLVD

A PMW or MPPT controller takes care of charging issues:

Absorption mode/Normal operation
Nominal battery charge and supplies power to appliances
Bulk mode/Charge mode
Fast battery charge and supplies power to appliances
Float mode/Trickle charge
Trickle battery charge during storage

Absorption Mode: During this mode, the controller output is in the
13.6 Vdc range. This is the normal operation mode. This mode provides
the 12 Vdc and current required by the 12 Vdc RV appliances, as well as
slow charging the battery.

Bulk Mode: In this mode, the output voltage of the controller will switch
to 14.4 Vdc range for a maximum of four hours. If the controller cycles
between “Absorption and Bulk mode,” there could be a shorted battery
cell or other issues.

Float Mode: In this mode, the controller is charging the battery with a
trickle voltage of 13.2 Vdc range. When the controller senses a demand
(by turning on lights), the controller automatically returns to the
“Absorption mode”.

 

Hey guys, just did a quick search... It appears the website/page is up and running again, here's the link: https://www.solarblvd.com/products/solar-cynergy-flexible-bendable-120-watt-12-volt-solar-panel/ I'm looking into one of these, but I don't have any experience with truck electrical systems, only home solar design... Do you need an inverter or do you just wire straight to the battery? I read that people are using a charging controller to avoid over charging and distribute the charge between batteries. I'm looking for a relatively cheap setup, but I'd favor an inexpensive, longer-term solution over something cheaply made.

 

How did you mount that on the cross bars?

 

Ghetto style mounted to the snowboard rack! Drilled holes in the aluminum frame and put bolts through.

 

Got it - I've got a 100w flex panel and I'm trying to decide if I tape that to my topper or get a rigid panel and mount it to my roof rack. Can't decide which would be a better way to go.

 

Go flex and line the entire back with Scotch 414 extreme duty mounting tape. I did a 1" perimeter mounting a flex to the contour of my roof. Other than it lifting the wrap i have on the roof, its holding decently since end of January.

Dont ever expect to remove it though. Stuff has very high pull strength. Almost folded a Windex bottle in half trying to pull a 1"x1" piece straight off.

Car solar is very simple. Two wires from the panel go to your charge controller. Power wire from controller to battery with Fuse. Ground wire from controller. That's it for a extremely basic battery hook up. There is an output on most charge controllers to add a light or aux connection (nothing too power-hungry).

The charge controller is where you'll want to spend the money. I spent almost $100 for that alone. Plus wiring, extra connectors, crimp tool and mounting tape. All in all, about $280ish.

 

I disagree. For the amount of wattage and number of panels a simple PWM controller is all you need on a truck, rv or boat or house sure go with MPTT. If you plan to mount it in the elements get a sealed one like the LS1024epd.

 

I'm thinking I might want to remove it someday though.


What kind of fuse would you recommend between the controller and the battery?

 

this deal must be over the panels are gone or off the web site? anyone know if we can still get these?

 

@toryt

 

Go to post #22. The link is there. They are $139 now tho and not $119

 

thanks I picked up 2 panels I hope they work well