I am interested to know if anybody has purchased Solar Panels off E-Bay. I have been trying to pay cash and Pick-up from some of the Sydney based vendors and they all go a bit "Squirrely" when you say you want to pay cash and pick - up from them in person. That is despite them advertising that they do Cash and Pick-up sales. Starts to make me a bit curious as to the quality of these panels.
Does anybody have any first hand experience with the NSW vendors and the panels they stock?

Bought my panels off eBay a few years ago. I just used Paypal and had them delivered. Good quality Chinese. They say things like German designed or German craftsmanship but they pretty much come from the same place. I studied the photos and bought a pair that had exactly the same fittings and stickers etc as one of the expensive brand name ones. They are that cheap these days it's not worth getting too excited about them.

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Ramona said..
They are that cheap these days it's not worth getting too excited about them.

I bought 2 x 200W panels off ebay, cheap, a few months back & couldn't be happier with them.

I've done the same, ebayer was in Melbourne.

I did ring him as I wanted to check the weight of the panels, found out that the larger [100W] was lighter, by some Kg, than the smaller [80W] which was all I required.
Brought the 100w'er as it was not that much larger and it was delivered by Aus Post.

Two years old and works like a charm!

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nswsailor said..
I've done the same, ebayer was in Melbourne.

I did ring him as I wanted to check the weight of the panels, found out that the larger [100W] was lighter, by some Kg, than the smaller [80W] which was all I required.
Brought the 100w'er as it was not that much larger and it was delivered by Aus Post.

Two years old and works like a charm!

I think I know the panels you bought there a reasonable good panel those 100 Watters I had my eye on some silm panels on ebay most are wider than I wanted Ive found. The 100 watters I saw were not so wide and longer
Any idea on how much power you would use on a Daily basis when cruising NSW?

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No, not yet HG02,

I've run the radio Chart plotter and AIS receiver all day for very little drop in Volts.
If I have used a bit, like the hoover & toilet which are my biggest consumers [every else being LED]
the batteries [ 2x 120 amps] are back to 14.1 volts between one & two hours.

Panel details are:

<div>Made by CE of China

<div>Weight 8 kg

<div>100 W

<div>18.97 V max

<div>Amps 5.27

<div>

<div>Size 1196 mm x 534 mm x 35 mm thick

http://www.lowenergydevelopments.com.au/75W-Solar-Panel-Monocrystalline
I can fit a meter wide no more than that

Those are the ones I was looking at though of two panels on the cabin roof ( worried about shading from the mast , sails and boom.)
When Ive had a little time on weekend Ive looked to see what my panels is up to usually 3.9 amps and it keeps 14.2 volts still and 6 pm
Ive read on whirl pool forums before I bought the one I have from conversation with solar panel house fitters on what results they have seen on different panels once they have set up houses .
My solar panel looks reasonably ugly on top of my cabin I must admit shes a big girl solar panel

I was kicking myself for not checking the list of solar panel manufacturers before ebay purchase, i ended up with a new and unknown brand which turned out better than expected.
Also got a 12v to 12v 5 stage charger where you wire in panels as well as alternator/starter battery, that does a better job of caring for your batteries.
You can check the star rating and comments of ebay sellers give an insight to them.
Regards

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HG02 said..
Ive wondered about those semi flexible panels they seen to be not as affect as the solid panels that the only reason I didn't buy one .
As a reference like these below
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200Watt-2x100W-12V-mono-semi-flexible-solar-panel-CAR-BOAT-RV-PV-battery-charge-/251336885383?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item3a84d88487

they are the ducks guts on a small vessel!

I have seen an installation on the cabin top just in front of the sliding hatch . stuck down with silicon ............ beautiful , no sharp edges , can be be walked on ,but in that position ,doesn't happen .

they also work !

they are pretty cheap too , there is a guy in aus selling them i think , no idea who though , i think he may be in Qld .

The tyrouble for my if I want them to fit my cabin roof there always to wide to fit two they seem to be over the half meter width so I could fit two one either side
The only thing that came close was the two 75 watt panels ( still thinking about shade from the boom and mast ect)
The reason I bought the 300 watt LG Exeno mono was its ability to gain extra power from bouncing the sunlight from the back of the panel to the solar cells to gain more power.
and also it was 34 volts meaning perhaps when shaded it will only loose some many volts leaving still more than 12 volts so it would still charge at a lower voltage. As I have no mast on the boat I do not know if that theory works

Hey the long narrow 75 watt panel from low energy development are what I fitted about two years ago,fitted the available space really well and two panels consistently produce 8+ amps and keep the BIG battery bank full, with the refrigerator running 24/7.
Couldn't be happier

Nice to know that uncle bob
I've chatted to them a couple of time seem real good to deal with

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UncleBob said..
Hey the long narrow 75 watt panel from low energy development are what I fitted about two years ago,fitted the available space really well and two panels consistently produce 8+ amps and keep the BIG battery bank full, with the refrigerator running 24/7.
Couldn't be happier

Is there a web site for them or a contact number??

Also
Low energy developments.com.au
There in Preston vic

I am using a jay car look a like MPPT charger
I'm not sure what to choose in a Mppt
But it's working I'll get all my wiring done with everything hanging off it
And work what to use permanently
Later as far as batteries panel and solar charger
What I've got is working have no idea if it's good bad or ugly

G’day I have 2 X 130 watt Blue Sun Panels on top of cabin. They fit between handrails and I can move them if needed.






Regulator is Plasmatronics Dingo 20 Amp voltage can set from 12 volt to 48 volts. I have 12 volt system 2 X 120 Ahr Batteries. I can charge them separate or both of them. I run my lights. Computers, Radios ,Television and when out sailing 40 ltr WACO fridge

Colombo I think that's why I have my solar panel sitting on blocks zip tied to the hand rails because I'm not happy or settled on what I should and how to mount it so things like that I tend to leave unfinished and wait to find a good solution I've lots of things like that on my h28

I got several smaller panels wired up in parallel rather than a single large panel if you were aware that partial shadow can compromise the panel as i couldnt find at a glance if any had bypass diodes built in.
This totally idiot proof d250s 12v charger has mppt already built in it and desulphates even on solar and goes to condition your starter battery when house bank is at full 100%..

Colombo
I have been wondering how you run your main sheet rope a friend down here as well as a few other H28 Ketches turn there main sheet block upside down and run the bitter end across the top of the hatch to a block on the mizzen and then down to the mizzen base.
How is your set up Colombo?

mizzen above with the main sheet block



Thats his cockpit table stowed under the settee cushion when not in use can fit either side on the mizzen

I have mounted my panel on a frame over the stern.
Two reasons.

Its reasonably clear of sail shadows.

It forms part of my shade [you can see the Bimini folded up] when sailing.

I can recall last time a charted a cat up north sitting under the bimini with my head looking out a cut out in the Bimini after a few hours looked down and saw my feet were badly sun burnt just from the sun . Came through the cut out it. gets warm up there NSW. What you have one will certainly be a asset when you go around the top of Aust

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HG02 said..
I can recall last time a charted a cat up north sitting under the bimini with my head looking out a cut out in the Bimini after a few hours looked down and saw my feet were badly sun burnt just from the sun . Came through the cut out it. gets warm up there NSW. What you have one will certainly be a asset when you go around the top of Aust

I have found that wind burn is a major problem for me now that I am older. I wear a hat and mask when on the deck and sailing in the summer months.

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Ramona said..

HG02 said..
I can recall last time a charted a cat up north sitting under the bimini with my head looking out a cut out in the Bimini after a few hours looked down and saw my feet were badly sun burnt just from the sun . Came through the cut out it. gets warm up there NSW. What you have one will certainly be a asset when you go around the top of Aust

I have found that wind burn is a major problem for me now that I am older. I wear a hat and mask when on the deck and sailing in the summer months.

I agree Ramona, in fact have taken a lot more care in prep for sun and wind exposure this time.

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nswsailor said..
I have mounted my panel on a frame over the stern.
Two reasons.

Its reasonably clear of sail shadows.

It forms part of my shade [you can see the Bimini folded up] when sailing.

The only H28 Ketch Ive see with a panel off the stern is this one below


It would get some shading from the Mizzen pending where the sun is . But a better position than where mine is at the moment .
Ill wait for a while yet see how much power I use .
Would this set up get in the way of a Aries wind vane??

Recent purchase of 120W Hurricane (no doubt, chinco,) solar panel for $156 free delivery.
Good service, Marsol Industries Qld.
Worth checking the website.

I think this solar panel would be to large on the stern. I dont mind Colombos two panel on the cabin roof and as he said there movable . The flexible panels are not as effective as the above
I think I have to wait till I refit my masts and then work out what to do by that time I should have a reasonable idea on how much power I need by then.
Its good cabin shade at the moment

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bubble7777 said..
are the flexible and semi flexible sold on ebay the same thing

heres one listed as flexible but seems to look the same

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100W-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Poly-Caravan-Boat-4wd-4x4-Camp-Charging-Kit-/291333060963?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item43d4cdb963

Interesting link Bubble those panels are smaller than then ones under it in e bay same watts though.
680x550mm

The ones below in ebay 762x542
thats the thing finding a size that fits your cabin top or solar ark a lot don't show the panel size if there that lazy I move on. its there problem not mine
I sort of feel those don't know anything about what there selling
Also from what Ive read cheap panels may have lower grade solar cells as there tested and graded then sold on if there not up to spec and under spec cells come in a few different grades also

Bubbles I measured my cabin roof and those flexible would fit 100watts either side . I wait to see how much power I need first

I want to fit one on the bimini. a semi flexible would not work. I need a full flexible panel.

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bubble7777 said..
I want to fit one on the bimini. a semi flexible would not work. I need a full flexible panel.

www.solar4rvs.com.au/
Im trying to sort out mine the coming weeks and months with these guys there just become the distributors of Solbians

The old 300 watt LG neon solar panel is leaving my boat boat today

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bubble7777 said..
I want to fit one on the bimini. a semi flexible would not work. I need a full flexible panel.

I have just installed a semi-flexible solar panel to my bimini and it works just fine. It has been installed with zips either side for easy removal.
The supplier is at Hornsby, north of Sydney but will ship anywhere. https://www.welinksolar.com.au/store/c2/Semi_flexible__Solar_Panels.html
I use an 80 amp panel but larger and more powerful ones are available. The 80 amp panel and regulator cost less than $300 plus installation and keeps my batteries topped up very nicely. It's too early to be able to tell how much power is available 24/7 but I'm sure it would run the frig at a low setting.