Grape Foldable/Portable Solar Panel

[ab1985]

I'm a solar newbie and have been looking at options for my Land Cruiser to keep my auxiliary battery charged while running the fridge and other accessories (especially in the hot summer months). Originally I wanted to mount a 100W panel to the roof - an aluminum clam shell style pop-top. Problem with that is I am very picky when parking and positioning my "camper" and my final spot will normally have my roof top pointing away from the sun for at least a portion of the day in any circumstance. I've seen and and used the folding hard panels that come in a kit which are great. My concern there is space which is at a premium. Most tend to be 20"x"30"x5" when stowed and weigh 20-30 lbs. That won't work for me either.

I found the below folding 100W panel from grape which looks promising. I'd just need a charge controller. I know these types of panels are more expensive, but I think the one-time cost would be worth the convenience for my application. I seem to remember these types of panels being even more expensive per watt that this one at $3. Does that seem right? Is this newer technology or have prices come down? Thoughts in general about this solar panel?

TIA

http://www.amazon.com/Grape-Solar-G...ne-Connector/dp/B01AI8WSRQ/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

 

[Chris Boyd]

Looks like a good panel, and grape sells a lot of hard panels. The downsides with this are that if you don't get them angled into the sun you'll only get a fraction of the rated wattage. There are other panels called CIGS that can be mounted on the roof that are flexible, but weatherproof. They claim to have better performance in any angle.

Checkout http://www.globalsolar.com/products/flexible-modules/rv

I'd considered these for my hard shell RTT but they are too long. Maybe he'll work for your install on the Campteq.

The other option is the portable folding hard panels from overlandsolar.com. I use these to keep my fridge running. Advantage is they can be angled and poisitioned in the direct sun if you're not parked that way. Downside is that it's one more thing packed in the rig...

 

[ab1985]

Those are both very nice looking options. Unfortunately, they are less than ideal for my application for the reasons I mentioned above. But I guess so is a panel that can't be set up to perfom optimally. I'll need to think about that a bit more. With my vehicle pointed either east or west I have several options from sun up to sun down depending on the time of day. North or south would require a bit of rigging to affix that panel at an angle. All in all I have to think people tend to work around this issue, otherwise these would be unpopular with the overland crowd?

 

[whitenoise]

Could you not buy one of these and mount some aluminum U-channel up on your roof to stow them until you get to your destination? They are only 16 lbs vs 30 for the folding ones, 1.4" thick, plus they are a perfect fit for the Land Cruiser roof, width-wise. The charge controller could be hard-mounted in the engine bay and run a set of power-pole or SB anderson connector out to the front grill. All you have to do is retrieve the panel, plug it in, and periodically re-position the panel. With some ingenuity and aluminum tube it would be easy to rig up a folding stand for the panel.

 

[ab1985]

That's an interesting idea that I had not considered, whitenoise. Something like this would be pretty easy to put together: http://www.amazon.com/WindyNation-B...&sr=8-3-spons&keywords=100w+solar+panel&psc=1

Thanks for the idea!

 

[ab1985]

This panel looks interesting. Not really due to the flexibility, but it's the perfect size and weight to store with my bedding inside the pop-top. I like the grommets for hanging on the roof or awning. Other times it would be easy just to lean against the vehicle or prop up with some makeshift device.

Maybe this would be a better option than the folding panel.

http://www.amazon.com/HQST-Monocrys..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1YN2EVRWKFSHXZGJWHCF

 

[ab1985]

I've decided to do a semi-permanent system using the panel above. My plan is to either use magnetic tape to keep the panel on my hood or just toss it up in the pop-top with my bedding. Either way the plan will be to have the panel mobile when I park. I can leave it on the hood, lay it on the roof, hang it from the back/sides of the top, or just prop it up against the truck or a tree depending on what's convenient..

These are the charge controllers I'm considering. I would love one of the PWM options in a lower price range if anyone has good suggestions. Otherwise, is there a fatal flaw with either of these models and the panel have chosen? Thank you again for the suggestions and advice.

http://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-P...oliid=I182D9GSS9MO1B&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl

http://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Ch...liid=I22Z6VWDOBFT3Y&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have a couple guys with 100W systems using a Sunforce 60031 for the last 2 and 3 years with no complaints. You do not have enough wattage to justify a MPPT controller IMO.

 

[ab1985]

Thanks, Phil. I ended up going with a 10 Amp Renogy controller. Very basic, and I figure for $20 it will at least be a learning experience. I'll post up some pictures when I get around to hooking everything up.

 

[dcg141]

http://www.amazon.com/Victron-BlueS...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
I have one of these with a single 100W panel. I am really happy with it so far.