FYI on some solar panel sales

[herm]

i got another cable long enough to go to my control and cut it in half. worked out nicely.

 

[Butch1979]

Wiring

So I should be able to take the below pictured MC4 cable, cut one end off and wire it to the Sunguard Morningstar regulator and then the regulator to the battery? Then, my solar panel can be connected to my deep cycle battery setup?

I'm ordering all the odds and ends I won't have locally to build this and don't want to be stopped for something simple like a cable.

 

[dwh]

You cut that cable in the picture in half. One end goes to the PV positive MC4, and the other to the PV negative MC4 - then you have two bare ends you can strip to do the wiring.

BTW - MC4 connectors take a special tool:

http://www.solar-electric.com/ditoformc4co.html

 

[Tim A]

Yep. MC4s on 10AWG coming out of a junction box. I just decided to hack of the MC4s and added Anderson Power Poles (found on my Goal Zero). I might have voided the warranty but I think that it's a bit silly considering it's just some cable going to a junction box. Any problems would be BEFORE the wires going out!
I've read that you can just by a short MC4 extension cable and cut THAT in two and add that to the panel cables, keeping your warranty good. I didn't feel like having ANY MC4s in my system so chop chop.

mattm01,

I'm ordering the GZ 350 today and want to add one of these panels. I do not need a controller correct? Also, you said you added Anderson power poles to the panel's cabling...are those the male or female Andersons?

On a separate note: you said you took apart the 350 power pack, did you notice what group size battery is in there? In your opinion, is it possible to replace the battery down the road if the battery capacity diminishes? Thanks!

 

[mattm01]

No controller needed on the GZ 350. It's built in with a 10amp max. Pretty sure its PWM. Note that the INPUT is NOT Anderson but the "proprietary" GZ 8mm round plug. I chopped an extra 8mm GZ cord I had and added an Anderson plug to one end and left the MALE 8mm on the other. You need the smallest 15amp Anderson's for the GZ wire and the larger 45 Amp ones for the 10 gauge coming off the panel. Anderson Plugs are unisex. No male or female.

Forgot Amp hour inside but definitely user replaceable battery.

 

[Tim A]

No controller needed on the GZ 350. It's built in with a 10amp max. Pretty sure its PWM. Note that the INPUT is NOT Anderson but the "proprietary" GZ 8mm round plug. I chopped an extra 8mm GZ cord I had and added an Anderson plug to one end and left the MALE 8mm on the other. You need the smallest 15amp Anderson's for the GZ wire and the larger 45 Amp ones for the 10 gauge coming off the panel. Anderson Plugs are unisex. No male or female.

Forgot Amp hour inside but definitely user replaceable battery.

Thanks for the info. Got my 350 plus 30w panel in. Peace of mind knowing that I don't have to send the unit to get the battery replaced.

 

[EXP-T100]

I went to the site it seems the 80w and the 60w are not available any more.

I been waiting a 60w or 80w for some time now as well. They still dont have any 60w but they do have the 80w in now and for about $20 cheaper
(in stock & current $$)
100watt- $135
80watt - $108
40watt- $55

Josh

 

[dwh]

Get 'em while you can.

Solar Cynergy's PV modules (solar panels) are made using PV cells from Q-cells - and Q-cells is now officially belly up.

http://www.thelocal.de/money/20120402-41715.html

 

[EXP-T100]

Just got an email from solarblvd.com about a sale
Solar Cynergy 120 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel $145.00

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Pane...20-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html

they also have there 60 watt panels back in stock for $79.90

Josh

 

[F5driver]

Just got an email from solarblvd.com about a sale
Solar Cynergy 120 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel $145.00

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Pane...20-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html

they also have there 60 watt panels back in stock for $79.90

Josh

Please forgive the newbie question. Do these panels come with wiring or do I have to order something like this and run it to my controller?
http://www.solarblvd.com/Cables-&-W...nnector-#10-AWG-Male/Female/product_info.html

 

[EXP-T100]

good question i wish i would have asked before i ordered my panel. Yes you will need to order that kit or cut the connectors off and do something different. now i need to figure out what route to take, order the kit or buy new connectors, think i will just order the kit.

 

[F5driver]

I ordered the 80w panel and associated cables. Those prices are hard to pass up.

 

[teotwaki]

Kyocera 130 Watt 12v panel for $175.50

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Pane...Volt-Solar-Panel.-KC130GT-2/product_info.html

Maximum power - Pmax 130 W (+10% / -5%)
Maximum power voltage - Vmpp 17.6 V
Maximum power current - Impp 7.39 A
Open circuit voltage - Voc 21.7 V
Short circuit current - Isc 8.02 A

 

[bansil]

good question i wish i would have asked before i ordered my panel. Yes you will need to order that kit or cut the connectors off and do something different. now i need to figure out what route to take, order the kit or buy new connectors, think i will just order the kit.

Pull the cover off the junction box,unscrew wire and make your own...

 

[EXP-T100]

Pull the cover off the junction box,unscrew wire and make your own...

hey thanks bansil i have not taken much time to look at the junction box but if its that easy i will go that way instead of shelling out more money.

Josh