Solar @ Harbor Freight

[sargeek]

Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit for $159.00, regular price 249.00. Coupon was in the Sunday paper.

 

[Herbie]

Can anybody comment on the Harbor Freight solar stuff?

My guess (based on what I know about HF) is that it would underperform, but probably work. For the price, I'm thinking this falls into the "better than waiting until I can afford much better" category.

 

[wrcsixeight]

From what I've read over on the RV forums, the HF panels work, but take up a lot of room for their output.

Supposively the charge controller and inverter are next to worthless.

Hard to beat that price, but my 135 kyocera is only slightly larger than those 3 panels combined.

I believe I read than one purchaser was only getting 2.1 amps in full sun, and determined one panel was inoperable.

 

[ChadHahn]

Last time I was in the Costco in Tucson, I saw that they had some solar panels for sale. I don't know any particulars but I would imagine it would be a better deal than HF.

Chad

 

[kenallwine]

I agree with the above statement. The size of the panels is giant compared with their output. If you want to have solar, spend the money and get the roll up kind.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

If you google you can find a pretty 30-45amp 12V good kit for less than $200 with controller that is much higher quality.... This is when I was last looking about a year ago... These are static panels IE RV type that must be permanent mounted or clobber someone's RV kitchen while moving..

 

[Yudda]

Tons of video reviews of the HF solar kit on Youtube.

Its a good starter kit....to start playing w/ solar. Cheap intro to solar.

IMHO its not appropriate for vehicle use(size&weight vs output)

but it will charge a decent sized DCycle battery at home.


hope it helps,

rob

 

[stonehenge]

The Costco stuff was from this company http://www.sunforceproducts.com/

it was a 4 panel 60 or 65 watt setup for $250