120 watt solar panel for $145

[Thomas G.]

This seems like a pretty good price. To MI shipping is $32

Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Solar PV, Solar Products, Charge Controllers, Solar Trackers

[P. Raz]

For years $5 /watt was considered a good price. I know prices have been coming down but that's less than $1.50 /watt delivered. I wonder why so cheap? Raz

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

....... I wonder why so cheap? Raz

Dunno. My guess is that it is Chinese and is at the head of the falling price curve on solar panels. I paid $120 for a 60 watt (delivered) and was impressed with the observed quality. I have not hooked it up yet..........

[D Davis]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

This seems like a pretty good price. To MI shipping is $32

Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Solar PV, Solar Products, Charge Controllers, Solar Trackers

Tom, looks like a great price! Then don't you need to add a controller and how do you mount it? 57" long. I am also watching and thinking of a solar panel, so just gathering info. Let us know if you decide on this and how you will be proceeding with the install. Thanks for sharing the link.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by D Davis

Tom, looks like a great price! Then don't you need to add a controller and how do you mount it? 57" long. I am also watching and thinking of a solar panel, so just gathering info. Let us know if you decide on this and how you will be proceeding with the install. Thanks for sharing the link.

Yes, you need a controller, too. I paid about $50 for one for the 60 watt panel that I bought. I used some aluminum pieces to extend the current UHaul mount, as the 60 watt panel extends about 6 inches in all directions from the current mount.

I think this panel is too big for a 13' UHaul, but might be nice for a larger trailer. They also have a 60 watt panel for $80 + shipping.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by D Davis

Tom, looks like a great price! Then don't you need to add a controller and how do you mount it? 57" long. I am also watching and thinking of a solar panel, so just gathering info. Let us know if you decide on this and how you will be proceeding with the install. Thanks for sharing the link.

A charge controller will be needed. The specs look good. However, for a group 24 or 27 battery it might be a bit overkill. According to what I've been reading maximum charge current should not exceed 8% of 20 hour rating. A group 24 is 20 hour rating is 74 to 80 amp hours which would make the maximum charge current 5.9 amps 6.4 amps.
120 amp hour group 27 is 9.6 amps
The solar panel in the link current output is 7.6 amps.

It looks like it could be close to the maximum your battery should have.

Bigger sometimes is not necessarily better. Something more to consider.

[Greg H]

Gotta be Chinese.

[D Davis]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Yes, you need a controller, too. I paid about $50 for one for the 60 watt panel that I bought. I used some aluminum pieces to extend the current UHaul mount, as the 60 watt panel extends about 6 inches in all directions from the current mount.

I think this panel is too big for a 13' UHaul, but might be nice for a larger trailer. They also have a 60 watt panel for $80 + shipping.

Tom, can't wait to see how you install your solar panel. Take pichas for us please. You have been busy.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by D Davis

Tom, can't wait to see how you install your solar panel. Take pichas for us please. You have been busy.

OK, if you insist.

First two pictures are with new 60 watt solar panel. Last photo is with original solar panel for comparison. You can also see my new seam trim.

[mary and bob]

How much wind lift is that going to have at 70 MPH ??

[melissab]

70??? Goodness Gracious I sure hope not.

[Mike Magee]

Do the charge controllers have a way to set the maximum current output, to avoid charging too fast? Just curious.

Tom, you should have set that up so it stuck out past the back of the trailer... it would have looked like your CT had a rear spoiler. Good looking mod.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

How much wind lift is that going to have at 70 MPH ??

Hopefully just enough to keep the wheels off the ground. Less drag that way.

Originally Posted by melissab

70??? Goodness Gracious I sure hope not.

Ah, c'mon. No sense of adventure?

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Do the charge controllers have a way to set the maximum current output, to avoid charging too fast? Just curious.

Tom, you should have set that up so it stuck out past the back of the trailer... it would have looked like your CT had a rear spoiler. Good looking mod.

I put on a Morningstar 10 amp controller that has 3 stages of charging. The maximum charge rate is limited by the ratio of the panel size to the battery size. Other controllers may have additional controls - maybe someone else knows.

Thanks. My Li'l Uhaul CT GT

[D Davis]

All I can say is WOW! You did a great Job! And the Lil Ct GT looks good, Rock and Roll! 70's...Really?