If you have solar. I could use some help.

[Kevin K]

Looking at a50Watt New Solar Panel 12V Mono Crystalline Tempered Glass 25 year warranty MC4

Specifications on the solar panel

Web page 50Watt New Solar Panel 12V Mono Crystalline Tempered Glass 25 year warranty MC4 | eBay
Controller
HQRP Solar 10A Charge Power Controller / Regulator 12V / 24V 10 Amp with LED Indicator

Product Description

HQRP Solar Charge Controllers are high quality, efficient and reliable Solar Power Regulators. They are perfect for rural electrification system. They offer a lot of possibilities and benefits. Regulations point: 14.4 Volts; Low voltage Disconnect: 11.1V Volts; Low voltage Reconnect: 13.1 Volts; Microcontroller digital accuracy; Type of Charging: Series PWM & stat of charge(SOC); 4 Stages: equalization, PWM, Boost and Float, temperature compensated charging; Electronic protections: Short circuit and over current-solar and load; Reverse current at night; Limits high voltage to protect loads; Lighting protection; Tropicalization Conformal coated printed circuit board; Terminals For wire sizes to 6mm2; Self-consumption: 6mA maximum. Solar Controller supports up to 150W of 12V Solar panels and up to 300W of 24V Solar panels. For 12V solar panels, please, use battery and load for 12V solar systems (For 24V solar panels, please, use battery and load for 24V solar systems). HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Tester: To know the Solar UV Index, it is enough to compare the colorchange with the 4 standard colors around. Very light purple: low intensity, UV index 1-2. Sun-protection not necessary. Light purple: medium intensity, UV index 3-5. Sun-protection is recommended. Purple: strong intensity, UV index 6-7. Sun-protection is necessary. Dark purple: very strong intensity, UV index 8-11. This tester shows you the level of UV radiation and helps you protect your eyes and skin from negative sunlight effect. web page Amazon.com: HQRP Solar 10A Charge Power Controller / Regulator 12V / 24V 10 Amp with LED Indicator plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester: Patio, Lawn & Garden
My question is this a good simple setup?

[Thomas G.]

I was all set to buy the HQRP that you link, but decided to go with a Morningstar Sunsaver for $50 due to its more sophisticated multi-staged charging, temperature compensation and the Morningstar warranty / reputation. In any case I'm sure either would be fine.

Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Charge Controller, Solar Trackers - Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Solar PV, Solar Products, Charge Controllers, Solar Trackers

[Raz]

If you are not going to attach it to the trailer, I would avoid glass. My unisolar 42 watt has an aluminum frame and is plastic rather than glass. I have had the wind knock it down with no issues. Unfortunately they don't make them any more. Unisolar now makes flexible cells that are quite expensive but pretty much unbreakable and easy to store. If I every need a new one I will take a close look at those. For a 50 watt panel a 10 amp controller might be overkill. Byron has a 6 amp he likes. I don't recall the brand but a little poking around will turn it up. Raz

[Rene]

The charge controller shown does have 4 stage charging and temperature compensation. Other than being made in china it would seem to be an ok choice for the money. If you are willing to pay more Morningstar is a good option. And 10 Amps is a good size. It gives you a bit of room for expansion if you ever want to add panels and there is no money to be saved by getting a 6 amp controller.

[cpaharley2008]

It is a little heavy, they have lighter units.

[Kevin K]

Looks like most 50 watt solar panels are around 12lbs.
What type of material is used if it's not tempered glass?
Thanks for all the tips.

[Kevin K]

Good info on glass Solar panel - plate vs. tempered glass
Tempered glass is better.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Rene

The charge controller shown does have 4 stage charging and temperature compensation.........

Good catch. I'd forgotten that since I was researching and didn't read the whole text of Kevin's post. The Amazon reviews seem to pretty good for this Chinese controller, though I'm cautious about Chinese electronics from smaller companies with less oversight than say, television manufacturers.

[Raz]

"What type of material is used if it's not tempered glass?"

Since my cell is not mounted I am continually moving it. Breakage is a big concern. The unisolar amorphous cells are thin film semiconductor deposited on stainless steel as I recall, encased in plastic, then framed in aluminum. No glass. This makes for a very rugged, though somewhat larger cell. Unfortunately the don't make them any more. Perhaps someone else does? On the other hand, there are lots of folks on this forum using glass cells and I don't recall anyone reporting breaking one. Still I would investigate the flexible panels if I were in the market.

[Thomas G.]

I just checked to see who I bought my panel from and it was Sun Solar. They have this 50 watt panel for $95 with free shipping.

10 pieces 200watt 200w Sun Solar Panel PV Polycrystalline UL CEC Listed New items in sunsolarusa store on eBay!

[cpaharley2008]

Amazon has a 60 watt flexible panel- less than 4 lbs
Amazon.com: P3-62 Watt Black Foldable Sunlinq Flexible Solar Panel: Electronics
somewhat expensive, but the flexible panels seem a lot lighter than the glass ones.

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

somewhat expensive

You can say that again, 3 new FROM $812!

[Kevin K]

$812. out of my price range.

[cpaharley2008]

how about a 80 watt flexible for $468? 50 watts only $315
SunFlex 80W Flexible Solar Panel 80 Watts,free shipping

[Paul Chet]

Hey Kevin ... I just picked up the same panel on eBay for $115 ... how come everyone finds a better deal!? They are all pretty much the same and all ship from pretty much the same part of California. Definitely from China, but they have operations here in the U.S. It arrives in a couple of days and I will try it out immediately since we leave next week for Yosemite for a week of off-grid camping with Play Pac #2. I got the 10 amp controller as well. The whole system is modeled after the one on Play Pac #1 (which will be up for sale shortly!). The P.O. was a whiz at solar and it is such a huge plus to have it. Only difference is we went from a 40w to the 50w that you are looking at. Exact same specs. I'll let you know what I think of it at first flash.

[Raz]

These are a little better until you read the fine print. They will be happy to write "sample" on the box to help beat the customs charge, that is, if the panel is less than $100.

80Watt Flexible Solar Panel Battery Charger for boat caravan RV solar camper | eBay

[Kevin K]

Paul Chet
Keep me posted.

[Kevin K]

If you have a portable solar panel, how long is your cable and what size?
size 14-2
size 12-2
size 10-2
Going to buy 50 watt solar panel and 10 amp controller.

[Thomas G.]

Be sure to mount the controller next to the battery as opposed to the solar panel.

[RogerDat]

Seat of the pants that looks like it would put about 17 ah back into your battery per day. Is this enough based on what you think you will use?

I use ((1 x amp output) * 4 hrs) + ((.5 x amp output) * 4 hrs) to ballpark it, found that someplace and it seemed reasonable. 4hrs of full power and 4hrs of 1/2 power.

If you could swing another $100 you could bump that charging capacity to around 29 ah a day with a single 48" panel. Or add another later, whatever works.

Agree with the idea of 10amp charge controller better to have some extra capacity, never know you might get a deal on a second panel someplace and time in the future.