Portable solar charger

[nathan4610]

I know some of you have asked before where I got my 100watt portable/folding solar charger that I use at the SSZS.

This is a bigger 160 watt version with a better charge controller on sale for $179 from my favorite so-cal solar store.

I just received the email, and they usually dont have them available so if your interested here ya go.

https://www.solarblvd.com/products/solar-cynergy-160-watt-foldable-12-volt-solar-panel-2/

[G-Man WC]

Tag

[capitol]

This is considered portable? I'll wait a few more years.

Dimensions when folded up:
20″ x 40″ x 3.25″

Dimensions when opened:
40″ x 40″

Weight: 40 lbs.

[ExtremeX]

Ridged panels are a bit cumbersome and and bit fragile for portable use.

I pieced together my own 60 watt system with a quality MPPT controller... its portable, small, light, easy to store, and not fragile.

Its more for my emergency coms preps and camping but its been working perfectly.

Ammo can is a 30 cal (which is also my optional field battery back) for size comparison. I can still use it to charge a car battery or supply any other 12v system.

[uparmor]

Yeah thin film is the way to go. Use an mppt too.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18V-100W-Foldable-Solar-Panel-Charger-Pack-for-12V-Lead-Batteries-and-Laptop-/282462892234?hash=item41c419b0ca:g:md4AAOSwcgNZDTdg

[loadedpete]

Can you confirm what the battery life is like on the 60 watt system?

[ExtremeX]

Can you confirm what the battery life is like on the 60 watt system?

It's a 12 volt 17 amp hour lead acid battery...

The panel itself is capable of sustaining a 4-5 amp load by itself in ideal conditions...

You really don't want more than a 50% depth of discharge on a lead acid battery...

...then you have to do the math based on your load requirements.

[riprap]

Buy a Hardened Power Systems Juice Box with panels

[loadedpete]

It's a 12 volt 17 amp hour lead acid battery...

The panel itself is capable of sustaining a 4-5 amp load by itself in ideal conditions...

You really don't want more than a 50% depth of discharge on a lead acid battery...

...then you have to do the math based on your load requirements.

Thanks for the info, I like the setup. Not knowing how old it is, what could I expect to pay for something similar?

[ExtremeX]

Thanks for the info, I like the setup. Not knowing how old it is, what could I expect to pay for something similar?

It's not something I bought, its something I built... you can find details about it here.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1288481

I don't know regarding cost... there are commercial solutions that exist like GoalZero, and you can make some really budget solar stuff too. You can go as cheap or as expensive as you want. Most of this stuff I had already...

More importantly you need to know what you want to do with it so you don't under buy, or over buy...

Solar panels cost what they cost (about $1 to $1.75 per watt), and charge controls can range. I went with something a little higher end than I really needed for the controller, but it is nice and more efficient. It makes better use of the available panel I have available than something like a PWM controller.

Basically all I am trying to say, it can really range in price and it helps to know what it is ur buying before you buy it.

[nathan4610]

This is considered portable? I'll wait a few more years.

Dimensions when folded up:
20″ x 40″ x 3.25″

Dimensions when opened:
40″ x 40″

Weight: 40 lbs.

My version of portable might be different than yours. My system uses 2 50 watt panels. Those are approx 30" square and about 3.5" thick when folded. Mine also came with a nylon carrying case/bag. Im not saying this is backpack portable, just portable enough for people who need more than the avearage harbor freight crap panels or the folding type panels shown in the above posts. It works fantastic for me to power all my radio gear and Ubiquiti wifi for the SSZS. The main goal is price. I could never see buying those prepackaged goal zero units due to the super high price per watt that they go for.

Yeah thin film is the way to go. Use an mppt too.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18V-100W-Fol...4AAOSwcgNZDTdg

The panels you listed are monocrystiline, not thin film.
EVERY single thin film panel i have tested is far inferior to either mono or poly crystalline.

I just posted those because the suppliers very rarely have stock of the folding units like what i bought from them several years ago, and like i said above my system is only 100 watt and much more "portable".

[wpage]

This technologie needs to lighten up B4 I am ready...

[ExtremeX]

The panels you listed are monocrystiline, not thin film.
EVERY single thin film panel i have tested is far inferior to either mono or poly crystalline.

You are right, but I would not call them inferior because it's a trade-off of sorts and for different types of applications... Its like saying a sub compact pistols are inferior compared to a rifle, but the best gun is the one you have with you. IF you need size and mobility, then thin film (or whatever I got) is the answer. You could even say it was superior

Most all thin film based panels are not as efficient and I can agree with that 100%. Sometimes by a good margin for the same square footage.

But there are applications where you can't put a ridge panel, and having thin film gets you more than not having it. I love my folding 60 watt panel... its not too far off from my Renogy 50 monocrystiline.

I don't really think what I have is considered thin film... I think its something in between, but to be honest I am not really sure. It works well and isn't all that thin or flexible when compared to traditional thin film. But it does fold up nice at the seams.

[ExtremeX]

This technologie needs to lighten up B4 I am ready...

If you are willing to DIY, its already here.

I'm working on a new portable power pack... using a Lithium cells out of a production electric car.

The power to weight ratio is bonkers when compared to lead acid.

Sealed Lead Acid
(Same as the one I used in the 30 cal ammo can back to back)
17ah @ 24v - 50% depth of discharge = 8.5 amp hours usable.


Lithium battery out of a production EV.
100ah @ 24v - 70% depth of discharge = 70 amp hours usable


That's over 8 times more capacity for a similar size and weight... and WAY more discharge current.

Capability is night and day. Easily run a 20A residential circuit off just one. I got a few of em... probably going to build a couple into a pelican case for portable power / emergency power and its still man portable. Use the rest for residential solar...

[nathan4610]

How much are you paying for the lithiums? And are they LiFePo chem or something else?