Solar Panel Kit From Ebay

[Motters79]

Hi everyone, been looking at this 300w solar panel kit on ebay.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F222770435750

Seems good value. Can anyone experienced give me an idea of they are decent? 

I've been on my boat for 4 months now and have just had to replace my 3 leisure batteries.  I'm a Continuous Cruiser and currently only have my engine to charge batteries and so don't want to knacker my new ones. I need solar panels quick to help increase my charging capacity but I'm wary of buying duff cheap ones on ebay.

FYI I have 3 110ah leisure batteries and a dedicated 95amp alternater on my Beta 43. There is a seperate one for starter battery. 

 

[canals are us?]

No idea of the ebay items. Have a look at bimble solar. I bought some used panels and a new Tracer 40A MPPT controller. Very satisfied customer.

They do kits, or just look for what you want. If you have space the single 260watt used panel at £99 is a good price, then add a 20,30 or 40A MPPT controller depending if you plan to add more panels. What do you need to power during summer? Winter forget solar. Only get an amp or 2 at best if lucky.

http://www.bimblesolar.com/solar/individual/canadian260w-used

James

[dor]

It looks a reasonable deal, for the capacity and the fitting kit, cables and controller.  However there is no real way of knowing how good it actually is unless you can talk to someone with direct experience. I.e. normal eBay caution.  And you would have to deal with a company in China if you had any problems.  Be aware that a lot of 'cheap' MPPT controllers do not function fully as a MPPT, more like a standard controller.  There are some reputable companies in the UK who have been selling solar panels for many years and have a good reputation; e.g. Bimble as mentioned above or Midsummer (I can personally recommend the latter).

[Murflynn]

AFAIK the description MPPT seems to be treated by many Chinese ebay sellers as a brand or an adjective like 'marvellous'.  I'm sure if you asked them they wouldn't have a clue.

[reg]

Another vote for Bimble Solar.

For about the same money I would get a mono 270w panel(mono much better than the £99 polycystaline)

http://www.bimblesolar.com/solar/individual/solarworld270w

A well proven and oft recommended Tracer 2215BN Series 20a mppt controller. Note the BN series is the one to go for, many debates on this elsewhere.

http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/mppt/Tracer2215BN

A MT50 meter, comes with cable. Basically this is essential for the Tracer BN MPPT controllers.

 

Cables and fittings are available from Bimble also. you can make up your own kit.

So 270w mono panel £168.42 + delivery

Tracer 20a mppt £105.26

MT50 Meter £26.32

Extras would be:

Cabling as required

Mc4 connectors for the cabling.

Mounting brackets as required 

That should give you a very nice kit from a respected uk based company.

Note: delivery for the first panel is £26 and then £6 for each additional panel (Free if you can pick up from Brighton). if you could share the cost with other boaters you could make saving on the delivery charges.

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2018 by reg

[canals are us?]

As said the Remote MT50 meter for the BN series controller is a great piece of kit as you can adjust the controllers voltage settings under user settings and every now and again do an equalisation charge at 15.5v - 16 volts to get rid of sulphation on your batteries. I can also do it on my inverter charger but if no mains available can't do it, but can with the solar MT50 meter.

James