Community Forums

rodallg · 10-06-2015, 11:46 AM

What are the best brand of solar panels? Looking to add but have no clue on brands.

deandec · 10-06-2015, 12:25 PM

I have no clue as to best brands.

I just installed a single 100w panel kit from Amazon which had hundreds of positive reviews. The kit was shy of $200 delivered.

Next panel will cost about $170 delivered.

http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-V...ar+panel&psc=1

LVJ58 · 10-06-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodallg

What are the best brand of solar panels? Looking to add but have no clue on brands.

We had a solar panel installed on our coach several years ago by AJL Solar out of Lake Havasu AZ. You might want to give them a call and perhaps they can help with your question.

Here's their website address: AJL Solar in Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 | (928)453-9288

Good luck & safe travels.......

**pasdad1** · 10-06-2015, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodallg

What are the best brand of solar panels? Looking to add but have no clue on brands.

I have read reports which say Kyocera, Aurinco, and Solara are good brands....probably many others. I will add to the list as I find them.

530ktm · 10-06-2015, 12:52 PM

I have had good luck with this brand, I think many sources use these.

SPECS - 160W MONO GS-S-160-Fab8

michealwhela · 10-07-2015, 12:45 PM

I have read and been told that Mono-Crystalline panels are superior to Poly-Crystalline. More efficient and longer lasting. They are of course more expensive. I have been doing my search for a system based on type of system and quality of components and then looking at reputation of the manufacturer. The link from 530ktm is one of the resellers I have been interested in.

Waiter21 · 10-07-2015, 05:08 PM

I just bought one of these Renolgy 100watt kits ($165). I plan on mounting the panel on the roof next week and hooking it up. 3-5 amps should keep the battery charged and satisify my needs for now

100 Watts 12 Volts Polycrystalline Solar Bundle Kit | Renogy Solar

..

legryz · 10-09-2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I just bought one of these Renolgy 100watt kits ($165). I plan on mounting the panel on the roof next week and hooking it up. 3-5 amps should keep the battery charged and satisify my needs for now

100 Watts 12 Volts Polycrystalline Solar Bundle Kit | Renogy Solar

..

Waiter21:
I really don't know a lot about solar systems (I'm learning) but I just read the specs. on the system you purchased and it says that it is a + positive ground system and that RV systems are - negative ground. Is that the correct system for your RV?

deandec · 10-09-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legryz

Waiter21:
I really don't know a lot about solar systems (I'm learning) but I just read the specs. on the system you purchased and it says that it is a + positive ground system and that RV systems are - negative ground. Is that the correct system for your RV?

It works on my rig which is negative grounded.

legryz · 10-09-2015, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

It works on my rig which is negative grounded.

Great but how is it hooked-up if it +positive ground?
Just trying to learn.

Waiter21 · 10-09-2015, 11:19 AM

Legryz. The "Positive" ground is referring to how the solar controller switches anything that is connected to the "LOAD" connections,

The controller has a set of "BATTERY" terminals that connect to the battery, and a set of "LOADS" terminals that can be used to turn on/off things like lights, motors, pumps, etc., two items:

1) The solar controllers job is to take care of the battery. It does this by not only controlling the charge to the battery, but can also control "LOADS" that are connected. By turning off anything that is connected to the LOAD terminals, it can keep loads from killing an already low battery. On many solar controllers, the "LOADS" terminals can also be programmed for time of day, i.e. turn off a night light at midnight, and turn it back on at 8pm.

2) Normally, we (RV people) do not use the "LOAD" connections on the controller to turn stuff on/off. all of our loads are connected directly to the battery.

Picture the controllers LOADS as nothing more than a simple switch (thats all it is) One end of that switch is connected to the MINUS of the battery. The other end of that switch connects to your load. The other end of your load should then be connected to the PLUS on the battery.

legryz · 10-09-2015, 11:40 AM

Yes I understand that but on the link you posted to the system you purchased it says it has a +positive ground controller, not a -negative ground like our RV's have. How is that hooked up?

deandec · 10-09-2015, 12:32 PM

Positive terminal to positive terminal.

Negative terminal to negative terminal.

Solar Panel to Controller to Battery.........

legryz · 10-09-2015, 12:53 PM

This is what I'm trying to understand, the below statement from the link.

http://www.renogy-store.com/100W-Pol...bundle100p.htm

Please Note: This is a Positive Ground Charge Controller. If grounding is necessary, it must be completed on the positive line. If the controller is to be used on a vehicle which has battery negative on the chassis, loads connected to the controller must not have an electrical connection to the vehicle body.
If you want to connect this solar system to a negative ground battery bank, you can choose Renogy RV kit or Renogy Premium kit.