Going Solar
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Yakistan, WA
Haha!!Here is something I found. Need to dig deeper into how they are built:
Flexcell Sunslick 14WATTS Flexible Solar Panel for Marine Yachting | eBay
They also build one in a 27 watt size that is a tad over 2' wide...
Flexcell Sunslick 14WATTS Flexible Solar Panel for Marine Yachting | eBay
They also build one in a 27 watt size that is a tad over 2' wide...
So what about the panel? They are made in Switzerland, I can't find anyone that sells the 27 watt but you could use 2 - 14s, though likely one would do it. I found the best price on one for $40 plus $10 shipping on Amazon, you might be able to get them to ship two for that price. And the eBay seller has a "make offer" on his listing, so you could try that route too. You should be able to get a couple for $90 to your door.
I did a little research on the same controller I use: a Morningstar SG-4 and it can be permanently hooked to a battery set that also has other charging inputs, without harming the SG-4. Shop around and you can get one in the $25-$30 range to your door.
So we get you 28 watts which will be more than sufficient for $90 and say it's $30 for the controller (tho I did get mine for less and you can too), and we are at $120 with money left in your budget for wire and connectors
The only concern I have is that the Flexcell unit doesn't look like it have the conventional plug style I see on most solar wiring.....
How would I connect it?
I am also considering this one as a beginner pack. I know its tempered glass and only 10 watts:
Thanks again for all your help Scott
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
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From: Foothills, CA
Actually a lot of panels use an MC-3 or MC-4 connector, I don't know what this Swiss one uses. I figure you'd cut off anything that didn't match and solder on the right connector. Yes the SG-4 needs to have whatever connector type you are using put on both the in and out.
I've got no comment on the all-in-one you found other than we could have been looking at all kinds of different stuff, but it seemed there was a "plan".
Have fun with whatever you decide to do.......
I've got no comment on the all-in-one you found other than we could have been looking at all kinds of different stuff, but it seemed there was a "plan".
Have fun with whatever you decide to do.......
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Yakistan, WA
Actually a lot of panels use an MC-3 or MC-4 connector, I don't know what this Swiss one uses. I figure you'd cut off anything that didn't match and solder on the right connector. Yes the SG-4 needs to have whatever connector type you are using put on both the in and out.
I've got no comment on the all-in-one you found other than we could have been looking at all kinds of different stuff, but it seemed there was a "plan".
Have fun with whatever you decide to do.......
I've got no comment on the all-in-one you found other than we could have been looking at all kinds of different stuff, but it seemed there was a "plan".
Have fun with whatever you decide to do.......
It's still hard to see all this working with no previous experience. So I am still kinda worried about all of it. Like screwing it up. That's all. But I guess I should remember I have this community for all the help.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
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From: Virginia Beach VA
Been watching this thread... curiously.
Why the controller? If the solar panel had a cigarette plug, why not just plug directly into the power port. It would charge during the daytime only and at that wattage/voltage output, keep the battery full and probably charge to 100% pretty fast.... if the battery isn't overly low to begin with.
If you look at the sunpack, its roll able and equipped with a cigarette lighter plug. The 14w rated sunpack is 59" long, probably fit across the dash.
Why the controller? If the solar panel had a cigarette plug, why not just plug directly into the power port. It would charge during the daytime only and at that wattage/voltage output, keep the battery full and probably charge to 100% pretty fast.... if the battery isn't overly low to begin with.
If you look at the sunpack, its roll able and equipped with a cigarette lighter plug. The 14w rated sunpack is 59" long, probably fit across the dash.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Yakistan, WA
Been watching this thread... curiously.
Why the controller? If the solar panel had a cigarette plug, why not just plug directly into the power port. It would charge during the daytime only and at that wattage/voltage output, keep the battery full and probably charge to 100% pretty fast.... if the battery isn't overly low to begin with.
If you look at the sunpack, its roll able and equipped with a cigarette lighter plug. The 14w rated sunpack is 59" long, probably fit across the dash.
Why the controller? If the solar panel had a cigarette plug, why not just plug directly into the power port. It would charge during the daytime only and at that wattage/voltage output, keep the battery full and probably charge to 100% pretty fast.... if the battery isn't overly low to begin with.
If you look at the sunpack, its roll able and equipped with a cigarette lighter plug. The 14w rated sunpack is 59" long, probably fit across the dash.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
this would work great for keeping on the dash when I'm on travel for weeks at a time. I park the truck and leave it, week or two later, drive it home.
I'd bet that the controller could be added into the cord of the panel. Clip the wires, insert the controller and put the plug back on. Then just plug the thing into the power port, should do everything from there by itself. Roll up and put under the seat until I travel again.... now to find the sunpak on line.
I'd bet that the controller could be added into the cord of the panel. Clip the wires, insert the controller and put the plug back on. Then just plug the thing into the power port, should do everything from there by itself. Roll up and put under the seat until I travel again.... now to find the sunpak on line.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
this would work great for keeping on the dash when I'm on travel for weeks at a time. I park the truck and leave it, week or two later, drive it home.
I'd bet that the controller could be added into the cord of the panel. Clip the wires, insert the controller and put the plug back on. Then just plug the thing into the power port, should do everything from there by itself. Roll up and put under the seat until I travel again.... now to find the sunpak on line.
I'd bet that the controller could be added into the cord of the panel. Clip the wires, insert the controller and put the plug back on. Then just plug the thing into the power port, should do everything from there by itself. Roll up and put under the seat until I travel again.... now to find the sunpak on line.
If it is a 5 watt panel, fine, run it direct. 10 watt maybe, depending on how long you are gone. 15 (or so) watts and above? I don't want to worry...
But that's just me...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
It isn't much money, even if it is a total loss. It isn't much risk of screwing it up, because it is a positive lead and a ground, and that is it -- you are buying the stuff that had to be engineered...
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
Well that's a pretty good price. Panel with charger and 12v plug for the power port...$90. Roll it up and put under the back seat. Plug it in, throw the panel on the dash and slid a sun shield behind to keep heat down in the truck.
Last question Scott... it say rated to +60c, that's 140f and I know the dash can get hotter than that, probably more like 180*, trucks a black one with black interior. Think it will hurt the panel?
Last question Scott... it say rated to +60c, that's 140f and I know the dash can get hotter than that, probably more like 180*, trucks a black one with black interior. Think it will hurt the panel?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
Well that's a pretty good price. Panel with charger and 12v plug for the power port...$90. Roll it up and put under the back seat. Plug it in, throw the panel on the dash and slid a sun shield behind to keep heat down in the truck.
Last question Scott... it say rated to +60c, that's 140f and I know the dash can get hotter than that, probably more like 180*, trucks a black one with black interior. Think it will hurt the panel?
Last question Scott... it say rated to +60c, that's 140f and I know the dash can get hotter than that, probably more like 180*, trucks a black one with black interior. Think it will hurt the panel?
So shoot us a link to what you found
I run my set-up on the wife's Expy dash and it worked just fine -- doesn't sound as flexible as what you are looking at (would be cool if they integrated one into a sunshade! One step process
)
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
The Flexcell Sunpak is a nice unit, but $$ is an issue for that model. Not available here in the US and then cost prohibitive at 177euro ($200US). Not paying that for a < 1amp charger.
http://www.solarc.de/cms/media/Downl...207_14%20W.pdf
However, the Flexcell Sunslick is a nice looking panel and at $50, basically a no risk, good deal.
Just like you posted, SG4 controller, Flexcell SunSlick 14w panel @ .9amp and a $3 12v male power plug. $90 and 20 minutes work. Add the controller in the middle, attach the power plug. Plug it into the power port, put up your panel and walk. The panel at 52" would cover most of the windshield and complete under 2lbs, wished it could be folded, but i think it could be rolled fairly small.
Would be cool if the controller desulfated the batteries!
http://www.solarc.de/cms/media/Downl...207_14%20W.pdf
However, the Flexcell Sunslick is a nice looking panel and at $50, basically a no risk, good deal.
Just like you posted, SG4 controller, Flexcell SunSlick 14w panel @ .9amp and a $3 12v male power plug. $90 and 20 minutes work. Add the controller in the middle, attach the power plug. Plug it into the power port, put up your panel and walk. The panel at 52" would cover most of the windshield and complete under 2lbs, wished it could be folded, but i think it could be rolled fairly small.
Would be cool if the controller desulfated the batteries!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
The Flexcell Sunpak is a nice unit, but $$ is an issue for that model. Not available here in the US and then cost prohibitive at 177euro ($200US). Not paying that for a < 1amp charger.
http://www.solarc.de/cms/media/Downl...207_14%20W.pdf
However, the Flexcell Sunslick is a nice looking panel and at $50, basically a no risk, good deal.
Just like you posted, SG4 controller, Flexcell SunSlick 14w panel @ .9amp and a $3 12v male power plug. $90 and 20 minutes work. Add the controller in the middle, attach the power plug. Plug it into the power port, put up your panel and walk. The panel at 52" would cover most of the windshield and complete under 2lbs, wished it could be folded, but i think it could be rolled fairly small.
Would be cool if the controller desulfated the batteries!
http://www.solarc.de/cms/media/Downl...207_14%20W.pdf
However, the Flexcell Sunslick is a nice looking panel and at $50, basically a no risk, good deal.
Just like you posted, SG4 controller, Flexcell SunSlick 14w panel @ .9amp and a $3 12v male power plug. $90 and 20 minutes work. Add the controller in the middle, attach the power plug. Plug it into the power port, put up your panel and walk. The panel at 52" would cover most of the windshield and complete under 2lbs, wished it could be folded, but i think it could be rolled fairly small.
Would be cool if the controller desulfated the batteries!
Oh and bonus round: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) does desulfation of your batteries
Here's a white paper from Morningstar:
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/wp-co....-Why-PWM1.pdf
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
I looked at some others, storage is an issue and possible damage by passengers in the back seat. It needs to be put away, out of the way of feet stomping on it and moving a square panel around would become a pain.
This one is pretty nice, fold-able and 27w for 2.5amp output, should do the job nicely! Add the controller and a plug, $140
Has multiple power connections USB/12v and would work great in camp for a cell phone/laptop charge. I'm thinking this would also fit in the back pocket of the seat. Still relatively low cost and extremely portable.
Charge controller here
Makes it $115
This one is pretty nice, fold-able and 27w for 2.5amp output, should do the job nicely! Add the controller and a plug, $140
Has multiple power connections USB/12v and would work great in camp for a cell phone/laptop charge. I'm thinking this would also fit in the back pocket of the seat. Still relatively low cost and extremely portable.
Charge controller here
Makes it $115
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
I looked at some others, storage is an issue and possible damage by passengers in the back seat. It needs to be put away, out of the way of feet stomping on it and moving a square panel around would become a pain.
This one is pretty nice, fold-able and 27w for 2.5amp output, should do the job nicely! Add the controller and a plug, $140
Amazon.com: Instapark® Mercury27 Portable & Foldable 27 Watts Solar Battery Charger with DC 12V Output: Automotive
Has multiple power connections USB/12v and would work great in camp for a cell phone/laptop charge. I'm thinking this would also fit in the back pocket of the seat. Still relatively low cost and extremely portable.
Charge controller here Amazon.com : Instapark INCC1205 12V / 5A Waterproof PWM Solar Charge Controller : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Makes it $115
This one is pretty nice, fold-able and 27w for 2.5amp output, should do the job nicely! Add the controller and a plug, $140
Amazon.com: Instapark® Mercury27 Portable & Foldable 27 Watts Solar Battery Charger with DC 12V Output: Automotive
Has multiple power connections USB/12v and would work great in camp for a cell phone/laptop charge. I'm thinking this would also fit in the back pocket of the seat. Still relatively low cost and extremely portable.
Charge controller here Amazon.com : Instapark INCC1205 12V / 5A Waterproof PWM Solar Charge Controller : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Makes it $115
I'm not familiar at all with that controller but it looks clean and I like that it has indicator lights, something the unit I'm using doesn't have. I have used several Morningstar controllers now and one Steca (German) and all are working fine.
I think you put together a winner!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
Don't think I even have to do that, the controller has the same plug as the panel. Just cut the battery clamps off and add a male 12v cigarette plug to fit the power port... done in 5 minutes.
thanks for the knowledge you shared.
thanks for the knowledge you shared.
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