Solar panels any recommendations?

[VicS]

My 5 watt panel has given up the ghost so i am looking for a new one.

It must be low profile and suitable for bolting down to a flat surface. No need for it to be in any way flexible.

I have a space 300mm high by 510mm wide on the sloping cabin front which is just large enough to take some makes of 10watt panels. So rather sold on the idea of upgrading to 10W (even though it will really need a regulator)

I have been to Maplin today to look at a 10W panel they have HERE I did not like the 1" high sharp cornered aluminium frame it was mounted in, was doubtful about the connection box being really weatherproof and it would have needed brackets making to fix it down so did nor buy although despite the frame and its sharp corners it could do.

Seateach in Emsworth have one which may be suitable. The MSX10L from their "Lite modules range" HERE Somewhat cheaper than the Maplin one!

Any suggestions or comments.

 

[jerryat]

Certainly don't think you'd need a regulator for a 10w panel. That would, if it were 100% efficient, only input less than an amp. and they definitely aren't 100% efficient, then there's the voltage drop over the length of wire, connections etc.

Just go for whichever unit fits the space you have.

The Solarex 'Lite' models are pretty good. We've had our 30 watt one aboard full time for the last 12 years and it's still out-putting damned near it's designed output.

BUT, I have had to maintain it carefully, because the kevlar (I believe it is) outer face does crack after a few years. I've twice had to open this up and solder the element together when the water's got in. As long as you plonk a minimal amount of clear silicone in any crack you see that appears, you'll be fine.

This sounds bad, but we were full time cruising for almost ten years, and the unit got trodden on and kicked a few times during that, so all in all, I recommend the make. I've not yet seen any that have survived any better.

 

[Loginname]

I've got a Solarex panel which has been trouble free since I bought it 5 or 6 years ago. It's only a couple of millimetres thick and has no sharp corners.

The connection block is only about 5 or 6mm high, with rounded corners.

It's the only one I've had so I don't know how it compares with other brands, but it works for me.

FWIW I mounted it on 3mm plastic washers so that air could get underneath it to prevent any possible problems with overheating. I don't really know if it was necessary, but where I mounted it it was easy to do this and it certainly won't do any harm!

 

[William_H]

I agree that a regulator is not necessary unless you have a really tiny battery A 10 watt panel will barely give you .5 amp. So even a small car battery should be OK. The tiny SLA batteries in the 10AH range would need a regulator. But if you have tiny battery buy a bigger battery instead of a reg.
As for choosing a panel. Look for one with a decent believable warranty/ guarantee. It is the weather resistance and robustness that matters.
I gave up with a fixed panel many years ago and have had more success (after 3 got damaged) with strapping the panel to the boom cover. So it is put away safely before any sailing. olewill

 

[VicS]

My battery is just a bit smaller than the size for which Maplin suggest no regulator. I accept that it is on the border between necessary and unnecessary. The battery was new last year so no question of changing that.

I want the panel securely screwed to the deck. I don't want it to disappear just before the next boat jumble sale!

The Maplin panel you will notice from the link has a 10 year guarantee on the module and 20 years on the cells