solar panels on ebay

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njamesphoto

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we were thinking of adding two solar panels to help our battery bank along while in the med and found some on ebay "80W Mono solar panel 12v charge,Grade A cell-UK" selling for just over £150. They are significantly cheaper than the Corfu chandlers are selling them for, would they be any good? if not why? and if they only last a few seasons presumably the technology would have moved on by then.
 
As I suspect you know, you get what you pay for. I have just bought two Kyocera panels of a similar size, and paid more than twice as much. I consider that a good investment,
 
njamesphoto said:
we were thinking of adding two solar panels to help our battery bank along while in the med and found some on ebay "80W Mono solar panel 12v charge,Grade A cell-UK" selling for just over £150. They are significantly cheaper than the Corfu chandlers are selling them for, would they be any good? if not why? and if they only last a few seasons presumably the technology would have moved on by then.
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They look fine to me, same ones I have and they have been fine for five years so far.
 
Ebay solar panels

Hi

I have 2 x 80 watt ebay cheepies on a home made frame on my boat currently sailing in Preveza area. They are putting 6 amps in at the moment (9:30 am) and at peak give me about 11.5 amps. Had them 2 years and no problems. They came fully wired with sealed connection boxes.

Lovely cold beer resulting!! and I can type this message using the inverter!!

Would not be without them
 
I've had 2 of the cheap monocrystalline panels from different sellers on ebay. They are fine, try to buy with cable and connectors included as these can add up as well. Also on ebay PWM regulators for less than a tenner each...
 
how fragile are they? we would bring them out as hold baggage are they likely to break?
and onboard is any flexing likely to make them crack? Just wondering if the extra for the "marine" version would be more rugged.
 
Solar panels

Having bought our first solar panel (BP solar) from a UK retailer for close to £400 we subsequently bought a second BP solar panel from e-bay for £185. The packaging etc would indicate that the e-bay product was a genuine BP panel. Although many of the panel on sale on e-bay are made in China with an unknown provenence, we deliberately chose to purchase one with a known brand name.
Both were shipped out to the Ionian, in different years, one with a consignment of goods thro' Vernon Kiddle and the other by parcel post. Both arrived safely.
 
ebay solar panels

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80W-solar...torhome-boats-etc-/280715148535?pt=UK_Gadgets
Thanks njamesphoto for posting that ebay seller. I had not found that one. I contacted them and found they specialise in solar panels,sell from Portsmouth, and are very helpfuf and a good price. Your "80W Mono solar panel 12v charge,Grade A cell-UK".found it eventually, but I think this is their link,above, and should be of more help. Chris.
 
cowpat said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80W-solar...torhome-boats-etc-/280715148535?pt=UK_Gadgets
Thanks njamesphoto for posting that ebay seller. I had not found that one. I contacted them and found they specialise in solar panels,sell from Portsmouth, and are very helpfuf and a good price. Your "80W Mono solar panel 12v charge,Grade A cell-UK".found it eventually, but I think this is their link,above, and should be of more help. Chris.
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Just bought 2 x 100w panels from them plus regulator and wiring. Seem to have good feedback
 
I brought 2 x 40 w out as hold luggage earlier this year. They travelled fine (wrapped in good padding) but the excess baggae charge was £130 :( check your weight allowances carefully.
 
I also bought 2 x 100W from this eBay selller. They were shipped from Portsmouth and coupled with an MPPT regulator regularly give me double figures in amps on the UK South Coast.
Can't see anything wrong with the build quality.
 
I'm interested in any update owners might have about these cheapy solar panels from eBay. I will be buying 2 more panels before next season and currently have 3 x 48W Sunware semi-flex. I am put off by their price of £550each at the moment. The ebay panels (good value .....) do not mention "marine use" or guarantee, blocking diode at night, IP rating, additional cables required etc etc
 
rtboss1 said:
Had a look at panels giving 5.6 amps Can you wire them directly to a fridge taking 4amp without the batteries. I know it will only be in day light hours
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No the voltage will vary too much. It could climb to 19v or so which will damage most fridges.You need the filtering effects of a battery
 
Earlier this year I installed 2 times 100W panels on a 24v system. They were advertised as 'marine' use. Afterwards I found the company in Pompey and it turned out they were identical to the ones I had purchased but 20% cheaper. And I thought I had got a good deal.

Good price. Good product....................go for it.
 
I've got one of these, I'd have preferred more substantial wires and wasn't happy with the seal around where the wires leave the blocking diode, so I put a large blob of sikaflex around that area. Whilst I haven't walked or sat on it it's absolutely fine, stays out on top of the hatch garage in all conditions and overall good value I'd say, but not as good value as the ones with solid frame....
 
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