solar panel advice?

lubomm · Since 15 Aug 2007 248 Posts Hood Stoked

I want to buy a solar panel for camping: running a light, playing radio, charging rechargeable batteries, charging laptop, etc.

Any recommendations?

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

I bought a Solaroll and it isn't good. If all you want is to charge a single battery per day, this is perfect, but otherwise, no good. Couldn't run any of those appliances real-time at all. Produces 6-12 watts. (Used 16 days in the Grand Canyon in July w/ lots of direct sunlight)

The Goal Zero Adventure pack had similar results with ability to charge a few things and then nothing for a few days while it recharged. It was better than the solaroll because it stored its charge with a battery pack which allowed storage for non-sunny times, but overall we were underwhelmed with this (used for 23 days in the Grand Canyon in Nov)

Seems like the best systems involve deep cycle batteries and home-made solutions to the solar crunch. Especially in the winter when there isn't a ton of direct sunlight, the charging is slow and unreliable. Ask around to the van owners at the sandbar who have solar panels on their vans; they seem to have something good figured out (like deep cycle battery bank with 7.3L diesel engine for most of the charging...)... I think the solar is more of a trickle supplement compared to what their alternator puts out.

Let us know if you find something good.

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

I have an 80 watt panel on my van with a charge controller and 2 deep cycle batteries. This is enough to power my fridge, lights, laptop for ~12 days in Baja. Without the fridge, you should be able to get by with a much smaller system.

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

My business started carrying these portable solar panels last fall and we've had pretty good feedback on them. They come in 40 or 80 W versions and have built in chargers. You wouldn't want to go backpacking with them, but they're pretty portable. I have the 40w at my office in HR if you want to check it out.

http://www.hitchsource.com/zamp-rvmarine-portable-solar-kit-40-watts-23-amps-p-32869.html