Comments on: Sunforce 39126 246-Watt High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Solar Power Kit http://buildyourownsolarpanels.us/solar-snergy-sroducts/sunforce-39126-246-watt-high-efficiency-polycrystalline-solar-power-kit Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:48:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: F. Templeton http://buildyourownsolarpanels.us/solar-snergy-sroducts/sunforce-39126-246-watt-high-efficiency-polycrystalline-solar-power-kit/comment-page-1#comment-76 F. Templeton Mon, 10 May 2010 01:01:46 +0000 http://homesolarenergyguide.info/?p=33#comment-76 The panels were shipped to me on the west coast from the east coast and arrived in good shape, the outside box was tattered but the inside boxes were fine. <br /> <br />Was disappointed that the controller, battery tester, modified sine wave inverter, wire, brackets, and bolts were all loose inside the box with one of the panels; looked like they could easily damage the panel's white backing. <br /> <br />Connecting the wires with lugs attached for the first panel to the controller was easy. When I tried to connect the second panel to the first one I found the provided screws too short to allow for a lug on the end of the wire. I had to cut off the lugs and flatten the wire before the screws would engage. I'm sure it's fine but it's not as secure this way. <br /> <br />GOOD POINT: On day two with only one panel in service I had a reading of 7.2 amps compared to max rating of 7.14. That only lasted for a couple of minutes, I usually avereged above 6 amps on sunny cool days except early morning and late evening. When cloudy I had power reading anywhere from 1 amp to 3 amps. <br /> <br />BAD POINT: Of the 108 rectangular cells, I only had to shade a couple of them for the output to be reduced to near nothing. Don't install the panels near a flag pole or mast, just the smallest amount of shade will make them useless. <br /> <br />I watched the 4 minute video on Amazon that showed the panels being setup in a field. From that idea I've designed a teeter totter frame to mount on the roof peak that does not have a southern exposure. It teeters east in the morning and totters west in the evening with about a 48 degree range and a 8 degree tilt to the south. From what I've read elsewhere this gives me 20% to 40% increase in output during the summertime when I need it the most. Rating: 4 / 5 The panels were shipped to me on the west coast from the east coast and arrived in good shape, the outside box was tattered but the inside boxes were fine.

Was disappointed that the controller, battery tester, modified sine wave inverter, wire, brackets, and bolts were all loose inside the box with one of the panels; looked like they could easily damage the panel’s white backing.

Connecting the wires with lugs attached for the first panel to the controller was easy. When I tried to connect the second panel to the first one I found the provided screws too short to allow for a lug on the end of the wire. I had to cut off the lugs and flatten the wire before the screws would engage. I’m sure it’s fine but it’s not as secure this way.

GOOD POINT: On day two with only one panel in service I had a reading of 7.2 amps compared to max rating of 7.14. That only lasted for a couple of minutes, I usually avereged above 6 amps on sunny cool days except early morning and late evening. When cloudy I had power reading anywhere from 1 amp to 3 amps.

BAD POINT: Of the 108 rectangular cells, I only had to shade a couple of them for the output to be reduced to near nothing. Don’t install the panels near a flag pole or mast, just the smallest amount of shade will make them useless.

I watched the 4 minute video on Amazon that showed the panels being setup in a field. From that idea I’ve designed a teeter totter frame to mount on the roof peak that does not have a southern exposure. It teeters east in the morning and totters west in the evening with about a 48 degree range and a 8 degree tilt to the south. From what I’ve read elsewhere this gives me 20% to 40% increase in output during the summertime when I need it the most.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Ollie http://buildyourownsolarpanels.us/solar-snergy-sroducts/sunforce-39126-246-watt-high-efficiency-polycrystalline-solar-power-kit/comment-page-1#comment-75 Ollie Sun, 09 May 2010 22:47:48 +0000 http://homesolarenergyguide.info/?p=33#comment-75 Rather than pulling out a generator and electric cord for daily charging of my RV batteries I decided to purchase this set and hoped it would supply all my electrical needs while camping. It does, very well. I took the advice of another poster and purchased a more efficient charge controller separately, the Morningstar MPPT and it's display panel. The MPPT controller increases the charging efficiency by up to 30% or more. These solar panels now easily keep all 4 of my trailer batteries charged and recently averaged at least 10 amps of charge for each daylight hour. I searched all over the web and Amazon had the best price on this particular set, or anything like it. The money saved is enough to upgrade the controller for more efficient charging. The set came with nice extras like a 200w inverter, voltage test gauge, plenty of wire and 6 mounting brackets per panel. Rating: 5 / 5 Rather than pulling out a generator and electric cord for daily charging of my RV batteries I decided to purchase this set and hoped it would supply all my electrical needs while camping. It does, very well. I took the advice of another poster and purchased a more efficient charge controller separately, the Morningstar MPPT and it’s display panel. The MPPT controller increases the charging efficiency by up to 30% or more. These solar panels now easily keep all 4 of my trailer batteries charged and recently averaged at least 10 amps of charge for each daylight hour. I searched all over the web and Amazon had the best price on this particular set, or anything like it. The money saved is enough to upgrade the controller for more efficient charging. The set came with nice extras like a 200w inverter, voltage test gauge, plenty of wire and 6 mounting brackets per panel.
Rating: 5 / 5

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