Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Discussion about any electrical topic except 240 volts. Solar, converters, inverters, lights, battery chargers, etc
Barboots
Posts: 225
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:18 pm

Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by Barboots »

Looking at slim 100W rigid panels... typically about 1200x540mm in size. Comments appreciated:

These are 8.5kg
http://www.lowenergydevelopments.com.au ... ine-Pickup

These are 7kg, which is a benefit for roof loadings.
https://www.sunyee.com.au/12v-100w-sola ... power.html

Alternative supply channels also welcome.

Cheers, Steve
User avatar
T1 Terry
Posts: 15963
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:44 pm
Location: Mannum South Australia by the beautiful Murray River
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 30 times

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by T1 Terry »

The Sunyee panel has the better specs but the bit about auto cut off when fully charged doesn't seem to be substantiated by any device installed that they are showing anyway. The open circuit voltage says they are not the panels with an open circuit voltage of 16v and a Vmp of 12.5v @ 25*C. The 17.5v Vmp @ 25*C might be a bit borderline for flooded cell batteries but ideal for lithium batteries because the higher Vmp at a cell temp of over 50*C isn't required. As long as it can make full current @ better than 14v is all that is required.
Hassle them to match the Low Energy Developments price, worth a try eh ;)

T1 Terry
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
User avatar
jon_d
Posts: 4675
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:37 pm
Location: bedford
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 36 times

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by jon_d »

Low Energy Developments has been around for ages and ages. They have a very good reputation.
Barboots
Posts: 225
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:18 pm

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by Barboots »

T1 Terry wrote:The Sunyee panel has the better specs but the bit about auto cut off when fully charged doesn't seem to be substantiated by any device installed that they are showing anyway.
You read everything [emoji106]

I suspect it's a copy and paste error on the listing's body text and imagery... they have another listing with one of those nasty blue-fronted controllers. I think fifteen bucks more.

I did like the specs... especially the 1.5kg less weight. It's drawing me in, when I'd actually feel safer going the other way.

This is the dilemma!
Last edited by Barboots on Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Barboots
Posts: 225
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:18 pm

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by Barboots »

T1 Terry wrote: Hassle them to match the Low Energy Developments price, worth a try eh ;)
Maybe. Unfortunately Low Energy Developments want $85 to ship 4x 100W panels to Perth, so the prices are basically the same.
Barboots
Posts: 225
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:18 pm

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by Barboots »

jon_d wrote:Low Energy Developments has been around for ages and ages. They have a very good reputation.
This is what I'm thinking. Sunyee state a one year warranty, which is quite appalling really. I've had enough troubles with panels to get nervous from that level of support.

I think I need to hang out with the bricks and mortar guys this time around [emoji848]

Any suggestions before I press the button?

Cheers, Steve
User avatar
jon_d
Posts: 4675
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:37 pm
Location: bedford
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 36 times

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by jon_d »

Press the button.

He's been in the electronics business for 45+ years now. I used to shop there when I was a teen.

https://au.linkedin.com/in/rod-irving-s ... -5b1990165
User avatar
BruceS
Site Admin
Posts: 9304
Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Mannum, SA, 5238
Has thanked: 36 times
Been thanked: 36 times

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by BruceS »

Are you sure Rod still owns it? I got told it has new owners now.
When I had a problem with 10 panels they hesitated & said you bought them before they took over.
*******************
BruceS
Mannum, SA

********************
User avatar
Newcastle George
Posts: 3284
Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:21 pm
Location: Kotara, Newcastle
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by Newcastle George »

They still say to call Rod on his mobile for technical info.

George
George, Julie, Leonie & Sean - Kotara, Newcastle
DIY 11.5M 1979 Bedford, Nissan/UD FE6T motor
User avatar
T1 Terry
Posts: 15963
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:44 pm
Location: Mannum South Australia by the beautiful Murray River
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 30 times

Re: Sunyee vs Low Energy Developments vs...

Post by T1 Terry »

I think Bruce will confirm that Low Energy Developments are less than eager to look at warranty claims once they have your money.
We have dealt with SunYee and a few of the other names they trade under and they have honoured every claim without a problem, we have even been to their Melbourne warehouse/shop front and it is big. The only problems we have ever had with them was the delay while new stock arrived to honour a warranty claim.
At the price per watt, the 12mth warranty compared to a 10yr or 20yr warranty that you find you can't actually collect on or the cost of freight each way makes it cheaper to abandon any claims, doesn't really change the value for outlay ratio. Buy on the specs, a bad panel will show up in under 12 mths so the 12 mth warranty does give you a fair level of safety to fall back on.

T1 Terry
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves

Return to “Low Voltage Electrical”