Lithium facts in practice

[T1 Terry]

I'd go with the Plasmatronics Dingo 40/40. As far as solar panels, have you thought about the thin semi flexible monocrystaline, small capacity, 45w, they are 500mm x 540mm. Simply glue down, although in the Aussie summer they need coreflute between them and the roof to keep the heat away from the roofing material and the coreflute helps cools the panel. With such a small foot print they can be fitted in spots where normal panels won't fit or would be partly shaded stopping any output. Shade one of these panels and you have only lost 45w of solar input. They are light enough to fit more than you need with some placed where they would only get morning or afternoon sun without shade, when the weather isn't too good and there is no direct sun, all the panels would put some in so the more there are, the better the input.

T1 Terry

[nut17]

Sounds like the Dingo is the way to go. Although it does not appear to be MPPT technology of which I am an absolute convert.

Thanks guys. I will do some research on the semi - flexible panels on this side of the Tasman.

Cheers Chris

[Craig]

Why would you want MPPT Chris? I believe it has been discussed here many times as to the advantages of the PWM over MPPT. ie multiple charging inputs.

Pl 40 or the Dingo is my preference. The pl 60 is overkill unless you are planning on adding more panels at a later date.

Craig

[T1 Terry]

Be very careful when selecting the semi flexible panels, not all are made to last, the coating yellows on the poorer quality ones and their output drops significantly over a 3 yr period. The ones I'm talking about are around $3w but have an output guarantee of 95% over 5 yrs and 80% over 25yrs and a 10 yr manufacture warranty....... although what value warranties are these days is rather questionable, will any of them still have their doors open if you even need to make a claim. There is a report on the private forum of one member having issues with his panels after a few mths, the replaced them including the freight costs from China and told he could keep the old panels or just throw then away, they had upgraded their manufacturing process now so these problems should not occur again.... well that's a translation anyway The panels definitely have a much thicker coating now.

As far as the MPPT v PWM for recharging Li batteries, there is a thread on the CF forum where someone actually did the real life testing, the theory went down in flames when panels with a closer matching Vmp to the batteries lower charging voltage requirements were used, once the panels heated up, the PWM was in front, he had to hose the panels down to cool them to get the MPPT controller to come up with reasonable figures and this was in winter sun in Vic.

[mininut2]

Hi Terry
Any hints on where to get these panels. I have been searching evil bay but cannot find any this size
Rick

[T1 Terry]

Yeah, but they aren't here yet they won't finish making them till the end of the week they tell me, then it's week for them to get here from China. These panels are made for me, my specs I originally had them made for my own use, 'I' haven't actually got to use any yet and this is the second batch

[Noggins]

I have 2 of these thin flexi-panels on top of my van ATM
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131099539721 ... 1439.l2649
I'm waiting on another 2 to arrive soon.

I compromised a bit on Watts/Amp output as against glass faced panels as I didn't want to add another 20 odd Kg just for solar.
I added some double sided tape to the back of the skinnies and stuck them down with Sikaflex Pro.
If they get a bit yellowed in a few years I'll have to do a rethink ? but as the van is covered when not being used I don't suppose the solar UV radiation will yellow them as fast as uncovered panels.
I also carry a 160W portable panel for when I'm parked in the shade.

Ron

[mininut2]

Thanks for the info Terry & Ron. So will this batch, that will be arriving soon, be available for sale or will you use them yourself. I finally took delivery of my Iveco 4x4, so i hope it will be all systems GO, if work doesn't get in the way

[PeterM]

I finally took delivery of my Iveco 4x4, so i hope it will be all systems GO, if work doesn't get in the way

Lucky! From TravelTrucks? Mine is not ready before "late October"

[mininut2]

Hi Peter, No I only have a bare cab/chassis with the intention of building a back on it myself. I went to the caravan & camping show in Brisbane on the 4/6/14 & had a good look at the Travel Trucks unit. Very impressive. I was talking to Kym Bolton about the weight of the Scrubmaster & he was wrapt in the fact that with a winch, bullbar,185lts of water, 250lts of diesel & the bigger wheel/tyre combination that they were still well under 4 tonne. I have been looking on Gumtree & one of the guys from All Terrain Warriors has a body for sale at a pretty good price http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sunshine ... 1048662549 Might be worth looking at