Amazon is now peddling a 100 watt system...

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
4.1 stars? Not bad considering all the possible mistakes that purchasers are likely to make. Would be nice for camping etc. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWL79L7?ref_=pfb_53h352c6h1413kf52h13m8d05f6c&tag=hydfbook0e-20&ascsubtag=pfb-P11-V01-O3-rqx99r-RR71TD
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries

Comments

  • Horsefly
    Horsefly Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭✭✭
    Let me introduce you to Fakespot.com.  Amazon and it's accompanying review database have become such a huge force, there is now a undercurrent market to do "fake" reviews and ratings. Fakespot uses an AI engine to look at the reviews and make a qualitative judgement as to the overall trustworthiness of those reviews. In this case, lots of them are considered fake. 

    https://www.fakespot.com/product/hqst-100-watt-12volt-off-grid-polycrystalline-portable-foldable-solar-panel-suitcase-with-charge-controller

    Off-grid cabin: 6 x Canadian Solar CSK-280M PV panels, Schneider XW-MPPT60-150 Charge Controller, Schneider CSW4024 Inverter/Charger, Schneider SCP, 8S (25.6V), 230Ah Eve LiFePO4 battery in a custom insulated and heated case.
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    Fakespot seems pretty cool. Soon the spoofers will be able to fool Fakespot though, this will likely be cat and mouse. 

    "Our engine has profiled the reviewer patterns and has determined that there is minimal deception involved."

    A huge problem with reviews is that they are done quickly after the purchase. It would be interesting to find what the consumer thinks a few years later. 

    I grew up with unlimited lifetime warranties....some of them transferable. 30 days is pretty common now. It can take me 30 days to unwrap a package. I go the post office every two weeks.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • oil pan 4
    oil pan 4 Solar Expert Posts: 767 ✭✭✭✭
    Or could be the people have no idea hat they are buying.
    IMO a decent charge controller should cost most of the  $200, because with something that small you will need to have MPPT.

    Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.

    Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.

  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    oil pan 4 said:
    Or could be the people have no idea hat they are buying.
    IMO a decent charge controller should cost most of the  $200, because with something that small you will need to have MPPT.

    Pretty much totally disagree, there is no reason to spend money on a MPPT type charge controller to gain maybe 10%, particularly on a 100 watt 12 volt nominal panel....

    FWIW - This is NOT being sold by Amazon, It is in Amazon's market place and they will have to follow Amazon's rules, and you will have Amazon backing it up as it's fulfilled by Amazon, but it is being sold by HQSTSolar

    There's a clue where it says  "Sold by HQSTSolar and Fulfilled by Amazon." 
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It really depends on the applcation. IMHO, pwm makes more sense where panel(s) will be close to the controller and/or wired in parallel. In applications where an array is further away, higher voltage series wiring and mppt makes more sense. Use the right tool for the job.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Estragon said:
    It really depends on the applcation. IMHO, pwm makes more sense where panel(s) will be close to the controller and/or wired in parallel. In applications where an array is further away, higher voltage series wiring and mppt makes more sense. Use the right tool for the job.

    Okay, in this application a single 100watt panel (or a wired pair) with a Vmp of 17.8. An MPPT charge controller has NO part in the discussion.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    True.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter