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Habor Freight Solar Panels

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:21 am. By: Too_Many_Tools

Has anyone used this product and if so, what do you think of it?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90599
Thanks for advice.
TMT

Habor Freight Solar Panels

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:16 am. By: Vaughn Simon

"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in message

Has anyone used this product and if so, what do you think of it?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90599

Look back a few days for the thread entitled "Solar Powered Lighting Kit". The consensus seems to be that the panels and lights are OK (making the price a bargain) but the controller is junk. So just get a different charge controller.
Vaughn

Habor Freight Solar Panels

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:04 am. By: guido

Vaughn Simon wrote:

Look back a few days for the thread entitled "Solar Powered Lighting Kit". The consensus seems to be that the panels and lights are OK (making the price a bargain) but the controller is junk. So just get a different charge controller.

I've been looking for a while now to get started on solar related items and wonder what/where controller to buy?
also, they mention this in the ad on the page, again what/where inverter would one buy?
from the link ... Requires 12 volt storage battery and 300 watt power inverter (not included)
am assuming any generic car battery would work?

Habor Freight Solar Panels

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:59 am. By: Tony Wesley

guido wrote:

from the link ... Requires 12 volt storage battery and 300 watt power inverter (not included)
am assuming any generic car battery would work?

No, not for long. Car batteries are not made to withstand cycles of deep discharge. They're made to deliver lots of amps briefly at starting.
You might want to start with a deep cycle (not starting) marine battery.
I picked up 400-watt Coleman inverters at CostCo for $25.

Habor Freight Solar Panels

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:23 pm. By: Too_Many_Tools

Thanks...I did not see that discussion...sorry about the duplication.
TMT

Habor Freight Solar Panels

Date: Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:40 pm. By: lgreenwood@srt.com

I just ordered it. Except for the charge controller there has been nothing bad posted about it on this group or the pv.solar group. You might also want to look at COSTCO's website they have a 45 watt solar kit under the Coleman name. But it is higher costing $300 but you get an inverter and the Coleman name. It looks like it was made to be a portable system. The charge controller is unknown.
I am buying the kit as a newbie and not wanting to spend a few thousand until I am sure about what I am doing.
Larry

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