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08-30-2019, 01:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,114
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where to buy solar
I've convinced myself to install 300 watts myself, lord I've read enough, and watched enough Youtube about it to write my own book!
Now where to buy it?
I'd like to use a brick/mortar store or reliable source on line. I've seen the offerings on Amazon (some support) and fleabay (no support). Who has purchased from someone that they had a good experience with and who to avoid?
TIA,
Nayther
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08-30-2019, 01:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,290
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It's doubtful you're going to walk into any store and simply buy a solar package, although some like HD and HF might have a few smaller setups... your best bet is to research and do your homework online, order, and install....I'm not sure that any 'support' or such is going to make any difference - they don't know any more about solar than you probably do.
There are many that sell packages that come with one, two, or several panels, wiring, connectors, controller, and the like...makes it easy.
__________________
The Turners...
'07 Rockwood Signature Ultralight...
two Campers and two Electric cars : )
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08-30-2019, 01:23 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 1,458
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__________________
2015 Ram 2500 4x4 6.4l with 2015 Sandpiper 25RLS
Wife, myself and 2 furry kids
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08-30-2019, 01:33 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mountndream
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Thanks,
That's what I was looking for. Definitely more money than the other sources though. At least this will give me some piece of mind for support should the need arise.
And they're in Ontario, CA. About 15 miles from my office!
ordered the 300 watt premium kit! Looks like I know what I'm doing next weekend!
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08-30-2019, 02:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Nevada
Posts: 1,815
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I bought some panels and equipment from Renogy with good results. I had a bad experience with Windy Nation. Be careful about buying Chinese knockoffs of good solar chargers. If the price is too good to be true, it is probablly a fake.
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08-31-2019, 02:53 PM
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#6
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Recently new!
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Arizona, in The Land of Scorch!
Posts: 1,206
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I had great results with Craigslist and Northern Arizona Wind and Solar. (NAWS)
__________________
1987 Starcraft Nova tent trailer, purch. '87, sold 8.14
2013 Crusader 290RLT bought new, 8.14 lotsa mods!
2001 Ford F-250 7.3
Loving wife, R.I.P., 6/6/19
and Mason the always dirty dog! R.I.P, 2/19
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08-31-2019, 04:13 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 26
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Call Penny Solar in AZ, we used them, excellent service help with install as far as walking us through it.No issue's 2 yrs running.
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08-31-2019, 05:49 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
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Sounds good for sure. However, the company you referenced is based in a 1300 sq foot residence in Price, UT.
Product may be guaranteed for 25 years but how long is the company "guaranteed" to be in business? The answer may be of more interest if they read this first:
https://www.deseret.com/2019/4/29/20...-united-states
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change  )
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08-31-2019, 05:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike
Sounds good for sure. However, the company you referenced is based in a 1300 sq foot residence in Price, UT.
Product may be guaranteed for 25 years but how long is the company "guaranteed" to be in business? The answer may be of more interest if they read this first:
https://www.deseret.com/2019/4/29/20...-united-states |
The panels are not made there. He just sells them. Matt is the owner of this company. Awesome guy. It is also where I bought my Battleborn batteries and all my Victron stuff. Unlike some vendors on Amazon, he is actually an authorized Victron dealer.
If you go on solar blogs and on the Facebook solar pages, the Hitec panels are the most popular panels to buy new these days.
This is the owner:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dalley-1b740bb7/
We corresponded many times over email. Has given me some great prices on gear and ships very fast.
You can also get the panels right now on eBay. 2 of the 200W for $320
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-200-Watt-...wAAOSwwZtacRkO
This guy is the owner of HiTec
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08-31-2019, 06:02 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
The panels are not made there. He just sells them.
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Further reading this afternoon also indicated that one Chinese solar panel manufacturer is now building panels in this country so they can qualify for "Buy American" regulations and avoid solar tariff's. Only three other American manufacturers but "so many different "brand names".
This begs the question "Just what is the difference between a Chinese solar panel and an American solar panel. Probably the same as with a Japanese Honda and an American Honda although the Japanese Honda has the steering wheel on the wrong side.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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08-31-2019, 06:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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I think its kinda crazy to put up multiple 100W solar panels when you can put up larger 200W panels and have half the wiring. In addition, the Renogy panels are fairly low voltage(16V-18V) so if you use an MPPT you pretty much must wire them in series which I would do anyway.
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08-31-2019, 08:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Almost Tijuana
Posts: 1,234
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I bought the Renogy panels and charge controller (which I'm very happy with). I ordered all the cables, fuses and connectors from various other providers on Amazon and I probably saved $150. Just another option...
__________________
I just want to be outside!!!
'17 Salem Cruise Lite 210RBXL
'11 F150 5.0
Only one shedding mutt now RIP Yoshi
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08-31-2019, 11:31 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,147
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nayther
I've convinced myself to install 300 watts myself, lord I've read enough, and watched enough Youtube about it to write my own book!
Now where to buy it?
I'd like to use a brick/mortar store or reliable source on line. I've seen the offerings on Amazon (some support) and fleabay (no support). Who has purchased from someone that they had a good experience with and who to avoid?
TIA,
Nayther
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Easy. WindyNation.com. Sticks and bricks if you are near Ventura, ca. Otherwise they ship to the lower 48 for free.
Renogy.com live in Ontario, Calif. Or free shipping to lower 48.
We, a buddy and I, have installed 7 systems from WN for ourselves and friends and now since Renogy has started with competitively priced packages. We have installed a couple of these. We recommend either, but favor the Epever, MPPT CONTROLLER, from Amazon or other online IF you plan to go over 400 watts.
__________________
Tom48
In Sunny So Cal /w
Now in 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador DP and The Hot Air Balloon RESTLESS
NO MORE Tricked out
2017 Sandstorm 250 T.H.
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09-01-2019, 10:03 AM
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#15
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Aging Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 73
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AM Solar, Springfield, OR - They have have a great website, detailed DIY instructions and experienced technicians you can actually speak with on the phone. I've used them with both of my rigs and highly recommend them. Enjoy.
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09-03-2019, 09:00 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,114
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I pulled the trigger with Renogy. There was a question on where to ship it and they actucally CALLED ME ON THE PHONE! I spoke to a REAL PERSON! That alone makes me fell better. Should have the kit today.
Went home and found the wires from the roof, they are actually connected to the bus bar, meaning there are hot 12 volt wires on the roof! Not sure how they left the wires inside the roof jack but kind of concerned since there's no fuse or breaker on these wires. Thought I'd find the hot wire coiled up near the bus/battery but not the case.
All that being said I only see the panel mounting as an kind of difficulty, everything else is right where it needs to be and should be pretty easy.
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09-03-2019, 09:58 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nayther
Went home and found the wires from the roof, they are actually connected to the bus bar, meaning there are hot 12 volt wires on the roof! Not sure how they left the wires inside the roof jack but kind of concerned since there's no fuse or breaker on these wires. Thought I'd find the hot wire coiled up near the bus/battery but not the case.
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That's very strange since the PV panel wires never get connected to the battery.
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09-04-2019, 04:28 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
That's very strange since the PV panel wires never get connected to the battery.
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they're "thinking" is that you're going to install "Go Power" controller on the wall next to the main system touch pad (that does virtually nothing) so you'd cut the wires from the roof to that location, then connect charge controller there. I'm putting controller near the batteries in the pass through (nice short runs). I'm going to check continuity first though to make sure the wires are continuous from roof to bus. If they are then the install is super easy; only actual panel mounting will be time consuming, electrical will only take a few minutes.
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09-04-2019, 04:33 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nayther
they're "thinking" is that you're going to install "Go Power" controller on the wall next to the main system touch pad (that does virtually nothing) so you'd cut the wires from the roof to that location, then connect charge controller there. I'm putting controller near the batteries in the pass through (nice short runs). I'm going to check continuity first though to make sure the wires are continuous from roof to bus. If they are then the install is super easy; only actual panel mounting will be time consuming, electrical will only take a few minutes.
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Make sure you install appropriate breakers/fuses between panels and controller and controller to battery.
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09-06-2019, 12:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
Make sure you install appropriate breakers/fuses between panels and controller and controller to battery.
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Yes indeed, bought fuse for between batteries and controller and in line protection at the panels, think I've got it covered.
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