When starting out, I used a smaller solar panel (lower power output) to reduce the discharge rate until the next drive charge. Flexible panels can be crazy expensive. As per your video, never exceed the input voltage of the solar charge controller as it will damage the controller instantly. The upgraded panel is always welcome. Also note that a rated 400W panel never truly produce 400W due to losses. Always check the efficiency rating on the specification sheet.
Yoh- a lot of French in that video… I think I got most of it. I too have the blue nova battery and the victron charger… linked to my Legend 50 battery. So it’s good to see we have the best quality boet. If ever in Onrust River- Pull in!
It's great to see Sunman Energy lightweight solar panels have made it to SA. In Australia, Sunman are the most reliable flexible solar panels for grid and off grid applications. To gain the most power on metal surfaces we mount these to core flute stripes. This allows an air gap between the roof and the panel. Did you know Sunman also manufactures a 520W.
Matt only other negative with the Flexible Panel I found was by using sikaflex or the like it is permanent. It will break if you try to pull it loose so the day you sell the canopy or rtt it will have to go with. My latest built I used thick industrial velcro all around the edge. That also helps when it gets to the cleaning. Just a thought. Enjoy.
Great videos as always! Interesting to note. The Victron MPPT chargers model name is a bit deceptive. The 100 is for the max voltage that the panel side input is. The 30 in your case is the max amp output of the MPPT charger to the battery. This being at the say, 13V. I was always under the impression it is 100V max input, 30A max input from the panel. But the numbers stand on either side of the MPPT. Volt for panel and AMP for battery side.
Also, the other thing is, based on the spec of you panel you should be running at around 33A. Max you can get out of that Victron controller is 30A. They should have given you the 100|50. In cold weather and full sunlight you will produce close to, if not more, power out of the panel.
My biggest gripe is that these solar panels almost NEVER achieve their rated output. My flexible 150W panel, through a Victron MPPT charger, only achieves 120W with a cold panel in full sun at midday. If a panel is rated to 150W then surely it's fair to expect 150W from it? I paid for 150W, why don't I get 150W? It's like buying 150L of fuel and the fuel station says: "Sorry, the temperature is a bit hot today, you only get 120L". And we just accept it... With space being premium on and inside an overlanding 4x4, it's not easy to just overspec the panels so that you can get the watts you need. Matt, can you do a test to see what's the maximum you get out of your 430W and 200W panels? And whether flexible is more efficient than rigid?
I think it’s very possible that there are external limitations too. For example, if you are at lower altitude, the sunlight has to travel through a thicker later of atmosphere and therefore loses energy. If you go to very high altitude areas and feel how much more intense the sun feels against your skin, this makes sense. There is also efficiency loss through voltage drop on the cables, etc.
@@mattdubber Absolutely true, atmospheric quality definitely can have an effect on the overall solar radiation but 25% loss in full sun at midday in South Africa with the sun almost directly overhead is not acceptable in my book. Here in full sun we're getting over 900W/m² which should be enough to power any solar panel to it's full rated power. Oh, and I'm using 6mm² cables (good for 30A) from panel to Victron charger to battery so the voltage drop along the cables is negligible. Lead acid batteries were just as bad, for example - "rated" to 100Ah but if you use more than 50% (50Ah) you risk shortening it's life or damaging the battery, so 100Ah isn't the useable capacity at all, unless you want to damage your battery. At least LiFePO4 batteries are rated for full useable capacity. Would still like to see what you're getting out of your panels, even if just for comparison's sake.
Hey, we’re from the BougeRV team and we’d love for you to review our solar panels or any other products you're interested in. Can you share your email with us?
Flexi rooftop panel is great...however the solar blanket is awesome - thx
When starting out, I used a smaller solar panel (lower power output) to reduce the discharge rate until the next drive charge. Flexible panels can be crazy expensive. As per your video, never exceed the input voltage of the solar charge controller as it will damage the controller instantly. The upgraded panel is always welcome. Also note that a rated 400W panel never truly produce 400W due to losses. Always check the efficiency rating on the specification sheet.
Great content I hope more people get your channel in their feeds.
Cool video. Think the flexible panel is a good solution!
Yoh- a lot of French in that video… I think I got most of it. I too have the blue nova battery and the victron charger… linked to my Legend 50 battery. So it’s good to see we have the best quality boet.
If ever in Onrust River-
Pull in!
Great video Matt.
It's great to see Sunman Energy lightweight solar panels have made it to SA. In Australia, Sunman are the most reliable flexible solar panels for grid and off grid applications. To gain the most power on metal surfaces we mount these to core flute stripes. This allows an air gap between the roof and the panel. Did you know Sunman also manufactures a 520W.
Great video
Lots of info thank you Matt
Matt only other negative with the Flexible Panel I found was by using sikaflex or the like it is permanent. It will break if you try to pull it loose so the day you sell the canopy or rtt it will have to go with. My latest built I used thick industrial velcro all around the edge. That also helps when it gets to the cleaning. Just a thought. Enjoy.
That is very true
Great videos as always! Interesting to note. The Victron MPPT chargers model name is a bit deceptive. The 100 is for the max voltage that the panel side input is. The 30 in your case is the max amp output of the MPPT charger to the battery. This being at the say, 13V. I was always under the impression it is 100V max input, 30A max input from the panel. But the numbers stand on either side of the MPPT. Volt for panel and AMP for battery side.
Also, the other thing is, based on the spec of you panel you should be running at around 33A. Max you can get out of that Victron controller is 30A. They should have given you the 100|50. In cold weather and full sunlight you will produce close to, if not more, power out of the panel.
Yes, a bit deceptive that, 13.4V x 30A is only 402W which is about the max of this charger, whereas the notation 100V|30A seems to imply 3000W.
My biggest gripe is that these solar panels almost NEVER achieve their rated output. My flexible 150W panel, through a Victron MPPT charger, only achieves 120W with a cold panel in full sun at midday. If a panel is rated to 150W then surely it's fair to expect 150W from it? I paid for 150W, why don't I get 150W? It's like buying 150L of fuel and the fuel station says: "Sorry, the temperature is a bit hot today, you only get 120L". And we just accept it...
With space being premium on and inside an overlanding 4x4, it's not easy to just overspec the panels so that you can get the watts you need.
Matt, can you do a test to see what's the maximum you get out of your 430W and 200W panels? And whether flexible is more efficient than rigid?
I think it’s very possible that there are external limitations too. For example, if you are at lower altitude, the sunlight has to travel through a thicker later of atmosphere and therefore loses energy. If you go to very high altitude areas and feel how much more intense the sun feels against your skin, this makes sense. There is also efficiency loss through voltage drop on the cables, etc.
@@mattdubber Absolutely true, atmospheric quality definitely can have an effect on the overall solar radiation but 25% loss in full sun at midday in South Africa with the sun almost directly overhead is not acceptable in my book. Here in full sun we're getting over 900W/m² which should be enough to power any solar panel to it's full rated power. Oh, and I'm using 6mm² cables (good for 30A) from panel to Victron charger to battery so the voltage drop along the cables is negligible.
Lead acid batteries were just as bad, for example - "rated" to 100Ah but if you use more than 50% (50Ah) you risk shortening it's life or damaging the battery, so 100Ah isn't the useable capacity at all, unless you want to damage your battery. At least LiFePO4 batteries are rated for full useable capacity.
Would still like to see what you're getting out of your panels, even if just for comparison's sake.
Infortunately you did not give the cost of eigud vs flexible solar panels
Every brand is different, you would probably need to look at specific brands and sizes to compare.
Give us prices in Rand, not $
Most of my viewers aren’t South African
Hey, we’re from the BougeRV team and we’d love for you to review our solar panels or any other products you're interested in. Can you share your email with us?