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20W Solar Panel Kit w/ Lithium Ion Battery $132 - 50% Off!

Newbie
User avatar
Jan 4, 2011
27 posts
5 upvotes

20W Solar Panel Kit w/ Lithium Ion Battery $132 - 50% Off!

Deal Link:
Price:
$132.99
Savings:
50% off
Was looking for a solar panel for summer camping and found this deal; most of their products are 50% off, but the solar panel kit is the better deal (rather than adding each item individually to your cart). Looks like the lithium ion battery puts out 12V DC (you will need an inverter to get AC, but I plan to use this to charge phones, etc.). I ordered both bracket types as I don't know how I'm going to mount it yet (might mount it to a piece of plywood?).

I have bought once in the past from Relay Supply; the item arrived from Saskatoon, SK. Look at the category if you only need to the panel or the battery:

http://relaysupply.com/solar-products.html
21 replies
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Sep 6, 2006
7949 posts
2868 upvotes
Washington, DC
Wouldn't it be cheaper and smaller just to get some rechargeable packs and charge them before your camping?
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
Abraham Lincoln
Newbie
User avatar
Jan 4, 2011
27 posts
5 upvotes
We usually go for a week at a time; that lithium ion power pack is supposed to be 9800 mAh, which is about 3 large cell phone batteries worth of power I think? My galaxy note 2 is 3200 mAh. All of our small electronics can charge off it during the day is my hope/plan. Cheaper than charging from the truck during the day and running it to ensure the trucks battery doesn't die (at least over time it will be cheaper).
Newbie
Jul 10, 2008
95 posts
60 upvotes
Edmonton
If you're not set on solar this may be a good idea: http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/6-in-1-jump ... 0016948833 - $129.97
Amazon.ca has it for $226.65 http://www.amazon.ca/Schumacher-XP2260- ... rds=xp2260

Charge the battery at home, it can jump start your car, it already has USB plugs as well as a 400 watt 120V power converter with two plugs on the front. Full air compressor in the back for car tires / air mattresses, has a flood light. Should be more around 40,000 mAh (40Ah) instead. I love the thing.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Feb 16, 2009
3848 posts
2272 upvotes
'Shwallywood
DJohnson wrote: If you're not set on solar this may be a good idea: http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/6-in-1-jump ... 0016948833 - $129.97
Amazon.ca has it for $226.65 http://www.amazon.ca/Schumacher-XP2260- ... rds=xp2260

Charge the battery at home, it can jump start your car, it already has USB plugs as well as a 400 watt 120V power converter with two plugs on the front. Full air compressor in the back for car tires / air mattresses, has a flood light. Should be more around 40,000 mAh (40Ah) instead. I love the thing.
There are numerous DIY instructions on the internet to make your own battery kit with deep cycle batteries and rubbermaid/battery bins. The advantage is that you'd be able to hook up any solar panel to it to charge it up. Like what OP has posted.
I don't fail, I succeed at finding what doesn't work
Newbie
Oct 13, 2012
79 posts
26 upvotes
Toronto
I checked out the site and found the item you mentioned. I was looking for just the 20w panel and didn't find any mention of warranty or cost for shipping. Do you know what the warranty was on your purchase ? Also when I looked at the kit (controller battery solar panel) which itemized the individual costs/item with the solar panel price listed at $68.39. But if you select just the solar panel by itself it price lists at $89.99. That is an extra $21.60 for the same panel ?

FYI: W.M website offers "Schumacher Electric SP-5400 54 Watt solar panel kit (three 18 watt amorphous silicon solar panels).This unit has voltage regulator and has a LED display & includes USB (12V DC, 9V,6V,3V ports), (2) 12V socket light kit, clamp adapter, 3-way connector and light hooks. For the everyday price of $199.97 (with a 1 year warranty).

Sort of thinking out loud since I am still deciding on a setup for my RV this coming summer and would jump on the WB offer if it wasn't just 1 year warrantied. I have seen panels with 5 year and 25 year warranties but this package is only warranted for 1 year. Schumacher has been making chargers etc for a very long time.

Cheers Alex
Member
Oct 25, 2006
278 posts
74 upvotes
The cost of solar panels have dropped dramatically. The average price for panels these days is $1.00 per watt.
Member
User avatar
Feb 7, 2006
341 posts
52 upvotes
Montreal
kalekainxx wrote: The cost of solar panels have dropped dramatically. The average price for panels these days is $1.00 per watt.
I'd say, $2.5/Wp in consumer product would be a really good price.
Unless you are buying big quantity (systems), or happen to get a really good deal, you won't get this price. The lowest manufacturing COST (for CdTe thin film, First Solar) is closer to $0.7/Wp, so business as usual ex-factory 15% margin would set it to $0.8, container across the pond then rail + truck, CIF COST would be about $1/Wp. 30% for wholesale then 45% for retail, ~$1.9/Wp would be a very reasonable price if its a commodity that moves fast. (crystalline module's PRICE shown in OP is about the same in the market as supply is much bigger than demand). Slower moving commodities need higher margin. Solar panel is a slow moving commodity, particularly in the consumer segment.
Deal Addict
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May 16, 2011
2588 posts
2052 upvotes
Clarington
For the ultimate DIY - you can buy the individual solar cells off of ebay and make your own panels. Just keep in mind - they often break in shipping (usually 5 per 100) and if you mess up one connection it can bork the entire thing.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Nov 7, 2004
1154 posts
378 upvotes
Whitby
If you wanted to bring a couple small battery packs with you these are a great option! 13,600mah with dual 5v outputs (2.1amps), recharges by USB (up to 2 amps).

$10 shipped: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281051309794
$30 shipped: http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/1000 ... 00mah-3-7v (order two pairs)

When I go camping I use this fold up solar panel to recharge a pair of those battery boxes (it has two combinable USB outputs of 3amps each or 6amps total).

Image
LICK FOR HIGH RES!


That solar panel was built for me by cottonpickers: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showth ... nels-added

Got LOTS of use during the power outages from the ice storm :D

-Jamie M.
Home server: http://ywax.us
Speedtest: Image
Deal Fanatic
Nov 19, 2003
5335 posts
3149 upvotes
A Place to Stand
I bought a 40 watt panel for <$80 from CT. Came with the charge controller, and about a half dozen different connectors at least. I don't buy anything from CT if I can avoid it, but compared to the post in the OP it was a steal, and the deal pops its head up from time to time. Twice the (claimed) wattage for nearly half the money and with a ton more connectors, do the math.
Member
User avatar
Feb 7, 2006
341 posts
52 upvotes
Montreal
midget_man wrote: I bought a 40 watt panel for <$80 from CT. Came with the charge controller, and about a half dozen different connectors at least. I don't buy anything from CT if I can avoid it, but compared to the post in the OP it was a steal, and the deal pops its head up from time to time. Twice the (claimed) wattage for nearly half the money and with a ton more connectors, do the math.
Definitely a better product compare with the other 2. Regular price is $249 though. <$100 is a very good price! LINK here
Not sure about twice the claimed wattage, when we are multiplying the measured open circuit voltage and short circuit current, that could give the "illusion", and that's how some other panels in the consumer segment over-claim their wattage.
[IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/21b3spe.gif[/IMG]
Deal Fanatic
Nov 19, 2003
5335 posts
3149 upvotes
A Place to Stand
plausipo wrote: Definitely a better product compare with the other 2. Regular price is $249 though. <$100 is a very good price! LINK here
Not sure about twice the claimed wattage, when we are multiplying the measured open circuit voltage and short circuit current, that could give the "illusion", and that's how some other panels in the consumer segment over-claim their wattage.
[IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/21b3spe.gif[/IMG]
The panel is on sale for $99 this week.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/outdo ... 2043p.html
Sr. Member
User avatar
Feb 6, 2010
568 posts
146 upvotes
Vancouver
toysareforboys wrote: If you wanted to bring a couple small battery packs with you these are a great option! 13,600mah with dual 5v outputs (2.1amps), recharges by USB (up to 2 amps).

$10 shipped: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281051309794
$30 shipped: http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/1000 ... 00mah-3-7v (order two pairs)

When I go camping I use this fold up solar panel to recharge a pair of those battery boxes (it has two combinable USB outputs of 3amps each or 6amps total).

Image
LICK FOR HIGH RES!


That solar panel was built for me by cottonpickers: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showth ... nels-added

Got LOTS of use during the power outages from the ice storm :D

-Jamie M.
Does it work well in cloudy weather?
Sr. Member
May 17, 2006
605 posts
191 upvotes
toysareforboys wrote: If you wanted to bring a couple small battery packs with you these are a great option! 13,600mah with dual 5v outputs (2.1amps), recharges by USB (up to 2 amps).

$10 shipped: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281051309794
$30 shipped: http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/1000 ... 00mah-3-7v (order two pairs)

When I go camping I use this fold up solar panel to recharge a pair of those battery boxes (it has two combinable USB outputs of 3amps each or 6amps total).

Image
LICK FOR HIGH RES!


That solar panel was built for me by cottonpickers: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showth ... nels-added

Got LOTS of use during the power outages from the ice storm :D

-Jamie M.
I keep licking the screen but nothing happens. Except I have a slightly less-dusty screen. :lol:
Deal Addict
User avatar
Nov 7, 2004
1154 posts
378 upvotes
Whitby
Globedeal wrote: Does it work well in cloudy weather?
Sure damn does! During the ice storm it was overcast so I just combined the two USB ports (he includes the adapter when you buy it) then I could only charge one battery bank at a time instead of two :) Each panel is wired in parallel so if one panel has shade it won't bring down the rest of them. Works sweet.

-Jamie M.
Home server: http://ywax.us
Speedtest: Image
Sr. Member
Nov 21, 2009
908 posts
256 upvotes
Surrey
toysareforboys wrote: Sure damn does! During the ice storm it was overcast so I just combined the two USB ports (he includes the adapter when you buy it) then I could only charge one battery bank at a time instead of two :) Each panel is wired in parallel so if one panel has shade it won't bring down the rest of them. Works sweet.

-Jamie M.
How much did he charge you for that one? Looks really good :P
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User avatar
Nov 7, 2004
1154 posts
378 upvotes
Whitby
ssy080 wrote: How much did he charge you for that one? Looks really good :P
I don't remember exactly what it was for the panel. I did some shopping cart work for him and got some other stuff at the same time. best to ask him for a quote. He's got new 1.5 amp panels but he doesn't like building them in folders much :)

-Jamie M.
Home server: http://ywax.us
Speedtest: Image
Deal Fanatic
Nov 17, 2012
5381 posts
5003 upvotes
Toronto
Does anyone have recommendations for a company to work with on putting together a small kit for an off-grid cottage? Something in the 500w-1000w range to run lights, charge laptop/phones, maybe a 32" LCD TV for a couple hours etc. during the evening when the sun goes down.

Thankfully I've got propane service to run the fridge, stove and water heater. I have a 4kw Yamaha generator currently, and the cottage is totally wired up for power with a 100A panel, outlets, light switches etc. The cottage just plugs into the generator. So I'm looking to run it through a solar/battery system, and use the generator to top up the batteries if needed so I don't lose all the extra power I'm creating and will use the generator to run the lake water intake pump a couple times a day to fill the pressure tanks.

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