cheap solar cells on ebay

[yopappamon]

I bought two of the panels from that eBay auction. They are in Anaheim so I got them in one day. Very nice panel. I don't know why they were so cheap. The sold out the $200 for 120w panels. I think it was going to cost me about that to build my own.

 

[Evoforce]

Good job on finding that deal. You are correct on being frugal and finding a good deal on existing panels. It is fun to experiment and create your own panels, but as I have mentioned earlier in this post, all things considered plus factoring in your time and materials, it would normally be better to find a good deal on existing panels and learn how to install the system yourself. This is especially true if you want a large solar system that will supply most of the electricity for your home. IMO solar prices will continue to drop and I do wish that the materials to build your own panels would come down in price also. We also need many of the restrictions, here in the states and around the world, that keep DIY from doing this and other things, abolished.

 

[yopappamon]

We also need many of the restrictions, here in the states and around the world, that keep DIY from doing this and other things, abolished.

What restrictions are you referring to?

 

[Evoforce]

Earlier in this post, I referred to many of the restrictions imposed in most parts of the United Stated.

 

[yopappamon]

Earlier in this post, I referred to many of the restrictions imposed in most parts of the United Stated.

Right, UL and licensed electrician and such. Mine are going on my RV and will probably stay 12v, maybe a small inverter too. But no grid tie.

Clouds this morning so I can't play...

The next step is to talk to some people about getting their used UPS batteries.

 

[yopappamon]

Well, I have been using a 2000 / 4000 peak watt inverter from harbor freight for years. It works excellent and is alot cheaper than you will find most places. I also have a 800 watt inverter that I also have run with success. The only periodic mantainence I have had to do is replace cooling fans.View attachment 3

View attachment 1I also have the same model that I use on my boat. I ran solar on my boat for many years too.

These are in sale for $159.99 now

http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-watt-continuous-4000-watt-peak-power-inverter-95596.html

 

[Evoforce]

If you are going to be running a microwave that is high in watts, I would get the next larger size from them. Also the use of a hair dryer, t.v. lights etc all on at the same time, would be handled better with their next size up. Yopappa, you probably have gas appliances in your traveller, but if you don't, got to take the fridge, etc, into account also. You could also split your system and use two inverters but that would use more energy than one larger wattage inverter. A run capacitor is also good for those things that take huge loads to initially start up. My evaporative cooler gives my inverter hell when trying to start up.

 

[yopappamon]

Their site crashed last night while I was trying to order and it stayed down all night. On the page that came up it gave a 10% discount code for the inconvenience. If you order before noon Pacific time you get 10% off any one item. 99056947

So I got the $199 inverter on sale for $159.99 for $143.99