TheSamba.com :: View topic - WSOLAR 100 watt foldable kit from SolarBlvd

Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:01 pm

Just received my WSOLAR 100watt foldable solar panel kit from SolarBlvd (www.solarblvd.com)

The unit arrived within 3 days of ordering in good shape with more than adequate packing. The unit folds nicely and latches securely. The carry handle seems beefy enough. The legs appear kind of spindly but just have to wait and see. They do seem to aim the panel at the correct angle. The whole thing comes with a pretty decent carry bag. It *should* fit up in the upper berth, haven't stuffed it up there yet. Also haven't had a chance to really give the thing a work-out yet but early evaluation looks promising.

Some interesting features;

10 AMP charge controller included and mounted to the back of unit

Hook up wiring including 15' of lead-in wire, 1 set battery clamps, 1 cigarette lighter (or power port for the non smokers) adapter

Charge controller shows battery voltage with 3 LED's, charge indicator, load indicator LED's

Controller will cut power to load if battery voltage drops below a certain point.

At just under $200 including shipping it's a pretty impressive set-up IMHO

*NOTE* be SURE and check the polarity on the battery output pigtail coming off the charge controller, mine was color-coded and hooked up improperly. No big deal, I just slipped some heat-shrink tubing of the PROPER color over the existing leads and re-attached.

Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:51 pm

I don't see it, cheap !

Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:09 pm

I can't find any mention of a folding 100W panel kit anywhere on the site. Can you post a link to what you got?

Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:16 pm

pix are worth 1000 posts.

Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:10 pm

Hey Guys,
Looked at the site I ordered from, I couldn't find it again either! Sent them a message asking about the unit and I'm awaiting a reply. It's really odd... I just got it yesterday. I'll re-post when I have more info.

Again, Sorry guys

Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:20 pm

I like the idea.

Is it something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Instapark-PowerBox-Fold-n-Go...m_sbs_lg_1

Searching 100W folding panels for sale gets hits from Australian vendors. i.e.

http://www.lowenergydevelopments.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=98

Anyhow.... thanks for posting what you found. I'll be curious how it works out for you in real life!

Neil.

Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:42 pm

Something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwrDDMFxwjg

Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:48 pm

I'm not all that computer savvy when it comes to uploading pics to a particular forum, haven't got that much practice yet but I did manage to get photos of the Folding Solar Panel Kit uploaded to my gallery. Hopefully someone can make out this particular bit of gear and find it again

Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:48 pm

I looked at those last week but didn't pull the trigger. Great price. They may have sold out of them. Wish I had bought one.

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-&-Systems-12-Volt-Solar-Kits/c1_272/index.html

Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:00 pm

Hopefully they're just out of them for now and dropped them from the site temporarily. Oh yeah that's right... That Thing In The Desert What's it called? Flaming Humanoid? Burning Body? It's coming up when? THAT'S where they all went!

Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:35 pm

Looking forward to hearing about the kit's performance! This is on my short list of future upgrades :)

Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:22 am

scruffy wrote: I'm not all that computer savvy when it comes to uploading pics to a particular forum, haven't got that much practice yet but I did manage to get photos of the Folding Solar Panel Kit uploaded to my gallery

FTFY

Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:31 am

Looks great. Since I am lucky enough (or sometimes not) to live in the SF Bay area, we've got tons of solar suppliers around. Just picked up a 100 watt panel yesterday for $120. I already had a charge controller and wire, so I am set. I'll keep it in the back, as it fits perfectly on top of the cushion. I was hoping to roof mount it, but with having a Yakima Skybox and some sort of canoe,kayak, or surfboard combo on top, there's just too much shadowing going on.

The last thing I need to construct is a mount to angle to the sun and I'll be good to go. Solar rocks!

Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:04 am

Here's the response I got from Solarblvd after an inquiry:

They sold out in one week - we should have more next month. Sorry about the inconvinience. =(

Prashant Shewa
http://www.solarblvd.com

Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:37 am

BetaVan wrote: Looks great. Since I am lucky enough (or sometimes not) to live in the SF Bay area, we've got tons of solar suppliers around. Just picked up a 100 watt panel yesterday for $120. I already had a charge controller and wire, so I am set. I'll keep it in the back, as it fits perfectly on top of the cushion. I was hoping to roof mount it, but with having a Yakima Skybox and some sort of canoe,kayak, or surfboard combo on top, there's just too much shadowing going on.

The last thing I need to construct is a mount to angle to the sun and I'll be good to go. Solar rocks!

ADJUSTABLE ANGLE STEEL FRAME SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING KIT WALL ROOF OR GROUND MOUNT

price: US $12.99 for a pair
Shipping: US $8.98
Quantity: 4 Available
Item number: 400299768998 :bay_blue: Ebay- this is all you need, I have two of these on 85 watt panels on my vans. Great price. Works good for mobile mounting. :D

Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:52 am

Quote: ADJUSTABLE ANGLE STEEL FRAME SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING KIT WALL ROOF OR GROUND MOUNT
Will look into that. Thanks!

Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:23 am

I just checked a local supplier with a similar product. Though his web page shows only the 100/120 Watt folding panels as sold out, all his 80 Watt folding panels are gone too. :(

(though 80 Watts may be too little even if used only with only a TF49 and 100 AH battery)

Neil.

Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:51 pm

I've had the unit set up in the window of my apartment and it's been charging up an SLA battery. Not ideal conditions but I'm surprised and the output given the orientation of the panel, sitting behind double-paned windows, etc. I don't have an ammeter hooked up, just a voltmeter reading battery voltage. I've been checking where the charge controller cuts off the charge and when it disconnects the load.