Solar panel ques. - RV-Dreams Community Forum

CJSX2fromCT · RV-Dreams Family Member

Solar panel ques.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

CJSX2fromCT wrote:
what is the difference between
Monocrystalline panel
and a
Polycrystalline panel?
Which does a better job?
Thanks for replies.

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/Solar_panels_and_controllers.html

"In general, the monocrystalline cells are slightly more efficient, and thus produce panels that are slightly smaller for a given output. This difference is not that great however, and I would not use it as a major buying criterion."

benwoody · RV-Dreams Community Member

Monocrystalline panel are long lifespan.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

benwoody wrote:
Monocrystalline panel are long lifespan.

They're also more efficient than poly in direct sunlight. I've read poly works better across a wider array of lighting conditions, but I don't have enough experience of my own to be able to say definitively.

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

The difference is not enough to worry about.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

But, you know, Larry, those monocrystalline panels are just so damned SEXAY!!!

HAWT!!!

Can solar panels ever really be SEXAY???

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I’ve been known to install items on my SUV and TT for looks too.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

LarryW21 wrote:
I’ve been known to install items on my SUV and TT for looks too.

Then you cannot help but buy monocrystalline.

HAWT!!!

carolinakids · RV-Dreams Family Member

Read HandyBobs Blog.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

carolinakids wrote:
Read HandyBobs Blog.

Why?

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I find Handy Bob....hmmm...not fun.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Old_Man wrote:
carolinakids wrote:
Read HandyBobs Blog.
Why?

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/ and judge for yourself. HandyBob has good information buried under an anti solar installer attitude and a "my way is the only way" view. He has actually mellowed over the years. Originally he would only recommend one solar controller, did not believe any solar sellers were competent, didn't like MPPT, and he actually told me I had to change my breakfast to eat exactly the same as he did.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Old_Man wrote:
carolinakids wrote:
Read HandyBobs Blog.
Why?
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/ and judge for yourself. HandyBob has good information buried under an anti solar installer attitude and a "my way is the only way" view. He has actually mellowed over the years. Originally he would only recommend one solar controller, did not believe any solar sellers were competent, didn't like MPPT, and he actually told me I had to change my breakfast to eat exactly the same as he did.

Hey, I'm as "anti" as anyone these days. But if someone begins ragging on my dietary choices, I may have to go full-on Al Pacino from "Scent of a Woman." Leave the smart folk to their smartness.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Old_Man wrote:
carolinakids wrote:
Read HandyBobs Blog.
Why?
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/ and judge for yourself. HandyBob has good information buried under an anti solar installer attitude and a "my way is the only way" view. He has actually mellowed over the years. Originally he would only recommend one solar controller, did not believe any solar sellers were competent, didn't like MPPT, and he actually told me I had to change my breakfast to eat exactly the same as he did.

OK, I've read enough. While I agree with him about salespeople and most people being stupid (I SURE AM!!!), his anger is inappropriate in its intensity. I found myself thinking, "Dude, nobody cares." and I thought I was negative. Yeesh. I'm a piker compared to that guy.. I do believe his heart is probably in the right place. Like I said, I thought I was angry.

Is "HandyBob," an nom de plume for the ubiquitous, annoying and ultimately paranoid schizophrenic, Bob Wells? It reads the way Bob talks. Does HandyBob have a tin foil hat? Is he scared to death of chemtrails? Aliens? (Never let him near the VLA or Jodie Foster. Poor Jodie...) LIBERALS??? (you'd think we had crab lice or something)

I also disagree with him regarding how much power a given rig needs. His basis for comparison is his own system, which is fine, but his POV and his approach, well, you know, flies and vinegar. At least when I write like that, it's on purpose, calculated for whatever impact I want to have. In many ways, HB reminds me of my younger self, arguing guitar gear. You think solar is a contentious subject? Get a young guitarist on the subject of overdrive pedals and disagree with him/her. You'll have WWIII on your hands. These days I just tell them, 'listen with your hears. listen with your heart, listen with your hands. Serve the song. If you want better tone, learn to play better."

With solar, it's not quite as subjective, There are measurables, and predictable results which can be analyzed. Who's right? The person paying the bill? Who knows? Who cares? Does your system work for you? Only that matters.

-- Edited by Old_Man on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 02:22:31 PM

-- Edited by Old_Man on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 02:24:44 PM

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Buying the right controller and using larger wiring makes upgrades easy is the advice disregarded most often. Too many don’t and I wish my controller was a 40 and not a 30 amp max.

Old_Man · RV-Dreams Family Member

LarryW21 wrote:
Buying the right controller and using larger wiring makes upgrades easy is the advice disregarded most often. Too many don’t and I wish my controller was a 40 and not a 30 amp max.

You are correct, sir! I can tell you I am not disregarding it. Bought a foot of 4/0 just to practice with.

On the off chance you're disregarding my choices, ok, whatever. :)

-- Edited by Old_Man on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 04:13:17 PM

McIver · RV-Dreams Community Member

I researched for a year. Wound up following Handybob’s advice to the letter. Now I have a 600 watt, 4 6v battery system on my 34’ fifth wheel that works perfectly. In the past year I have been boondocked for over 80 days and have only run my Honda 3000 generator (which he recommends) very little. It is all in the details and he covers it all in a no nonsense (if take-no-prisoners) manner. By the way, HE is not selling anything.

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

It’s not the Handy Bob’s advice is wrong, McIver. It’s that Handy Bob has...attitude! lol

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'd just like to point out that this is a two year old thread. Use a little caution when reading the earlier comments, especially if they apply to information or products that are out of date or no longer available.

Remember that Howard prefers that we not revive old threads.

Terry

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not that much more efficient. If you have the roof space buy another panel and you’ll be ahead.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Old_Man wrote:
bjoyce wrote:
Old_Man wrote:
carolinakids wrote:
Read HandyBobs Blog.
Why?

...Is "HandyBob," an nom de plume for the ubiquitous, annoying and ultimately paranoid schizophrenic, Bob Wells? It reads the way Bob talks...
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nope, not Bob Wells... Bob Shearer, his name is right there on his blog.

George441 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I guess you already got the difference.

Anyway, The main difference between them,

Monocrystalline: solar cells made from a single crystal of silicon fragment.

Polycrystalline: solar cells made from many silicon fragments.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is a four year old thread. Since Howard prefers that we not "revive" threads older than one year old, I'm going to close this one.

When looking at a thread and choosing to post a comment, please look at the dates under the avatar and username of the posters. If the original is more than a year old, don't comment in the old one, but if interested, you can start a new thread on the same topic.

Terry