I have them and i also have the new 300w black frame version. Using victron 100/30 solar controllers, i get 195w from these 250w solar panels, and 255w from the new 300w version. The 300w is not only smaller when folded, its also lighter. The only downside is that the legs dont really have enough height adjustment. Im on the sunshine coast Queensland and its first week of December, i found that at the positions available i get 235w from the 300w but if i lay it down a bit flatter, i get 255w. The 300w solar panel also requires 8mm² solar cable if its 6m or longer. I had 4mm2 solar cable at 6m and it went down to 225w, 6mm² cable from kings i got 240w and with 8mm² cable i got 255w, but going up to as big as 16mm² there were no further gains. Hope this helps 😊
These bad boys go alright considering the price. The best way to get the most is having a decent mppt regulator. Myself I use the Victron 20amp. These solar panels can pull around 15amps in good sunlight which is perfect for a 120ah lithium
I just bought an inline power monitor with Andersen plugs on each end so I can monitor anything with an Andersen plug including these panels . I’ll be plugging in this solar panel to an I-Tech battery box with DCDC40 charger but apart from percentage it doesn’t show me specifics (A, Wh, W, V, etc) which is why I ordered the inline monitor (~$35). I’m thinking of getting a lithium version of a Bluetooth monitor ($30) too to plug into the battery so I can monitor it that way from my phone too.
That's great. I've tested the panels out a couple times on a flat battery and it cranks. I've got it connect to a Victron SmartSolar. All works well. The bag has started to flog out already but I carry it around on my roof rack so that can be expected. One thing I have noticed is the plastic they use to protect the aluminium frame of the panels was left on and they put the hinges and handles over the top so you can't just peel the plastic off which is a bit annoying. Other than that can't fault them. thanks for watching!
@@ChaseTheWeekend ahh yeah I can see what you mean about the plastic. My inline monitor works well and now I can see how the panels are performing. I needed to tighten up one of the lugs you had to in your video too. I just bought a Victron Smart Shunt ($128) to install in my battery box. I’m thinking I’ll make a busbar from flat bar aluminium and use it to connect the battery to the shunt and keep it in place.
I due to do an update on these panels now we're coming into summer, I should get some nice sun angle and hopefully not too much rain. Will post an update, stay tuned. Thanks for watching.
put the manual away, don't need that rubbish...ha ha ha. Always a nice easy to follow review mate, cheers. Getting power is something I ponder every now and then and it all seems too much like work so I just tick with the esky. Solar options seem totally logical. Keep smiling up there ✌🏻
Hi, it really depends on brand of MPPT. Some MPPTs can take a higher wattage than others. For this size panel (250w) I would go at least a 15A but a 20A would be better for 12v. If you divide the wattage of the panel by the charge rate of the battery that will give you an idea of the size for a regulator. E.G. 250w/14.7v = 17A, less losses of about 10-20% a 15A will be bang on the money. We use Victron SmartSolar MPPTs as they can take a higher wattage. Just remember that power clipped is power wasted so even if a 10A reg can take 250W it will clip the panel output down to 10A and the rest is wasted. In this scenario if there is only a few bucks difference between the 15A and a 20A go the 20A. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
I have been looking at these panels, how well do they work and what sort of numbers are you getting from them? I currently run the 10year old 80w panels that came with our camper and through the viltron mppt I'm getting 80w consistently but I'm looking for a little more power
I can't fault their performance. I've used them a few times camping now and each time they are performing at peak output. I did a video recording the output but I've lost the footage, I will do an update on them probably in the next few months. As predicted the bag has faded and started to get some rips but the panels themselves are great. Thanks for watching!
The Kings "Anderson Style" plugs are crap. The pins are very weak and wear down very quickly. Had to replace all mine on a folding panel and the MPPT charger as I wasn't getting a decent connection.
Agree, they are not the best. Might be ok for connections that don't get disconnected and reconnected often. Problem is genuine Ando's are stupid expensive. I picked up 100 off Ebay years ago and back then it was around 50c a pair and still better that than the kings ones. Thanks for watching.
I'll change it to a genuine Anderson Plug, only because I have some, but I'll leave the wiring as it is. I could solder in some thicker wire or proper PV twin but I don't think it will be a huge benefit. Thanks for watching!
Yes im keen to see what these panels put out. Im thinking of getting them if i still can.
I've recorded an update video showing output, stay tuned, hopefully have it out in the next few weeks. Thanks for watching!
I have them and i also have the new 300w black frame version. Using victron 100/30 solar controllers, i get 195w from these 250w solar panels, and 255w from the new 300w version. The 300w is not only smaller when folded, its also lighter. The only downside is that the legs dont really have enough height adjustment. Im on the sunshine coast Queensland and its first week of December, i found that at the positions available i get 235w from the 300w but if i lay it down a bit flatter, i get 255w.
The 300w solar panel also requires 8mm² solar cable if its 6m or longer. I had 4mm2 solar cable at 6m and it went down to 225w, 6mm² cable from kings i got 240w and with 8mm² cable i got 255w, but going up to as big as 16mm² there were no further gains.
Hope this helps 😊
Pretty good bang for your buck, thanks for sharing
Tested it on the weekend, was pumping out the juice!
These bad boys go alright considering the price. The best way to get the most is having a decent mppt regulator. Myself I use the Victron 20amp. These solar panels can pull around 15amps in good sunlight which is perfect for a 120ah lithium
Agree! Victron is the best in my opinion. The regulator is the most important part. I've seen some good numbers out of mine, very pleased.
I just bought an inline power monitor with Andersen plugs on each end so I can monitor anything with an Andersen plug including these panels . I’ll be plugging in this solar panel to an I-Tech battery box with DCDC40 charger but apart from percentage it doesn’t show me specifics (A, Wh, W, V, etc) which is why I ordered the inline monitor (~$35). I’m thinking of getting a lithium version of a Bluetooth monitor ($30) too to plug into the battery so I can monitor it that way from my phone too.
That's great. I've tested the panels out a couple times on a flat battery and it cranks. I've got it connect to a Victron SmartSolar. All works well. The bag has started to flog out already but I carry it around on my roof rack so that can be expected. One thing I have noticed is the plastic they use to protect the aluminium frame of the panels was left on and they put the hinges and handles over the top so you can't just peel the plastic off which is a bit annoying. Other than that can't fault them. thanks for watching!
@@ChaseTheWeekend ahh yeah I can see what you mean about the plastic. My inline monitor works well and now I can see how the panels are performing. I needed to tighten up one of the lugs you had to in your video too. I just bought a Victron Smart Shunt ($128) to install in my battery box. I’m thinking I’ll make a busbar from flat bar aluminium and use it to connect the battery to the shunt and keep it in place.
It would have been nice to see if it delivers close to 250W in real world tests
I due to do an update on these panels now we're coming into summer, I should get some nice sun angle and hopefully not too much rain. Will post an update, stay tuned. Thanks for watching.
@@ChaseTheWeekend thanks for replying. 👍
put the manual away, don't need that rubbish...ha ha ha. Always a nice easy to follow review mate, cheers. Getting power is something I ponder every now and then and it all seems too much like work so I just tick with the esky. Solar options seem totally logical. Keep smiling up there ✌🏻
Haha, only read the manual if something goes wrong lol. Thanks for watching mate. Hit me up if you ever need inspiration for a 12v system.
What size mppt regulator do you recommend?
Hi, it really depends on brand of MPPT. Some MPPTs can take a higher wattage than others. For this size panel (250w) I would go at least a 15A but a 20A would be better for 12v. If you divide the wattage of the panel by the charge rate of the battery that will give you an idea of the size for a regulator. E.G. 250w/14.7v = 17A, less losses of about 10-20% a 15A will be bang on the money. We use Victron SmartSolar MPPTs as they can take a higher wattage. Just remember that power clipped is power wasted so even if a 10A reg can take 250W it will clip the panel output down to 10A and the rest is wasted. In this scenario if there is only a few bucks difference between the 15A and a 20A go the 20A. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
I have been looking at these panels, how well do they work and what sort of numbers are you getting from them? I currently run the 10year old 80w panels that came with our camper and through the viltron mppt I'm getting 80w consistently but I'm looking for a little more power
I can't fault their performance. I've used them a few times camping now and each time they are performing at peak output. I did a video recording the output but I've lost the footage, I will do an update on them probably in the next few months. As predicted the bag has faded and started to get some rips but the panels themselves are great. Thanks for watching!
The Kings "Anderson Style" plugs are crap. The pins are very weak and wear down very quickly. Had to replace all mine on a folding panel and the MPPT charger as I wasn't getting a decent connection.
Agree, they are not the best. Might be ok for connections that don't get disconnected and reconnected often. Problem is genuine Ando's are stupid expensive. I picked up 100 off Ebay years ago and back then it was around 50c a pair and still better that than the kings ones. Thanks for watching.
Yes uncle Matt 😂🎉
Yes Nephew 😂
Hahah
change the wiring and plug
I'll change it to a genuine Anderson Plug, only because I have some, but I'll leave the wiring as it is. I could solder in some thicker wire or proper PV twin but I don't think it will be a huge benefit. Thanks for watching!