Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
From Sunforce
Availability:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
Shop from Car Autoscanner Store
Product Description
The Sunforce 60 Watt solar charging kit is designed for cabins, RVs, boats, remote power, 12V battery charging and backup power.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #39 in Automotive
- Brand: Sunforce
- Model: 50044
- Released on: 2005-11-25
- Dimensions: 42.25" h x 12.00" w x 54.00" l,
Features
- Solar charging kit is designed for RVs, homes, boats, back-up and remote power use, and more
- Built-in ultra-bright blue LED charging indicator
- Made of durable ABS plastic and amorphous solar cells
- Includes PVC mounting frame, 7 Amp charge controller, 175-watt inverter, and wiring/connection cables
- Maximum temperature range of -40 to 176-degrees Fahrenheit
Sunforce 50044
I received the product in what appeared to be the original shipping carton from China. Although packed very well in bubble rap and Styrofoam the box contained two broken panels and a wire that did not conduct current. Amazon did a fine job sending me the replacement parts and provided a means to ship back the broken items.
I would suggest that you purchase a multimeter to check your set-up otherwise, as was my initial situation, it is nearly impossible to determine the failure when your system does not work. After receipt of the replacement parts and testing I got the system up and running.
It does what it is advertised to do...produce "up to" 60 watts of power.
I believe it is a fine starter kit for small duty solar power production and projects. The price is comparatively fair and contains all you need to get started except the testing meter. Yes, as previously mention by a reviewer, the bolts provided rust very quickly.
Nice easy to install small system
I wasn't expecting much from this system, but I'm very happy with it.
The installation was a breeze.
Only thing is, one of the support legs on the PVC stand was glued down and now I can't adjust the angle. Still works ok. Hooked it up to marine deep cycle batter and it does what I need it to.
Replace the mounting hardware
The panels themselves are well-made and produce more than the rated amount of juice.
They arrived intact, sandwiched in slabs of styrofoam.
I am happy with them. The voltage regulator works. The wiring, fan-in dongle, etc., are all reasonable.
Everything else that came with the order is non-recyclable toxic waste - do with it what you will.
The mounting screws are FAKE CHINESE STAINLESS STEEL and start rusting the moment you place them outdoors, staining everything below them with indelible streaks of rust.
If you want to use the included mounting frames (and why would you?) then go to a hardware store, and get some true stainless 10-24-3" Philips screws and nylock nuts.
It will set you back US$15.
The 1.5" PVC frames are functional but ugly and sloppy-looking; I don't know why anyone would want to use them either.
The inverter that's thrown in with the order is junk.
I "smoke-tested" mine, and, indeed it started smoking! The instructions enclosed with the panels say something like "the included inverter, should you choose to use it" says it all.
It almost seems like the panels and the charger are made by competent people, and everything else ("the kit") by a bunch of ___ .
