As I said, I installed a 50 watt solar unit and wish it had been 75 or 100. In adition to the applications you mentioned (i.e., charging a laptop battery, camera battery, etc.), I also run a ham radio transceiver (100 watts transmitter power) and a 12 v cooler. My 50 watt panel does not keep up with all this, so I have to ration the electricity very carefully. Keep in mind that the rated output power is the maximum power that the panel can deliver. In the real world, reduced winter sunlight and the inability to keep the panel always oriented perpendicular to the sun's rays will substantially reduce the output. Even on the brightest midsummer days, I have not seen my 50 watt panel deliver more than around 40 watts. Dave in KC 85 Westy |
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