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Originally Posted by camaraderie
LeLaLu...
I own a solarstik and I have personal, first hand knowledge of getting 8+ amps per hour out of it.
Since the owner of solar stick says it puts out 6 amps and you claim 8 I think you might need to adjust your measuring devices. I am NOT disparaging the product only claiming that CONTINOUS output of greater than 8.3 amps is impossible for a 100 watt panel. (100 watts= 12V x 8.3amps!!) and that therefore claims of 80-100 amp hours a day are ridiculous...especially since there are losses in the system and the owner says 6 amps is the average output INTO the batteries after regulation.
Sorry... I'm glad you are happy with the product but again...the laws of the universe don't get altered just cause somebody mounts a couple of panels on a rotating adjustable mount.
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I think that you are not factoring in the "smart" charge controller into your calculations. The charge controller has three displays: battery level, solar panel output and charge controller output. The charge controller output is generally higher than the solar panel output. It has something to do with the controller converting the power so that your batteries can accept it. (This was explained to me, but went in one ear and out the other). Anyway, I don't want to argue with you - my point was that I have personally, consistantly (in the short time we have had it installed) generated 80 - 100 amps per day. If it pleases you, I will take a picture of my charge controller as it hits 8 or above and post that for you. By the way, the charge controller is made by Blue Sky, which, as far as I know, has no affiliation with SolarStik.
For anyone else who is reading this post, if you are interested in the product, talk to someone who has one. I think that there is going to be an article coming up in Practical Sailor on it in the near future. (That's what the SolarStik people said at the boat show - I don't know what month it will be out, so watch for it.)