Anyone had any Xperiance with portable solar systems? I'm looking at a 200 watt unit.
Portable Solar April 21, 2016, 10:57:44 pm Anyone had any Xperiance with portable solar systems? I'm looking at a 200 watt unit. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Portable Solar Reply #1 – April 21, 2016, 11:26:12 pm Quote from: bbeane – April 21, 2016, 10:57:44 pmAnyone had any Xperiance with portable solar systems? I'm looking at a 200 watt unit. With only a 200 watt panel, you could store it in a bay, At a campsite take it out and aim it at the sun. Will not really supply enough to run anything, but can put a small charge on the batteries. You can use a small charge controller with alligator clips and attach to your batteries when needed. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #2 – April 22, 2016, 12:52:55 am Bruce,I am also shopping for portable Solar charging. I am looking at this ( Samlex MSK-90 90 Watt Portable Solar Charging ) Solar Electric Power Systems For On & Off Grid | Panels and More | NAWS suggested Solartech SPM085P panel with a SS-10-12V, or a SSD-25 charge controller.I think SSD-25RM (SunSaver Dual Battery 25 Amp 12 Volt Solar Charge Controller With Digital Meter) be better.Also Portable solar panel kits, small to large solar power kits - Goal Zero have some interesting portable Solar solutions.&100 Watt 12 Volt Portable Solar Suitcase | Renogy SolarAL Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #3 – April 22, 2016, 08:06:25 am Another way to do solar (scroll to top) Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #4 – April 22, 2016, 09:27:53 am I have seriously thought of replacing some or all of my window awnings with solar panels. I'd use them just like awnings with the only downside being they would hang against the windows when down. Probably could figure a way to change the angle for better reception. Several years ago I built a contraption to be able to tilt my roof panels left-right, and fore-aft. Kinda draws attention when they're tilted in two directions since it looks like they are standing on one corner. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #5 – April 22, 2016, 10:17:25 am I'm surprised some RV genius hasn't adapted the technology used in some of those "solar farms", where the panels are computer controlled and track the sun from dawn to dusk. You probably wouldn't want this happening when you were driving down the road, so it would require a safety interlock. But once you reached your camp site, would just be one additional button to push:1. Parking brake - ON2. Autolevel - ON3. Solar Panel AutoTrack - ON Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #6 – April 22, 2016, 12:17:09 pm For now I am only looking to put together a solar charger kit to charge "maintain" 3 new AGM (12v) dual purpose deep cycle (Engine start) batteries on my RV.I would like a portable unit where the solar panel would sit on the dashport inside of windshield. This set up is to keep the engine batteries charged while parked at the storage place where the front windshield location is the only location that gets indirect sun light (RV is parked front facing North). Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #7 – April 22, 2016, 10:02:11 pm Biggest problem of portable solar, like portable generators is theft. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #8 – April 23, 2016, 07:06:28 am Ya know.. I hhave a 15w panel that I stick in the front window 15x15" and the engine port 12v (cig lighter).. keeps it 12.6 Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Portable Solar Reply #9 – April 22, 2018, 09:59:27 pm So what did you guys do about the portable panel kits. Inquiring minds. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #10 – April 22, 2018, 10:21:51 pm I put 850 watts on top, works great for the last year and a half. Couldn't see how portable panels could get it done. We boondock more than we stay connected to the pole. 6 days in a CG in the past 90 days. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #11 – April 22, 2018, 10:25:26 pm Thanks Barry. U do have a nice set up. But wondering what others have done with portable stuff. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Portable Solar Reply #12 – April 23, 2018, 12:05:07 am We will be at Spider Rock park in AZ for a while in June and was wondering what people were using. Thought it might be a short-term solution. Looks like for a 100 watt system we would be spending around $300. If it was a buck and a half or so it might be worth it. We pushed our solar project back due to our travel plans this year and was re-considering the solar. We will run the gen set when required. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #13 – April 23, 2018, 12:20:28 am Quote from: Carol & Scott – April 23, 2018, 12:05:07 amWe will be at Spider Rock park in AZ for a while in June and was wondering what people were using. Thought it might be a short-term solution. Looks like for a 100 watt system we would be spending around $300. If it was a buck and a half or so it might be worth it. We pushed our solar project back due to our travel plans this year and was re-considering the solar. We will run the gen set when required. ~~~ SOLAR WORLD PANEL - 345 XL MONO ~~ - electronics - by owner - saleBefore you pay that kind of money, check out your local craigslist. You might find panels and controllers pretty cheap. You have lots of roof real estate so you can look for a good deal. Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #14 – April 23, 2018, 05:22:50 pm Not a lot of watts there. I would lock them to the coach as I have a nasty suspicious mind that they might get taken.Keith Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #15 – April 23, 2018, 05:57:37 pm Quote from: Carol & Scott – April 23, 2018, 12:05:07 amWe will be at Spider Rock park in AZ for a while in June and was wondering what people were using. Thought it might be a short-term solution. Looks like for a 100 watt system we would be spending around $300. If it was a buck and a half or so it might be worth it. We pushed our solar project back due to our travel plans this year and was re-considering the solar. Echo Jim's post. I just looked at the Sacramento Craigslist and you can buy a new 340 watt panel for $199 or a 165 watt panel for $99. Controllers are super cheap on eBay so your total would be less than a buck and a half for 165 watts. This is with only a 30 second search. Lots of panels going for no more than $0.33/watt. You should be able to find a 280 watt panel for $100.Nothing wrong with Chinese panels as many of our solar farms in the U.S. use them. Ours are Yingli panels and are built like tanks. I bought ours off CL from an guy who had a few left over after installing 80,000 in the Mojave Desert.Pierce Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Portable Solar Reply #16 – April 30, 2018, 12:11:29 am Sale ends today, just saw this online at Costco for $120. Coleman 100W Solar Panel With 8.5 AMP Charge Controller Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #17 – April 30, 2018, 02:22:48 am I recommend the fixed roof type. Do you really want to:1. Chase your panels when a gust of wind blows them around?2. Move bulky rectangles around?3. Trip over wires?4. Have low output?5. Have someone steal your panels?6. Wonder where to store the panels?It may sound tempting to buy low-cost, ground-mounted panels with low-efficiency PWM chargers, but you will regret not investing in a roof-mounted, higher-power, high-quality MPPT system with sufficient power to meet future demands that account for:- Shade- Clouds- Dirt- High-winds Quote Selected
Re: Portable Solar Reply #18 – April 30, 2018, 02:25:59 am I recommend the fixed roof type. Do you really want to:1. Chase your panels when a gust of wind blows them around?2. Move bulky rectangles around?3. Trip over wires?4. Have low output?5. Have someone steal your panels?6. Wonder where to store the panels?It may sound tempting to buy low-cost, ground-mounted panels with low-efficiency PWM chargers, but you will regret not investing in a roof-mounted, higher-power, high-quality MPPT system with sufficient power to meet future demands that account for:- Shade- Clouds- Dirt- High-winds. We encountered 60 MPH winds and our fixed, roof-mounted panels stayed put. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Topic: Portable Solar