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Blazing_Zippers's avatar
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2018

Portable solar

There are suitcase, or portable solar panels that are commercially available. They don't seem to be over 120 watts, and are pretty expensive for my "thrifty" taste. Add the fact that it's snowing and I need a RV project....
Has anyone on here built a foldable panel system using two 100 watt panels that would connect to the RV by a cord? Pros? Cons? Etc.
I'm aware that this should have a controller and adequate wiring, and that 200 watts wouldn't be a lot of juice.

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  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2018
    why 100 watt panels? they seem to be very popular with the RV crowd.

    I've toyed with the idea of a 260 watt "carry out" panel, I could add a connector and controller easily to my front storage basement.

    Issues holding me back:
    Number one is: 200+ watts of solar would weight the same as my 2000 watt generator, and the generator works night and day, rain or shine.

    Number two is: There's no good place to store a large heavy rectangle in my trailer except on the bed, which means it has to go outside when I'm parked. Sometimes I'm parked overnight at a parking lot, and would not want a solar panel outside. The generator is tiny by comparison, and lives in my shower or back of the truck.

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