Solar questions
Hello all and thanks again in advance. I have found some suitcase style solar panels that get great reviews on Amazon and am considering pulling the trigger as they would work well for my intended us...
Forum Discussion
Jbrowland wrote:I'm waiting for this technology to mature: DSS solar panels :B (just kidding)
Question. Has anyone installed the new and lighter flexible style panels? I imagine this will be the future if they can make them as efficient as the heavier versions. It would be great to by a folding, flexible, 100w portable suitcase style panel or make it. That sure would improve portability as well as cut down on weight on the roof of an RV. For now though, they aren't as cost effective but getting closer.
One more question. Would you all feel safe leaving one of these portable solar suitcases alone and attached to the batter via gator clips while away from the RV? I'm talking about possible fire hazards not so much theft although that is certainly a consideration.
I am thinking about a small portable array for deploying when parking in shade but the more I think about deploying and storing another item, the keener I get to mounting more module on the roof and increasing my battery capacity. Lawn chairs are even a small burden to pack and store.
I wouldn't worry about gator clips causing a safety hazard. If one fell off, there would be no power in the wires. A more critical hazard would be losing the function of the controller as the panel is producing power and the controller is not able to dissipate it to the battery. A better system would be to either mount controller close to batteries or use an Andersen Powerpole or SAE connection for the wiring. If I do go the portable route, a decent connection terminal will be the first thing I have installed. No alligator clips will be used.
