2oldman, I did not realize that your question about hooking "directly" to the panel was really about the controller -- yes, there is a controller. I would not bypass a controller -- too much risk of boiling the battery.
And red, I measured the 14 volts by putting a multimeter onto the battery terminals. The panels are 120 watt "no name" Chinese panels -- very much like the Renogy suitcase unit.
And mexicowanderer, I should add that my purpose in wanting to charge the panels fully is not "instant gratification" -- it is delayed gratification! I am hoping that the batteries will last longer than three days till they reach 12.1 volts and have to be swapped out. (This assumes, of course, three very cloudy days. If there is sun on this trip, the batteries will be hooked to the panel, and we will have more juice than we can use.)
