Portable solar panel

Different controllers, different instructions. Most controllers need to be connected to the battery first to set the voltage. Others like the little portables give you no choice.

The clarification come in the instructions of each unit.

xyzHollyxyz wrote:

"One has to connect the batt last..."

For prewired suitcase models that have the controller on the back of the panel and already wired. No other to do it.

For a homemade portable, one show add some method of disconnect between the panel and controller to allow for the controller to be connected to batt and then the panel. If not, one should point panel away from sun while connecting to the battery.

For those of us following this thread and trying to learn how to effectively and properly use solar, two contradictory statements have just been made:

"Controller should be connected to battery first..."

"One has to connect the batt last..."

Any clarification available?

profdant139 wrote:
We have a Chinese no-name 120 watt portable suitcase thing -- it is wonderful. Free juice from the sky!

Yes, we have to deploy it and store it -- but it means we can park in the shade and put the panel in the sun. If you decide to use a longer cable, get a thick one -- a thin cable will have a lot of resistance and will cause a voltage drop over a longer run.

I pretty much knew, Dan, when I sold you that portable panel, that it would be a very good fit for your usage levels. Dan's energy audits were spot on for this size solar panel for his batteries. Chase the sun aiming the panel at it on short winter days, and you should still have enough to meet your needs on most sunny days.

No one should knock people that buy and use portable solar panels, they are very practical and have their place in smaller applications and setting camp in shaded areas. They provide added versatility.

Almot wrote:

There is nothing to make up. MC4 takes a bit of effort to disconnect. Dust, salt from marine air, cold weather making plastic stiff - a lot of factors in play. Controller should be connected to battery first, not at the same time with panel. That's why there are disconnects.

more bologna. the disconnect on a suitcase is on the batt side, there is no need to use it. One has to connect the batt last hopefully with the panel facing down or pointed away from sun, this is a non issue. One can use the MC4 to add an extension or to change out the alligators clips or ...

Not using solar 24/7 is a shame but that is how many folks use their suitcase, only when they camp. When a trailer is garaged/covered the panel sits out in the sun and one employs a trailer batt on/off.

Check out WEATHER PAC

Real connectors, SUBMERSIBLE. Reconnectable and you damned sure cannot easily yank them apart accidentally. When soldered rather than crimped, then smeared with silicone dielectric grease these suckers are awesome. And Ooooooooo they are just MADE to connect and disconnect.

red31 wrote:

that why he makes stuff up about portable.

I bought a 100w ecoworthy suitcase for <$200 delivered.
Perfect the ignorant person I bought it for, trailer storage.

There is nothing to make up. MC4 takes a bit of effort to disconnect. Dust, salt from marine air, cold weather making plastic stiff - a lot of factors in play. Controller should be connected to battery first, not at the same time with panel. That's why there are disconnects. Renogy uses all kinds of connectors, can be this and can be that, and controller can be Viewstar 10 or something else again, no matter what the manual says.

Yes, people who don't know much, don't want DIY much, or don't have time - they have no other choice.

Controller without proper charging algorithm that is only good for storage - people use it for camping. Because it is "simple", has display and buttons. Or it has nothing, no buttons, no adjustments, and they still use it. Small panel can't charge battery full, and they still use it, because it's small and convenient.

Then they come here, - Whaa i'm not getting enough juice from my battery :)

Your choice.

wbwood wrote:

Have you owned the suitcase? I do and you do not have to disconnect and reconnect wires after the first time... They stay connected with the alligator clips.. you clip them on the battery and voila...disconnect when done...roll up cables place back on side and then fold over the panel and snap shut. Then you put back in it's protective case....very easy....and no connecting or disconnect the mc4 connectors that come with it.....

all red herrings, that why he makes stuff up about portable.

I bought a 100w ecoworthy suitcase for <$200 delivered.
Perfect the ignorant person I bought it for, trailer storage.
The waterproof controller on back is cr@p AFIK, set @ 13.8v
I did add a night light set to run 3hrs each dusk.
It has helped saved one battery from excess abuse.

Controller can be upgraded, no big deal.
It seems that Renogy guys install whatever connectors they have in bin, so there is a chance that OP will get Anderson instead of MC4 :)...

All good as long as it harvests enough. 100W is such a small array.

Later if they decide on permanent solar, 2*50W panels will be more pain than a single 140-160W.

Almot wrote:


And again, MC4 is not a good choice for quick disconnect. Inconvenient in frequent use. They are OK for semi-permanent interconnects between the panels though.

Have you owned the suitcase? I do and you do not have to disconnect and reconnect wires after the first time... They stay connected with the alligator clips.. you clip them on the battery and voila...disconnect when done...roll up cables place back on side and then fold over the panel and snap shut. Then you put back in it's protective case....very easy....and no connecting or disconnect the mc4 connectors that come with it.....