Portable (suitcase) solar "install" question
I've gone back and forth on solar panels on the roof or portable. Well, due to a tight budget, portable is the only way I'm going to get solar for now and it makes sense for me to try it out 1st as we...
Forum Discussion
Tom_M wrote:
As far as I'm concerned, ktmrfs is spot on. I have three panels, one on the roof and two portable that are attached to the side of my coach. I have two 50 foot cables with Anderson Powerpole SB50 connectors for the portable panels. When the panels are less than 50 feet away I run a separate cable to each. More than 50 feet I connect the two 50s together.
I would suggest buying panels and controller separately. I would go with panels that are 125 watt or lower. These are typically 12 volt panels. This would allow you to use a cheaper PWM charge controller.
Here's a controller available at Home Depot:
Grape PWM controller
your roof and portable combo is probably close to ideal setup. with some sun, no hassle with using the portable panels, in the shade use the portables.
100ish watt portables are nice size to move around. 160W portable 12V panels are available, but as a portable a single 160W panels is IMHO to combersome to move, a portable suitcase with hinged 80W is the biggest I'd want to move around, but does work well. that is my combo. but is space or weight is an issue a 100W or 120W portable suitcase may very well be a better choice.
