Solar component(s) help needed

johnm1 wrote:
I keep bouncing back and forth on what to get and need someone to point me in the right direction ... please.

I have a new TT toy hauler. All LED lights, don't want to run 120AC stuff. Have (2) 6v gc batts (new). Camp in shaded areas (not deep shade) in upstate NY and I'm planning on starting with a portable system of 100 to 200W.

I was thinking a MPPT charge controller was better for me, since it supposedly harvests the sun better in shaded areas but I've been reading that the MPPT units don't work as well as the PWM units with smaller PV systems. I don't mind spending more $$ on something like the MPPT but I want it to do what I need it to do.

Which would people recommend for me with the above criteria?

Thanks and I know there will be follow-on questions!

Buy a generator and extension cord and call it good.

Solar panels and shady camping, not a good mix.

One must ask themselves just how much lugging and tugging do you REALLY want to deal with for portable solar panels..

Decent panels that will net you a fair amount of wattage are LARGE and EASY TO BREAK. A 100W panel is about 4ft x 2.5ft and supply a mere 5.75A a peak sun!

You will need some sort of "stand" that is easy to build/break down and store.

You will need one heck of a lot of expensive and not to mention heavy wire to get any appreciable distance away from the shade.

Then you also have to take into account storing and hauling big panels.

Sure you can buy "portable" panels, but they will cost more and you will need panels of them since they are often smaller in order to make them portable.

HERE is a portable Renogy "suit case" for $200

or you can get a 100W regular Renogy HERE for $139