Solar Kit

The good thing is that even though my battery tray that is under my steps (shown where the blue box is in the picture below), I have a storage compartment close to it (red box) that I could eventually add support to add a couple more batteries. Perhaps something like AGM.

Currently there is a small tv hanging on the wall of that compartment. Would there be any issue with some batteries at the bottom with the tv in there? I assume AGM since they won't need to be vented.

wbwood wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I got the Renogy 100w suitcase last summer, but didn't get any boondocking to test it with, just in my driveway. My plan is to get a Solar30 30amp controller, dismount the 10w ViewStar and mount the Solar30 near the battery bank. Then set up longer panel to controller cables with a branch connector for adding a 100w panel with homemade stand. That will give me 200 watts with more placement flexibility and the controller placed near the battery bank with heavy cable for minimum loss.

I'm trying to decide on whether to get something like the 100 suitcase which will be simple and easier. Or to get the 200 watt kit and just make stands for them and use them the same way. Something tells me to go the 200 watt route. I can always mount them or get them mounted later on if we decide. We only have room for 2 batteries. We currently have two group 27's. One is 100 ah and the other 95 ah...so a total of 195 ah... We want to be able to do more dry camping. We would have the basic things...detectors, water pump, fridge control panel (fridge on propane), a couple of fantastic fans, light usage will be minimum (we have LED's, but we also have battery operated LED lanterns to use), a little tv watching (12 volt). We don't have an inverter (yet). We did ok for a short weekend. But it was not very hot and we did use the generator for an hour or two a day to recharge..

200 watts is better than 100 watts, no doubt. Part of the decision comes down to storage. I got the suitcase kit because it involved the most convenience and least amount of knowledge. However, I quickly got the knowledge after getting the kit and would now get the 200w kit instead so there is nothing wrong with your instincts.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Ski,

Mono panels are not shade tolerant at all. I'd suggest considering Poly instead.

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I realized that a 100w panel will be bigger than my suitcase, so I may get a 50w mono panel

I understand, but the suitcase setup is mono and supposed to be good in low light. I don't know the implications of mixing a poly panel with the two mono panels. Maybe the best of both worlds? Or is the portable kit mono with the assumption you can place in full sunlight?
Research indicates no problem mixing and that mono does best in direct sunlight with poly being better with partial shade.

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I got the Renogy 100w suitcase last summer, but didn't get any boondocking to test it with, just in my driveway. My plan is to get a Solar30 30amp controller, dismount the 10w ViewStar and mount the Solar30 near the battery bank. Then set up longer panel to controller cables with a branch connector for adding a 100w panel with homemade stand. That will give me 200 watts with more placement flexibility and the controller placed near the battery bank with heavy cable for minimum loss.

I'm trying to decide on whether to get something like the 100 suitcase which will be simple and easier. Or to get the 200 watt kit and just make stands for them and use them the same way. Something tells me to go the 200 watt route. I can always mount them or get them mounted later on if we decide. We only have room for 2 batteries. We currently have two group 27's. One is 100 ah and the other 95 ah...so a total of 195 ah... We want to be able to do more dry camping. We would have the basic things...detectors, water pump, fridge control panel (fridge on propane), a couple of fantastic fans, light usage will be minimum (we have LED's, but we also have battery operated LED lanterns to use), a little tv watching (12 volt). We don't have an inverter (yet). We did ok for a short weekend. But it was not very hot and we did use the generator for an hour or two a day to recharge..

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Ski,

Mono panels are not shade tolerant at all. I'd suggest considering Poly instead.

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I realized that a 100w panel will be bigger than my suitcase, so I may get a 50w mono panel

Don, are you saying that the poly are better? Because they are cheaper too...

That PVC video shows the ease of using 1" PVC for the construction of a stand. I know a few members here have just used small dimensions of lumber for the same type of tilting mechanism. Member BFL built his on a swivel base which I'm sure is an improvement.
I built a tilting base for my roof mounted module using aluminum box material. The cost is definitely more than PVC or wood but I don't worry about breakage. I cut the tilt supports so that they store in the length of the module. The supports attach to the module with pins secured with hairpins. If I was building a portable tilt stand, I'd attach the module end of the support legs with a bolt and a plastic wheel fastener for easier adjustment and rigidity.

Picture of the tilt supports:

DAS26miles wrote:
What's the difference in these controllers besides one costing $27 and the other $125.
http://www.renogy-store.com/30-amp-charge-controller-p/ctrl-pwm30.htm[

And the more expensive one.
http://www.renogy-store.com/ViewStar-30-amp-charge-controller-LCD-display-p/ctrl-pwm30-lcd-vs.htm[

They also have a 20 amp more expensive for $80.

The expensive one is programmable. You can get a programmable Solar30 off eBay for about $30. Renogy sells the Solar30 for $50.

Hi Ski,

Mono panels are not shade tolerant at all. I'd suggest considering Poly instead.

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I realized that a 100w panel will be bigger than my suitcase, so I may get a 50w mono panel

DAS26miles wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I got the Renogy 100w suitcase last summer, but didn't get any boondocking to test it with, just in my driveway. My plan is to get a Solar30 30amp controller, dismount the 10w ViewStar and mount the Solar30 near the battery bank. Then set up longer panel to controller cables with a branch connector for adding a 100w panel with homemade stand. That will give me 200 watts with more placement flexibility and the controller placed near the battery bank with heavy cable for minimum loss.

That's a good idea to get the 30 amp controller and move it closer to the battery. Plus getting the additional panel. As I mentioned, I may want to expand mine, but space is so limited and there really isn't a place for the controller near the battery without being exposed in the underside of the MH. It was mentioned to me that I could just get another 50 watt panel setup with a cheaper controlller and alligator clip it to the batteries with the suitcase kit. Sure seems like a lot of cables going everywhere. What's your idea on a homemade stand?

PVC pipe and if you google pvc solar panel stand you should find some videos on putting one together.
I realized that a 100w panel will be bigger than my suitcase, so I may get a 50w mono panel and just use the 10 amp controller for all 3 panels as it will be about 9 amps total. I would still move the controller near the battery bank.
Here is the video I saw: Homemade folding solar stand

What's the difference in these controllers besides one costing $27 and the other $125.
http://www.renogy-store.com/30-amp-charge-controller-p/ctrl-pwm30.htm[

And the more expensive one.
http://www.renogy-store.com/ViewStar-30-amp-charge-controller-LCD-display-p/ctrl-pwm30-lcd-vs.htm[

They also have a 20 amp more expensive for $80.