TomG2 wrote:
I don't know if the HF kit is all junk, as described. I have never owned one, but the video reviews are positive. The only wiring required is from the battery to the controller. How easy is that? Lots easier than using a mc4 connector tool.
Tom,
The HF panel kit is a fools paradise, period.
You make it sound like fabulous bargain, but in reality it is not and the OP WILL be kicking himself every day over wasting $140 on FOUR LOUSY 25W panels with a pretty poor combiner setup and a small 10A basic controller.
The OP will have lots o fun moving, storing and/or installing FOUR 25W panels when for $15 more could have made the job a SNAP with ONE 100W panel.
As far as the MC4 tool goes that to is a non issue, the better kit (Renogy)INCLUDES 40ft of 12Ga wire WITH THE MC4 CONNECTORS INSTALLED..
It in essence IS 100% PLUG AND PLAY like YOU whined about.
Sometimes it IS better to do it ONCE instead of WASTING MONEY MULTIPLE TIMES..
I suspect that those glowing reviews came from folks like you that obviously do not have a clue about what REALLY is good, happens a lot and some folks like myself would rather see someone NOT make this kind of rookie mistake electrically..
Hope it does OK for the OP, but in reality they WILL be lucky to get 4A maybe 5A average out of that kit when the dust settles, that is a drop in the bucket, nothing more than a trickle charger and the reason folks end up popping for MORE panels. The 10A HF controller will not have enough capacity to add more than one or two more 25W panels (and those are $70 each at HF plus you would need to pay for an additional hokey combiner). IF you REALLY wanted to expand that setup you would HAVE to buy another 100W HF kit.
Because of that, ONE single 100W panel WITH a 30A controller would have been the better choice to cut your teeth on because you can simply add more 100W panels up to 30A.
I am done wasting any more time advising you or anyone else a better way for solar stuff on this forum. Just can't fix stupid..
