Anyone use the Harbor Freight solar panel kits?

The advice I offer is based on my own real life testing. I've made mistakes, and we all do, but we learn and share. Hopefully I may be able to help others from learning the hard (expensive) way.

I've been fortunate enough to have helped many folks on these forums, with solar installations and have also been approached via private message. I consider it a privilege to have been able to do that.

I wish the OP well, but wish he had listened, not just to me, but to several other folks who gave him what, in my opinion was good advice. That advice does not include the Harbor Freight option.

pianotuna wrote:
The HF systems are fairly pricey per watt and come with a "junk" controller.

They are low efficiency panels that may use up most of the room on the roof of an RV.

Who is giving good positive advice? Looks like he prefers to trash talk! Can't come up with an alternative until challenged?

pianotuna wrote:
Please do continue to give such wonderful advice.

Please keep discouraging newcomers to our hobby by trashing their expectations and curiosity. Some people want a cheap simple solution. Some like to blow smoke and show off their "expertise". I NEVER said the HF was the ultimate solution, but I did not try to turn off a curious member with a snow job either. The dozens of YouTube reviews are ninety percent positive and these are often by people that don't know the first thing about solar. Glad that they are getting on board. I don't care if they are impressed by me at all.

Please do continue to give such wonderful advice.

TomG2 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Congratulations on getting a system that won't be adequate and can't be expanded.

And people ask why the popularity of the forums is declining. Positive helpful advice like this. The OP is gambling $150 with little or no risk and you are whining that he did not order something else.

There was a bird flying around the local Hazard Fraud store the other day. The whole time it was chirping cheap cheap cheap. #hack_comedy

pianotuna wrote:
Congratulations on getting a system that won't be adequate and can't be expanded.

And people ask why the popularity of the forums is declining. Positive helpful advice like this. The OP is gambling $150 with little or no risk and you are whining that he did not order something else.

Congratulations on getting a system that won't be adequate and can't be expanded.

TomG2 wrote:

Twistedlarch wrote:

I just used a coupon and got the HF panels for $142, I figured I'll try them out on our trip next week, if they don't do the job I'll return them.

Enjoy, learn, and let us know how things work out.

Will do, thanks!

Twistedlarch wrote:

I just used a coupon and got the HF panels for $142, I figured I'll try them out on our trip next week, if they don't do the job I'll return them.

Enjoy, learn, and let us know how things work out.

Not that it matters but two weeks ago they had the 100 watt kit for $148.99. On sale about once a month for that. I buy stuff from HF and other low cost places just to see how things work sometimes. I can visit the store, examine the product, and make my own decision. This kit could be an introduction for very little money. I doubt that anyone's "first kit" is their "last kit" anyway. Of course, I am not an expert. Keep the better deals coming instead of arguing with me. I am not the op.