Portable Solar Panel

I just purchased one also. 100 watt Renogy suitcase from Amazon. $280. Works extremely well but the real test will be with my TC and compressor fridge!!

One of my reasons for getting another (portable) solar panel was to recharge my 100AH battery "more betta" during the day so that my compressor fridge didn't get too near the low voltage shutdown.

It came close to shutting down in the mornings before the horizontal roof-top solar panel started getting enough sun to charge the battery.

I've had several portable panels and just bought a new Renogy 120W recently. I like the ability to park where you want (in the shade) and still be able to generate energy, something you can't do when it's on the roof.

I just installed solar but I put it on the roof, depends on your use of course but we don't really stay put enough to make use of a portable one. I also like that I get some charging while driving.

2lazy4U wrote:
I've had several portable panels and just bought a new Renogy 120W recently. I like the ability to park where you want (in the shade) and still be able to generate energy, something you can't do when it's on the roof.

That's my thought as well.

2lazy4U wrote:
I've had several portable panels and just bought a new Renogy 120W recently. I like the ability to park where you want (in the shade) and still be able to generate energy, something you can't do when it's on the roof.

I have about 30% of my roof covered in solar panels, so basically 30% of it is always in the shade.

I hate the thought of portable solar panels, that will not work at all while driving down the road, and will not work until you unpack and plug them in. I can get about 100 AH from my system daily, and it is also great that it keeps the battery full while in storage.

Also many times the fixed panels are lower cost. This place has a 100 watt panel with aluminum frame for around $120. SunElec.com

Your CO detector, the propane detector and refrigerator (gas type) will get together and use about 35 amp hours daily. This is a little more than the 100 watt panel will make in a day.

Have fun dry camping!

Fred.

I thought semiportable might be good. Move from roof as needed.

Could always bungee cord it to the roof while traveling!!! But I all ready have 100 on the TC and 150 on the TT. This guy comes out from the shade and can follow the sun!! :C

Would having both roof and portable solar panels would be ideal?
A friend has the suitcase solar unit and he really likes it.

I purchased a Renogy 165(?) W panel a couple of years ago and have not used my generator since (even in Winter); It's a portable panel, so I have to re-direct it a couple of times per day to make sure it's receiving direct sunlight.

What really surprised me was that I was camping for 3 days in overcast skies and the panel was keeping the batteries above 12.6 V (but only just). I did switch the fridge off at night to preserve as much energy as possible. On the 4th day the sun came out and battery voltage went up to 13.7.

I was quite impressed with the solar panel and it's ability to produce electricity even when there is no sunshine.