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Solar installation

Bags4266
Explorer
Explorer
I’m looking into a small solar setup up on my bumper pull. I was wondering why would I want to have (2) 100 watt panels over (1) 200 watt panel. The 200 watt panel takes up less foot print than two 100 watt panels
10 REPLIES 10

StirCrazy
Navigator
Navigator
StirCrazy wrote:
Bags4266 wrote:
I’m looking into a small solar setup up on my bumper pull. I was wondering why would I want to have (2) 100 watt panels over (1) 200 watt panel. The 200 watt panel takes up less foot print than two 100 watt panels


you wouldnt. in fact why wouldnt you go a 350 watt pannel. what ever you have the room for. just see what the size of the pannel is and then add a inch to each side and get up there and see if it will fit. if it wont then you have to look at a smaller one. if you get a newer larger 24V split cell pannel with a MPPT controler they are more efficient than the older smaller pannels

Steve


what I actualy did was make some cutouts from old cardboard of the size I wanted to go with and went up there and moved them around to see what options I had. I went with one 325 watt on my camper and have room for 1 more if I decide to throw another on there.

Steve
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
Bags4266 wrote:
I’m looking into a small solar setup up on my bumper pull. I was wondering why would I want to have (2) 100 watt panels over (1) 200 watt panel. The 200 watt panel takes up less foot print than two 100 watt panels


You answered your own question. (see bold text)

If the 200 watt fits, that's what I'd do.

When I installed solar on my roof back in 2011, I was originally going to do 200 watts. I had it done at a shop. The 150 watt panels made better use of the roof space so I installed two 150s instead.

My Solar installation
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator

KD4UPL
Explorer
Explorer
What's with the little 100 watt and 200 watt panels? Get a 300 - 330 watt panel. Do you have a local electrical supply house? Some of the big name electrical suppliers are carrying solar panels now. Or, seek out a local residential solar installer who may have a pallet or two of panels in his warehouse.

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
All else being equal...it doesn't matter.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

12thgenusa
Explorer
Explorer
Kits are not usually the best value. Takes a little more effort but buying individual pieces that fit exactly what you need is a better way to go.


2007 Tundra DC 4X4 5.7, Alcan custom rear springs, 2009 Cougar 245RKS, 370 watts ET solar, Victron BMV-712, Victron SmartSolar 100/30, 200AH LiP04 bank, ProWatt 2000.

Bags4266
Explorer
Explorer
Yes I do want to go to, 2 200 watt panels. . That’s 400 total. Only two panels way less roof space taken up than 4 100s. But most companies only offer kits in 100watt panels.

StirCrazy
Navigator
Navigator
Bags4266 wrote:
I’m looking into a small solar setup up on my bumper pull. I was wondering why would I want to have (2) 100 watt panels over (1) 200 watt panel. The 200 watt panel takes up less foot print than two 100 watt panels


you wouldnt. in fact why wouldnt you go a 350 watt pannel. what ever you have the room for. just see what the size of the pannel is and then add a inch to each side and get up there and see if it will fit. if it wont then you have to look at a smaller one. if you get a newer larger 24V split cell pannel with a MPPT controler they are more efficient than the older smaller pannels

Steve
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Depends on whether you want to add more later.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

Old_Days
Explorer II
Explorer II
I went with a 170 watt panel and a 100 watt panel because they fit where I wanted them. So measure your roof carefully.

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
For ease in placement?
The two will probably be easier to find good places to put them. Just my guess as I do not have any.:)
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine