Portable suitcase solar panels

[ekirkland]

I looking at getting a 100 to 130 W suitcase solar panel top off dual 12v batteries while dry camping and have some questions:

1. do you connect to the 7-pin trailer cable or attach wires directly to battery with SAE or other terminals?

2. if attaching directly to the battery, do you just connect to one battery or both?

3. get one with a 10 Amp voltage controller or go with 20 Amp?

4. looking at Renogy, what is the difference between the regular Monocrystalline or Eclipse?

Thanks!

[pnichols]

Gulfcoast wrote:
I'm simply not drilling holes in my roof to install flat panels ever. I may go with a 200-watt folding panel or might have to keep the reliable Champion inverter.

Our motorhome has a single piece fiberglass roof and several years ago I researched ways to mount hard solar panels up there.

Back then, there were adhesives (I believe made by 3M) strong and durable enough to glue hard panel mounting brackets to smooth surface RV roof materials such as fiberglass and aluminum. I think they were from the same family of adhesives as those used to glue the windows onto their backing frames on the outside of commercial buildings.

I agree on not wanting any more holes in our RV roof than are already there!

[ekirkland]

Yes, meant to write WATT instead of amp.

[BFL13]

Gulfcoast wrote:
I'm simply not drilling holes in my roof to install flat panels ever. I may go with a 200-watt folding panel or might have to keep the reliable Champion inverter.

You will want the generator anyway. The sun does not shine every day 🙂

[Bobbo]

I have an appointment at the Airstream factory this May to get 4 panels installed on the roof. I will get 100 watt panels if they will fit, otherwise I will get 80 watt panels. I am getting the mothership to do the work. Portable panels are still under consideration, after we see how well this installation does.

[Gulfcoast]

I'm simply not drilling holes in my roof to install flat panels ever. I may go with a 200-watt folding panel or might have to keep the reliable Champion inverter.

[RickLight]

Mine is an Accu Power 120W, flexible and light weight!

It came with a 10A cheapy charger which I mounted in my forward compartment with my batteries. All the wiring is set to simply plug in the 3 fold panel.

Note that large panels can be quite awkward to handle. I've also added a steel cable along my wires to lock the panels to the trailer. It can be cut, but should slow most thieves.

We may add fixed panels later and have some of each type.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I get 7 amps of charging in leafy shade from 256 watts of panels at solar noon.

freetime58 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Striking the panels and setting them up is annoying.

A fixed installation means that the battery bank will be maintained between trips.

Park under trees in the shade for a few days and those fixed panels will let you down! I love the flexibility of my Renogy suitcase, 100 amp seems plenty to keep two group 31 AGM batteries topped up.

[wa8yxm]

You said 100 amp and 200 amp. I think you mean watt not amp

100 amp is about 8 amps peak 4 amps reality 200 2x that and what I'd suggest

[freetime58]

pianotuna wrote:
Striking the panels and setting them up is annoying.

A fixed installation means that the battery bank will be maintained between trips.

Park under trees in the shade for a few days and those fixed panels will let you down! I love the flexibility of my Renogy suitcase, 100 amp seems plenty to keep two group 31 AGM batteries topped up.

[Devocamper]

Fixed panels are good out in the open but the suitcase setup lets you find the sun if your parked under trees ! Both have benefits .

[Lwiddis]

Between 100 and 200 amps? You mean watts. Install 200 but wire for 400.

[Boon_Docker]

ekirkland wrote:
Thanks guys! I'm also debating between 100 amp and 200 amp. Mainly used for LCD lights, ceiling fan, furnace, water pump; we dry camp up to 5-6 days at a time before moving on.

I would go with 200 watts, that way you won't be disappointed.

[Boon_Docker]

ekirkland wrote:
Thanks guys! I'm also debating between 100 amp and 200 amp. Mainly used for LCD lights, ceiling fan, furnace, water pump; we dry camp up to 5-6 days at a time before moving on.

I would go with 200 watts then you won't be disappointed.

[2oldman]

ekirkland wrote:
debating between 100 amp and 200 amp.

watt