Lets Talk Solar Panels !

[herewego]

OK so we ordered the Controller https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-P.../dp/B007KIUDBQ for our new pre wired Eagle 330RSTS
we have been looking at all the flexible 100 watt panels, to us they look the same, but the Go power panels are like 600 Bucks each, and some nice videos of people jumping on them, the price range can be from 150 Bucks on up , we would like some opinions please, we do not camp off grid much but we are looking for some land to build on at some point so would like the system for that ..... and besides its COOL . so give us your opinions on panels please ,,,,,,
Thanks Roy & Joyce

[Seann45]

Stay away from flexible panels. Talking to my solar pro (solar Mike at www.thesunworks.com ) he had to send all his flexible panels back as they failed in hot weather.. they suffer from a lack of air circulation being glued down.

[marbles]

I just added a 275W solar panel from my roof of my house to my RV. It make take some extra mounting brackets but the cost per watt is much lower. It runs less than $1 per watt.

[Subaru297]

I would Seann45's point and marbles. The flexible panels aren't as efficient as the traditional rigid panels and they are more expensive.

If you want a system capable of providing power while you are building a house it will need to be pretty robust. 100W or 200W of solar probably won't allow you to dry camp indefinitely. Do you have a residential refrigerator? If so that will use a fair bit of power.

For starters I would get a single residential panel of 265 watts and an MPPT controller not the GoPower PWM controller you got. I think you would be disappointed with that one in the long run as it only has preset charging parameters that won't be ideally suited for your specific batteries.

Something like this will be much better.
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-BlueS...&keywords=mppt

Or just get a Morningstar MPPT. I don't know of anything better.
TriStar MPPT - Morningstar Corporation

A single panel for now would probably be fine but leave room to add an additional one down the road if you need more power while building something.

Look for a solar dealer in your area to purchase panels from. The residential panels are the most cost effective and paired with a MPPT charge controller will give you the best performance. You will need panels in the 250-265 Watt range and 30 volts.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

Cheers

[BCx213]

I have a Go Power portable suitcase style 120 watt folding solar panel with the built in 10 amp controller. I bought the 30' extension cable as well so that I can move the panel around to keep it in the sun. Most of the site I dry camp on are shaded so I have to be able to capture for maximum charging. I back it up with my generator when the weather doesn't want cooperate (rain)

[jwmercer]

Hi all, after having installed a 600w system on my Eagle 321RSTS I would offer the following advice;

1. Think long and hard about your real needs, do a power audit.
2. Understand how you intend to use it in your style of RVing. We boondock a lot and wanted to power the entire 5th wheel as if we were hooked up to electrical services.
3. Don't cut corners on the install, if for example you want to power the entire RV from solar you will need to install an electrical sub panel, its the only safe way to do it.
4. Price panels by the watt and buy nothing without a solid warranty on both the physical construction and the electrical specs. Our panels are guaranteed to produce the amps / volts in the spec to within 1% for 10 years and the glass is warranted for 25.
5. Solar done right is not cheap, cheap solar is seldom right.

One final thought is to check your insurance coverage to ensure whatever you do won't void your insurance in case of electrical ��.

[dangerdave]

I have the GoPower folding 120W as well. They are pricey but I feel worth the money. Folds up nice into a carrying case. I also bought the extension cable. Charges my dual batteries up nicely.

[herewego]

Bump, keeps the info coming, Thanks

[Mustang65]

A lot of good info already...

JJ sums it up pretty good.

For additional reading, we have a RVing with SOLAR social group, check it out and join it. A lot of good information on SOLAR, types of SOLAR charge controllers, panels, kits,,,,,

Personally, stay away from the flexible panels, there is a post in the RVing with SOLAR section regarding them

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Cdash]

I bought a 200 watt Renogy starter kit. I use the two panels as portables. I upgraded to a controller that charges at higher rates that Trojan suggests. Was reasonably priced and works well for or needs. May do more eventually.

[herewego]

Mustang65 I will look into that thanks ,and it looks like no flex panels for us ...