100W Portable kit on ebay

[Hilldweller]

I don't want to hijack this thread… but you guys seem a bit more knowledgable in this area than me.

My ArkPak has the 50amp Anderson connector.

I was wondering if it would work to use that connection to feed power to this 40amp power distributor: http://www.powerwerx.com/powerpole-power-distribution/rigrunner-4005.html

Then be able to attach my edgestar, a water pump, etc from there.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Brandon

It looks like a nice PDU ---- makes it easy. You'll need some of their plugs to attach to it.
I've used Blue Sea PDUs in the past and tend to prefer them for outdoors use. They just never seem to corrode.

Those of you using the Renogy suitcase:

Did you make any changes to the power controller?

I have been using all of the default settings.


Thanks again,

Brandon

I totally customized mine to my batteries. I think it's a good idea since it has so many options.
I didn't set the date/time or that nonsense since it gets unhooked most of the time. But once you change the settings, they stay changed until you change them again.

 

[hitek79]

I'm interested in hooking up 6 of these panels for 600 watts. What's a good charge controller for this amount of power? The Renogy control states it's only good to 450 watts.

 

[Hilldweller]

I'm interested in hooking up 6 of these panels for 600 watts. What's a good charge controller for this amount of power? The Renogy control states it's only good to 450 watts.

You're playing with big boys there.
Ping somebody like DWH. Or ask Renogy if they have a higher amperage controller they can build in for you.

 

[Corey]

Even though I have the 100 watt foldable one from Solar BLVD, I just bought one of these that were posted in this thread.
Same price of $269 either from the dealer, or from Amazon.
Not offered via Prime, so I will not have it in two days, but going through Amazon I did not have to sign up on the Renogy website.
The reviews at Amazon are very positive for this unit.
They do offer the smaller 60 watt one via Prime, but I wanted at least 100 watts.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HR8YNK6/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

Twenty two reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Foldab...UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=byRankDescending

This will go on camping trips and stay in the rig, and the Solar BLVD one will be for home use.

 

[toyotech]

Even though I have the 100 watt foldable one from Solar BLVD, I just bought one of these that were posted in this thread.
Same price of $269 either from the dealer, or from Amazon.
Not offered via Prime, so I will not have it in two days, but going through Amazon I did not have to sign up on the Renogy website.
The reviews at Amazon are very positive for this unit.
They do offer the smaller 60 watt one via Prime, but I wanted at least 100 watts.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HR8YNK6/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

Twenty two reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Foldab...UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=byRankDescending

This will go on camping trips and stay in the rig, and the Solar BLVD one will be for home use.

Could you update here on the two units. I have the 120 watt from solarblvd but like the controller on the Renogy. Maybe compare sizes between the two as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Corey]

Could you update here on the two units. I have the 120 watt from solarblvd but like the controller on the Renogy. Maybe compare sizes between the two as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Will do.
I went for this one too because it does have a much nicer charge controller.
Looks like it will land at my place on Tuesday, they already shipped it.

 

[rotti]

Will do.
I went for this one too because it does have a much nicer charge controller.
Looks like it will land at my place on Tuesday, they already shipped it.

Anymore updates on the Renogy 100w solar in a bag?
http://www.renogy-store.com/100W-Suitcase-p/kit-stcs100d.htm

Looks to be the best deal around.
I am about to order.....hopefully, I won't have to use my 360 HP generator anymore.

 

[Corey]

Sorry I did not get back yet.
Have not tested this one yet, but it sure feels better quality than the other 100 watt one I used before.
I would say with the better charge controller and that this one just seems to be a better all around unit, I would order it again if I had too.

 

[Overland_Brandon]

Anymore updates on the Renogy 100w solar in a bag?
http://www.renogy-store.com/100W-Suitcase-p/kit-stcs100d.htm

Looks to be the best deal around.
I am about to order.....hopefully, I won't have to use my 360 HP generator anymore.

Rotti,

What kind of info are you looking for?

I have used my Renogy every weekend for going on 7 weeks.

This is my first solar panel, so I am still wrapping my head around watts, amp and volts.

And, I wish someone here could explain the controller display so I know what I am looking at/for.

Otherwise, it is a solid build and seems to help keep my ArkPak charged at a pace to keep up with my EdgeStar FP430.

 

[Hilldweller]

Anymore updates on the Renogy 100w solar in a bag?
http://www.renogy-store.com/100W-Suitcase-p/kit-stcs100d.htm

Looks to be the best deal around.
I am about to order.....hopefully, I won't have to use my 360 HP generator anymore.

Mine works great.
I just ordered some custom cables to attach to the batteries full-time; I got 6-gauge wire with tinned ends and an Anderson plug with a dust-cap. I also ordered an 8 foot extension in 8 gauge with Andersons at both ends; never know when you might have to go longer to find sun.
BTW, the amperage drops much lower if any of the panel is covered. But you guys knew that already...

 

[rotti]

Care to share a link for your custom cable source?

 

[Hilldweller]

Care to share a link for your custom cable source?

I've ordered from these guys several times and they have various adapter cables for getting power pole connectors to other common connectors.... if you don't want to make your own.
http://www.powerwerx.com/adapter-cables/

They have a custom cable section: http://www.powerwerx.com/adapter-cables/design-build-your-own-custom-cable.asp
I was going to make my own but couldn't find one store around here that had everything in one spot. Easier to order...
Should be here any day and will be installed for Labor Day camping.

 

[dwh]

I'm interested in hooking up 6 of these panels for 600 watts. What's a good charge controller for this amount of power? The Renogy control states it's only good to 450 watts.

Sorry, never noticed this thread before - just getting caught up now.

Don't worry about a bigger controller - you can hook up multiple of those units to the same battery. It's like having 6 air compressors, each with its own pressure switch all hooked up to the same air tank. As long as the pressure in the tank is down, all compressors will be running. When the pressure (voltage) rises, they'll each shut off on their own.

I also wouldn't worry about upgrading to larger wire. 100w/11v=9a and #14 is more than adequate for 9 amps.

 

[dwh]

After doing some looking into about the charge controller which I think is a Ysmart tech cmp12 it seems it may be just for a lead acid battery which I have a Agm. I know on the sunsaver stuff you need to change between lead and agm on the controller depending on which battery it is charging. If this is correct can you ruin the Agm battery, any thoughts and finding would be great.

An AGM *is* a lead-acid battery. So is a GEL.

On the SunSaver (last time I looked), you change between AGM/FLA (flooded lead-acid) or GEL. AGMs and FLAs take basically the same charge routine, but a GEL has to use a slightly lower bulk stage voltage.

AGM is not GEL.

 

[dwh]

Im entirely new to this but I have a question.. If for some reason I manage to run the battery down on my Rubicon on a camping trip on a sunny day, in theory I can hook one of these panels up to the battery and let it charge back up. How long would that take? Can you run accessories at the same time that its "charging"? We like to listen to the radio and charge our phones and stuff while we're hanging out. Would this system slow down the discharging on the battery at the same time?

If you had a 90 amp*hour battery and a 9 amp solar panel, then it will take *at least* 10 hours. But batteries aren't 100% efficient, so you'll actually have to supply around 20% more amp*hours to get it full. And you won't get 10 hours of full good sun in one day, so a dead 90ah battery would take *at least* two days of good sun to fully recharge.

And yes, you can run loads at the same time, but if the loads exceed the 9a of the solar, then you'll be drawing the excess from the battery. If they loads are less than the solar, say the solar is 9a and you have 5a of loads, then you'll only have 4a going into the battery, which will double the number of days it'll take to recharge.