Rockpals 300w experiences for basic charging needs

[Deleted member 215671]

So i am a amateur at the very best when it comes to onboard solar/power but I believe I did more research than most so I have a basic understanding of the necessary items:

Basic set up: Solar panel to solar charger with fuses, then solar charger to battery and battery to inverter then your items (a few more appropriately size fuses, rates cables etc) i.e. phone, laptop, lights whatnot. But I found that piecing them together to be $$$$
I.e. over $700 for a quality 100w panel, 100amp hr deep cycle battery, and a decent pure sinewave inverter. So I started looking into the solar generators which I THOUGHT were $$$ but in the end for some more basic power needs they actually save money for some depending.

I have narrowed my choice down to a Rockpals 300w for about $249 and a HQST 100w mono-panel with standard mc4 connector/cables. it comes with a regular 110 av cable and 12v car adapter too all for Less than $400. However everyone seems to use the Jackery, Goalzero yetis and too be honest after multiple youtube vids on specs for input/output, true capacity, charge rate and stuff I truly feel im getting a better deal for the same quality just not the namebrand association. The yetis/jackerys are very slow to charge and don't last much longer at all but are $$$ more for barley any better of a product appears?

Has anyone used the rockpals for say more than a year and have any good/bads I should know? Doesn't seem many use them except those typical van-youtubers just click-bating people into watching their worthless videos.

my set up is truly basic... I would use it to charge two phones, a small 15in laptop, and power to small usb leds. Its more than I need but allows me some wiggle room if I ever win the lottery and get those fancy compressor driven camping refrigerators etc. Its not a total necessity but I do plan on doing some longer than weekend camping and it would be nice to not have to start a diesel and switch to high idle if I ever forget to charge the gps and my wife is still very new to camping so id like to try and help with some luxury items since she puts up with a lot of my outdoor,shooting,camping, and truck hobbies.

Just looking for some more long-term reviews?

 

[Deleted member 215671]

Also to clarify I know these little portable inverter/battery combos are expensive and truly not a power generator but they come with everything all in a single light, user friendly package just not a good long life like a better battery. But i have been pricing out combos of either single higher amp/hr deep cycle batteries or a pair of 6v gold cart battiers ran in series or parelle (i forget honestly lol) all super heavy 60lb plus per battery it seems on the average, all the wire, cables, fuse box, and labor involved then the charge controller for the solar panel, then a good quality minimum 100w hqst or renogy mono material panel, then a deceont 600w pure sinewave inverter and its just very $$$ and heavy for my needs. Im not super interested in the jackery or goal zero yeti as honestly they have their downfalls not just the price.

Any user experiences from the rockpals? or am i really just tech hungry and need to do a better job of charging items while driving to/from locations hahaha.

 

[rayra]

...

Any user experiences from the rockpals? or am i really just tech hungry and need to do a better job of charging items while driving to/from locations hahaha.

If that's all you need, then all you need is a <$30 12v/300W inverter-charger.

As for the rest, you'll have to find another OCD/BrandWarz guy to talk it over with. When someone 'new' comes in seemingly asking questions but really pushing a given brand, it's hard to see it as anything but a commercial for a given product. Or your mind being made up already.


/if you happen to find a ~100W rigid panel that's less than 44" on the long axis, let me know

 

[Deleted member 215671]

Thanks for the response. Im not super brand driven as everything has their pros and cons and as mentioned above i have never used any but they seem like a great all in one package with the as expected higher price tag for convenience. Im not opposed to Jackery, Goal Zero, Sauoki, Expertpower, Stanley, or the blueti from my research but was just looking for specific experience with the model I felt made sense to me. I have a 12v inverter for the auxillary 12v adapter in the back seat but they are single outlet, and nothing is wired to the back where i sleep. Also the factory dual battery set up is necessary for the truck just to start so I was a little nervous relying on myself to turn stuff off or forgot to disconnect and having to hike out. Whether its warm or cold the glow plug relay does not turn on the alternator for the first couple minutes so most of the dual battery is just to crank the engine over first time etc. Im not brand loyal but what I have I know about (with regards to the truck at least ) to save money on repairs/maintenance etc. Hence why I thought it would be fun to try these little portable mini battery boxes with the inverter and ports already built in but I watched some lengthy videos talking about charge rate, real world capacity, and other features and just wanted any info about the rockpals.

ps @rayra the HQST 100wa solid mono panel is only roughly 36 on the long axis Weight: 14.3lbs. Dimension: 35.6x25.9x1.18in.

Amazon.com : HQST 100 Watt Monocrystalline 12V Solar Panel : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : HQST 100 Watt Monocrystalline 12V Solar Panel : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

from some lengthy reviews it appears on par with the more popular renogy panels.

 

[Deleted member 215671]

If that's all you need, then all you need is a <$30 12v/300W inverter-charger.

As for the rest, you'll have to find another OCD/BrandWarz guy to talk it over with. When someone 'new' comes in seemingly asking questions but really pushing a given brand, it's hard to see it as anything but a commercial for a given product. Or your mind being made up already.


/if you happen to find a ~100W rigid panel that's less than 44" on the long axis, let me know

PS im a powerstroke guy and have been and avid/active member of powerstroke.org since 2012 but I have been using the truck more and more for camping. USed to just tow work equipment and stuff for houses etc. Im not use to all these new modern creature comforts but figured you guys would have all sorts of experience with some of camping tools. I normally have my sleeping pad, couple gallons of water, little propane stove, basic supplies and baby wipes, shovel etc but thought here would be a good place to learn about more modern stuff and learn from you guys so if I appear to push any brands I do apologize. All very new to camping with power but the wife likes it and its fun to experiment with etc.