Why I Like Portable Solar Panels

[bdosborn]

Our camper has 400 watts of solar panels on the roof. This is to cover the usage of the 12V compressor fridge and the movies we watch at night (plus I just like playing with PV stuff ). I had to use the generator last season on a camping trip when it was cloudy and overcast for 4 days in a row. My solution was to add more panels, figuring that even at a reduced output due to clouds, more panels would yield more battery charging.



The system really charges well, I'm back to 90% battery charge in a couple of hours of full sun. However, the panels don't do squat when camped in the shade. That's where the portable panel comes into play. We just spent a week camped in tall trees and the rooftop panels only saw sun an hour or so a day. The portable panel really helped:



Thinking about a PV panel for your teardrop? Go portable!

Bruce

[Jdhiker]

I bought the Harbor Freight potable 45 watt panel kit. Absolutely love it. I used it on Labor Day while using our "big " camper. And each morning the sun cam up I had them ready in position from the previous day. They started topping off the batteries ASAP. At night we used lights the water pump and a 12v fan in the vent all night. In no time full charge! Great kit for 140 bucks

[Corwin C]

Solar isn't for everybody. There are some real limitations to it and you need to understand those limitations or you will not be satisfied with a solar setup. There is some maintenance involved, you do need to be aware of the sun and shadows and where they are and when. But it does work absolutely silently and if you have an extensive setup, there's some real energy available in those rays if you want to go after them. Unfortunately, some believe that a little 12"x12" panel is going to run everything in the trailer all day and all night, and that just simply isn't the case.

I'm planning on some solar for my build and it will most likely be portable. I like parking in the shade and a portable will allow me to put the panel where the sunshine is.

[eamarquardt]

..................................Go portable!

Bruce

Portable is good but the 75# of 3/8" case hardened chain needed to keep the panels from "walking off" is a real PITA to lug around.



Cheers,

Gus

[bdosborn]

Portable is good but the 75# of 3/8" case hardened chain needed to keep the panels from "walking off" is a real PITA to lug around.

Where are you camping at? Seriously though, having the panel walk away is something to think about thought but so far we haven't had any issues. Panels are getting so cheap that it's not as much money at risk as it used to be.


Bruce

[eamarquardt]

Seriously though, having the panel walk away is something to think about thought but so far we haven't had any issues. My point exactly. I'd think twice about leaving them unattended. Panels are getting so cheap that it's not as much money at risk as it used to be. Not, IMHO, that cheap.

Cheers,

Gus

Bruce

[Rainier70]

I am curious about what size of wire you are using and how long your cord is. Thanks.

[bdosborn]

It's a #12 marine wire and it's about 20' long. Voltage drop is a little higher than I would like at 5.3% (I usually shoot for 3% or lower) but I need that much wire to chase the sun.

Bruce

[Shadow Catcher]

I took an inadvertent different approach, using high voltage panels, the 185W 66 cell attached to the roof and the Unisolar 144W thin film available to be rolled out (18' long). I have yet to use the Unisolar panel. One of the advantages to high voltage is that voltage drop is not a concern.
Eight days on the north shore of Lake Superior in a shaded camp site and 65% SOC at the end of eight days. My loads, the refrigerator TV recharging cell phones laptop etc. are similar.

[tony.latham]

Bruce:

How many watts on your portable panels? Where'd you get em? What are you using for a controller?

Thanks,

TL

[bdosborn]

It's an 80 watt panel. I bought that one but made a 60 watt panel folding panel. Here's how I did it:

DIY Portable Panel

I'd grab a couple of these off eBay to make an 80 watt panel:

40 watt solar Panel

I like Morningstar controllers, a Sunsaver 6 would work with a single 80 watt panel.

Bruce

[tony.latham]

Bruce:

Great site in the DIY folding panels. Are most rigid panels enclosed in an aluminum frame like the ones you used? I could really use narrower panels to fit in my tongue box but the eBay link does have my attention.

I'll be occasionally running a 3 amp fan (for an hour?) and a couple of LED lights off a group 27 marine battery. What's your thoughts on my (minimum) panel wattage needs –realizing more is better?

Thanks,

TL

[bdosborn]

60 watts would probably suite you just fine.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Sure, just build a battery pack like one of these:



Put it on a dolly and add a PV panel and charger...

Bruce

[JuneBug]

We got the Magna Cart folding dolly from Sears but it is also available on Amazon (of course). For a very lightweight dolly, it folds up smoothly and easily, has a compact footprint when folded up and seems to be of good quality for what it is. It would be a nice travel item for deploying panels and battery!
Plus, I really like the name.