Folding portable solar panel recommendations

[Two on Tour]

Didn’t you try to slap me with your first comment, not very helpful was it

You don't change do you, thought that I was making a mistake trying to help, but be so daft again.

 

[Al n Val]

My tactic for winter travels is that I've got an oversized lithium battery that'll last me several days, even if there's no sunshine. It's rare that I stay at a single location for more than a few days. So when I move, the B2B should recover at his chunk of what I've lost. And every 7-10 days, I stop at a site with full facilities to do things like cloths washing. There I'll top off the battery and start the cycle again. It seemed like a losing battle to try to capture enough sun when some days you'll get pretty much nothing.

that’s more or less what we’ve been doing this trip, we can get away with 4/5 days with having 560ah on tap but i’m always looking to improve things if I can, I probably don’t need the extra solar stuff but it’s just nice to have a plan B

 

[Al n Val]

You don't change do you, thought that I was making a mistake trying to help, but be so daft again.

Well didn’t you?

How is your post trying to help me btw?posting a flippant comment to someone you’ve never met is pointless and added no supporting advice to the discussion

end of our conversation hopefully

I did thank you for your first post which provided the Amazon link and said it was on my list

You came back with

“it’s probably not cheap enough”

Why?

 

[Two on Tour]

Well didn’t you?

How is your post trying to help me btw?posting a flippant comment to someone you’ve never met is pointless and added no supporting advice to the discussion

end of our conversation hopefully

Don't worry as I will not be seeing any more of your conversations from now on.

 

[Holly's mum]

Well didn’t you?

How is your post trying to help me btw?posting a flippant comment to someone you’ve never met is pointless and added no supporting advice to the discussion

end of our conversation hopefully

You obviously missed post #15 with the link to a folding panel, which is what you had asked for?

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[Guigsy]

that’s more or less what we’ve been doing this trip, we can get away with 4/5 days with having 560ah on tap but i’m always looking to improve things if I can, I probably don’t need the extra solar stuff but it’s just nice to have a plan B

Plan Bs add weight, complexity and cost. I decided that one wasn't worth it. If you get a few days of crappy weather, it doesn't matter how much panel you've got, you'll still not maintain charge until the weather improves. The hardest thing for me was getting over the mentality that the battery needs to be full all the time.

 

[Al n Val]

You obviously missed post #15 with the link to a folding panel, which is what you had asked for?

I thanked him but the posts have been removed now anyway

 

[Al n Val]

Plan Bs add weight, complexity and cost. I decided that one wasn't worth it. If you get a few days of crappy weather, it doesn't matter how much panel you've got, you'll still not maintain charge until the weather improves. The hardest thing for me was getting over the mentality that the battery needs to be full all the time.

That’s very true my friend, I suppose having too much time on my hands doesn’t help either

 

[RogerIvy]

A somewhat old thread, but what panel did you settle on?

Someone asked us about panels (he does festivals) and his roof is already full - so we suggested a suitcase panel. We install loads of rigid panels but every now and then we’re asked about suitcase panels and we usually recommend Renogy.

This is the panel we’re thinking of advising him to buy due to his particular circumstances:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078W4HY9T/?tag=mhf04-21

Our “thinking” is based on these factors:

• Must be “cheap-ish” as theft very difficult to overcome
• This unit has panel and controller at an affordable price
• Good reviews
• We‘d Prefer to use a Victron MPPT 75/15 but it won’t work with many panels because the panel voltage needs to be 5v higher than battery voltage. So even 18v is too low. His van has other Victron kit. So we need to use the controller that comes with the kit (or another one)
• Possibility of two suitcases in series to make up 200w and to use Victron MPPT
• Plugging in and out must be real easy, we’d mount the controller inside with an external plug

 

[FrankNicklin]

I bought 100w VoltSet with MPPT controller. Was reduced to £115 I think at one point. Amazon.

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[Al n Val]

A somewhat old thread, but what panel did you settle on?

Someone asked us about panels (he does festivals) and his roof is already full - so we suggested a suitcase panel. We install loads of rigid panels but every now and then we’re asked about suitcase panels and we usually recommend Renogy.

This is the panel we’re thinking of advising him to buy due to his particular circumstances:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078W4HY9T/?tag=mhf04-21

Our “thinking” is based on these factors:

• Must be “cheap-ish” as theft very difficult to overcome
• This unit has panel and controller at an affordable price
• Good reviews
• We‘d Prefer to use a Victron MPPT 75/15 but it won’t work with many panels because the panel voltage needs to be 5v higher than battery voltage. So even 18v is too low. His van has other Victron kit. So we need to use the controller that comes with the kit (or another one)
• Possibility of two suitcases in series to make up 200w and to use Victron MPPT
• Plugging in and out must be real easy, we’d mount the controller inside with an external plug

RogerIvy

hi Roger

is this aimed at me, if so i’ve got a Renogy 200w folding panel like this one

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.

uk.renogy.com

When I finally get to you to fit my Victon 50a Buckboost B2B and 500a shunt i’m hoping you have time to install some external MC4 plugs as well

possibly do away with the Renogy controller and fit a Victron Smart 75/15 or whatever you recommend, I prefer to use Victton if i’m honest to keep it all the same as i’ve already got a 100/30 onboard

Al

 

[RogerIvy]

RogerIvy

hi Roger

is this aimed at me, if so i’ve got a Renogy 200w folding panel like this one

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.

uk.renogy.com

When I finally get to you to fit my Victon 50a Buckboost B2B and 500a shunt i’m hoping you have time to install some external MC4 plugs as well

possibly do away with the Renogy controller and fit a Victron Smart 75/15 or whatever you recommend, I prefer to use Victton if i’m honest to keep it all the same as i’ve already got a 100/30 onboard

Al

Thanks Al, that is a good option as it’s 20v so good for a 75/15. It is probably bigger than what he wanted, but that should keep his compressor fridge going at festivals.

We‘ll be seeing you later

 

[jumar]

Currently recharging two eBikes and topping up our Roamer Lithium....tilting rooftop and freestanding panels bringing in 15 amp more or less...

 

[Reevsie]

RogerIvy

hi Roger

is this aimed at me, if so i’ve got a Renogy 200w folding panel like this one

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.

uk.renogy.com

When I finally get to you to fit my Victon 50a Buckboost B2B and 500a shunt i’m hoping you have time to install some external MC4 plugs as well

possibly do away with the Renogy controller and fit a Victron Smart 75/15 or whatever you recommend, I prefer to use Victton if i’m honest to keep it all the same as i’ve already got a 100/30 onboard

Al

I know you have already bought it, But you sound like myself. Never have enough kit and always want more.

I recently got a few Eco Flow bits and bobs. 400W folding solar panel and Ecoflow Delta 2 and spare battery. (Just in case scenario) I actually tried refurbished items and they are as good as new. But saved over £800 on the refurbished items as opposed to getting them new.

A am a massive user of electric and a 11g gas bottle lasts me 9 months. The Delta 2 used for cooking a lot and saves depleting your leisure battery. Also can put is next to the solar panel when charging. So if the solar panel needs to be 50ft from my Motorhome for the best charge, then no railing wires.

 

[Al n Val]

RogerIvy

Raul

hi Roger & Raul ( and anyone else )

in a previous post I noticed you mentioned and liked the JBD app which i’ve downloaded, looking at the demo its appears to be able the balance the cells if you pay for the pro version at £7.99 which I have done.

I’m now able to toggle the balancing on/off but for the life on me I can’t seem to get it to show that it’s balancing the batteries as the demo shows

btw fyi i’ve got 2 x 280ah Fogstar Drift batteries


Any ideas?

cheers

Al

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[RogerIvy]

Hi Al

Are these images from the demo or your batteries?

 

[Al n Val]

Hi Al

Are these images from the demo or your batteries?

both Roger

the top one says Demo and the bottom one is my No.1 battery

Al

 

[RogerIvy]

The first point I'd make is that your delta is pretty low (0.004v) and I'm guessing balancing only kicks in when it's 0.01?

Maybe if the delta increases you'll see balancing.
(not that you really want it to increase!)

 

[Al n Val]

The first point I'd make is that your delta is pretty low (0.004v) and I'm guessing balancing only kicks in when it's 0.01?

Maybe if the delta increases you'll see balancing.
(not that you really want it to increase!)

ah! that makes sense as the demo image Delta is 0.897 so balancing is needed

I hadn’t noticed that Roger tbh so thank you

everyday’s a school day