Folding Solar

[Rogerwyn]

Looks OK, at that price worth a punt would need a controller as well

 

[jumar]

I have noticed a 200w folding solar for only £86.99. it's a Panana 200w available on Amazon (Sorry, can't do links)
It seems very much the same as all the others on the market but very much cheaper!
Weighing just 3.8kg, folded size 23 x 24in x 1in it would fit into my small campervan.
Has anyone out there any knowledge of this panel?

I paid double that for my 200w...and it didn't come with a controller...

 

[Rogerwyn]

I paid double that for my 200w...and it didn't come with a controller...

I think you would need a controller as well but still a good price.

 

[jumar]

I think you would need a controller as well but still a good price.

Many folding panels are sold to charge Power packs like Bluetti....these have a built in MPPT controller.... however mine came with a selection of charging cables...one enabled direct connection to a battery via Crocodile Clips.... I've put this to one side..

 

[Kannon Fodda]

The originally linked one - NGTeco 200W - is again currently on an Amazon offer for half price. Mine has worked well, and as you can point at sun, dramatically outperforms the flat roof panel at this time of year. It is also proving weather resistant, but being a large size when folded out if wind gets behind it can blow over so some pegging can be beneficial to hold down.

They don't have an inbuilt solar controller, intended to plug direct to these portable solar power generator power bank things that would have a controller inbuilt. I use my panel connected to a Victron MPPT using the Anderson 30 type connectors (a bit of a *** to wire up as the crimps need to be perfectly round), with wire just dangled out of the rear barn doors of the PVC. It has achieved the 200W rating a number of times.

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[MichaelT]

The originally linked one - NGTeco 200W - is again currently on an Amazon offer for half price. Mine has worked well, and as you can point at sun, dramatically outperforms the flat roof panel at this time of year. It is also proving weather resistant, but being a large size when folded out if wind gets behind it can blow over so some pegging can be beneficial to hold down.

They don't have an inbuilt solar controller intended to plug direct to these portable solar power generator power bank things that would have a controller inbuilt. I use my panel connected to a Victron MPPT using the Anderson 30 type connectors (a bit of a *** to wire up as the crimps need to be perfectly round), with wire just dangled out of the rear barn doors of the PVC. It has achieved the 200W rating a number of times.

Kannon Fodda What size victron controller and cables did you use please?

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Kannon Fodda What size victron controller and cables did you use please?

Am using a 75/15 Victron smartsolar. That is just OK for the 200W on a lithium given that float is around 13.6V which equates to 14.7Amp, and for a charge the voltage would be higher reducing the amperage.

Wire between panel and controller - 5m extension - was 12awg (4mm2). A bit thin for this overall length as an extension lead to the panel, so I don't use unless I need to get the panel around the far side of the van, mostly relying on the 3m lead pre-wired. But the panel pre-wiring is only 14 awg (2.5mm2) which reduces to 16awg at the splitter, so I figured my extension lead wasn't going to be the limiting factor. Controller to battery is short, 1.5m so the 12awg again sufficed. If the high resistance overall is reducing the input charge slightly so be it after all the 200W panel is a bonus addition for those more challenging off grid periods.

 

[MichaelT]

Am using a 75/15 Victron smartsolar. That is just OK for the 200W on a lithium given that float is around 13.6V which equates to 14.7Amp, and for a charge the voltage would be higher reducing the amperage.

Wire between panel and controller - 5m extension - was 12awg (4mm2). A bit thin for this overall length as an extension lead to the panel, so I don't use unless I need to get the panel around the far side of the van, mostly relying on the 3m lead pre-wired. But the panel pre-wiring is only 14 awg (2.5mm2) which reduces to 16awg at the splitter, so I figured my extension lead wasn't going to be the limiting factor. Controller to battery is short, 1.5m so the 12awg again sufficed. If the high resistance overall is reducing the input charge slightly so be it after all the 200W panel is a bonus addition for those more challenging off grid periods.

Thanks could you remove the lead that comes with it and replace do you think?

I've ordered one as a good price.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Thanks could you remove the lead that comes with it and replace do you think?

I've ordered one as a good price.

Possibly. The connection into the solar panel itself is on a moulded box that also has the inbuilt USB outlets and is within a zipped pocket. I suspect within all that it will be soldered stuff. For the couple of Ah I might be losing through the higher resistance there was a point at which any further investigation was outweighed by a strong sense of CBA

If I were to be bothered then I would have been using at least 6mm2 (10awg) cables to allow less resistance overall for an extended wire length.

 

[MichaelT]

Possibly. The connection into the solar panel itself is on a moulded box that also has the inbuilt USB outlets and is within a zipped pocket. I suspect within all that it will be soldered stuff. For the couple of Ah I might be losing through the higher resistance there was a point at which any further investigation was outweighed by a strong sense of CBA

If I were to be bothered then I would have been using at least 6mm2 (10awg) cables to allow less resistance overall for an extended wire length.

CBA?

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[Kannon Fodda]

CBA?

Can't Be Arsed

 

[Langtoftlad]

My 300w Dokio portable panel* came with all manner of leads... and a cheapo 20a PWM** plugin controller for attaching to battery.
Research has lead me to discover it's possible to buy a budget mppt controller for £60 odd with panel connectors.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CP6PF5V3/?tag=mhf04-21
If haven't bought it yet because I haven't even tried the packaged controller.
Will that performance be adequate? I know MPPT is 'better' but how much better ie VFM?

*Primarily bought to top up my Anker 757 Powerbank
** Assuming PWM as there's no labelling to indicate

 

[MichaelT]

My 300w Dokio portable panel* came with all manner of leads... and a cheapo 20a PWM** plugin controller for attaching to battery.
Research has lead me to discover it's possible to buy a budget mppt controller for £60 odd with panel connectors.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CP6PF5V3/?tag=mhf04-21
If haven't bought it yet because I haven't even tried the packaged controller.
Will that performance be adequate? I know MPPT is 'better' but how much better ie VFM?

*Primarily bought to top up my Anker 757 Powerbank
** Assuming PWM as there's no labelling to indicate

I'd get a victron from off grid power you get 10% discount.

 

[spigot]

I paid double that for my 200w...and it didn't come with a controller...

This Panana panel doesn't come with a controller but I would only use it to charge my EcoFlow Delta 2

 

[Langtoftlad]

I'd get a victron from off grid power you get 10% discount.

Why?

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[L' Hobo]

Many folding panels are sold to charge Power packs like Bluetti....these have a built in MPPT controller.... however mine came with a selection of charging cables...one enabled direct connection to a battery via Crocodile Clips.... I've put this to one side..

Both my folding panels have built in controllers and the one that can ONLY charge non lithium batteries has a pair of crocodile clips which I've used to charge my batteries on my X250 Fiat via the under bonnet slave contacts with a number of times, why have you put the crocodile clips to one side?

 

[jumar]

Both my folding panels have built in controllers and the one that can ONLY charge non lithium batteries has a pair of crocodile clips which I've used to charge my batteries on my X250 Fiat via the under bonnet slave contacts with a number of times, why have you put the crocodile clips to one side?

My panel didn't have a built in controller fitted...so I didn't want to connect the panel direct to any battery...

 

[MichaelT]

Why?

Better quality and probably cheaper.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Better quality and probably cheaper.

...than what I already have?


Simply put - it's not worth investing a wallet full of cash to get a better label for something that is used so infrequently.
An Audi is a better label than a Skoda

 

[MichaelT]

...than what I already have?


Simply put - it's not worth investing a wallet full of cash to get a better label for something that is used so infrequently.
An Audi is a better label than a Skoda

But you use solar everyday?

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[spigot]

Hadn't noticed till now the Dokio one comes with what appears to be two folding, freestanding stands,

I am tempted to buy this Dokio 200w folding panel because of the separate metal kickstands although it twice the price of the Panana panel I originally had my eyes on.
I have seen folk having difficulty setting up the panels with the flimsy canvas stands on the back, especially in a slight wind & I believe these metal stands would be far more stable.
Your thoughts on this?...Please!

 

[MichaelT]

I am tempted to buy this Dokio 200w folding panel because of the separate metal kickstands although it twice the price of the Panana panel I originally had my eyes on.
I have seen folk having difficulty setting up the panels with the flimsy canvas stands on the back, especially in a slight wind & I believe these metal stands would be far more stable.
Your thoughts on this?...Please!

I've ordered the one Kannon Fodda has

 

[Richard n Ann]

I am tempted to buy this Dokio 200w folding panel because of the separate metal kickstands although it twice the price of the Panana panel I originally had my eyes on.
I have seen folk having difficulty setting up the panels with the flimsy canvas stands on the back, especially in a slight wind & I believe these metal stands would be far more stable.
Your thoughts on this?...Please!

My 100w Dokia is good, legs are adequate, they have wing nuts to lock them in position but the weight of the panel stops them moving

 

[ianto999]

Just bought a100w NG Teco from ebay.
Made them a £50

‘offer’ which was accepted so pretty happy to get for £60 total, in case anyone interested in similar deal. Works on windscreen or can be squeezed out of skylight to add more roof PV as well.
Feels good quality, like the magnets that keep it clipped together when closed and it has eyelets so that it can be attached with sucker cups etc. would prefer mc4 connector, but will make do with an adaptor.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

That's good value for a 100watt portable panel. I bought the 200w NG set which is double the size of yours but in retrospect 2 panels at 100w each would have been more versatile and easier to handle and a little cheaper
Mine was around £140.

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[Manic]

Just bought a100w NG Teco from ebay.
Made them a £50View attachment 946806View attachment 946806View attachment 946804View attachment 946803View attachment 946802 ‘offer’ which was accepted so pretty happy to get for £60 total, in case anyone interested in similar deal. Works on windscreen or can be squeezed out of skylight to add more roof PV as well.
Feels good quality, like the magnets that keep it clipped together when closed and it has eyelets so that it can be attached with sucker cups etc. would prefer mc4 connector, but will make do with an adaptor.

Hi, did this panel come with any form of regulator to be able to connect straight to leisure battery

 

[ianto999]

Just bought a100w NG Teco from ebay.
Made them a £50View attachment 946806View attachment 946806View attachment 946804View attachment 946803View attachment 946802 ‘offer’ which was accepted so pretty happy to get for £60 total, in case anyone interested in similar deal. Works on windscreen or can be squeezed out of skylight to add more roof PV as well.

Hi, did this panel come with any form of regulator to be able to connect straight to leisure battery

No - USB outputs from box on back, but otherwise just cables.

 

[ianto999]

That's good value for a 100watt portable panel. I bought the 200w NG set which is double the size of yours but in retrospect 2 panels at 100w each would have been more versatile and easier to handle and a little cheaper
Mine was around £140.

60p per W seemed good value, and cheap enough to risk. How is the 200w holding up?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

60p per W seemed good value, and cheap enough to risk. How is the 200w holding up?

It's been OK. No issues. Kept 2 back up lithiums fully charged. I made up a lead with xt60 connections to mate up to the panel connections.
It's too big for putting over the front window but we added tapes with kador strips so we can put it on the awning rail.but just had it on the ground to date. We tether it to a dog cable/ wire pad locked to the van as an anti theft deterent.

 

[Al n Val]

Leave the voltage stabilise/controller thingy on the OP linked folder unit in place. Dont try and disconnect it. It's effectively sewn in / moulded to the panel unit. It includes the USB ports which you can ignore.

Out of the stabiliser comes the thick 14awg lead, about 3m long. That goes into a moulded splitter that has 4 16awg cable short leads ending in either pin plugs for connection to specific powerpack batteries that have integral controllers, an XT60 socket or the Anderson Powerpole 30A connectors.

For motorhomes make up a two core lead Awg 14 or thicker with one end having the 30A Anderson Powerpole and other end to the solar mppt controller. In turn connect mppt to battery.

hi Kannon Fodda
we met at Drax earlier this year so hope your keeping well.

I’ve just received some of these 200w panels, they look quite well made so keen to get them used. With regards to connecting to my batteries i’ve got a flying lead coming from the Victron 75/15 smart controller into an outer locker. This lead has a female Anderson connected on the end.

Am I correct in thinking the flying lead you mention with the moulded splitter, can I just snip off one of the pin connectors and make the cable end off into the male Anderson connector then push both together to supply the Victron?

i’m tempted just to snip off the whole moulded splitter and go straight to the Anderson connector but then I lose options of connections to other things.

thanks for any help offered and hopefully see you again at Drax next year

cheers

Al

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