Renogy folding panels

[Lumpy]

How do you connect your folding panel? Do you use waterproof connectors that can easily be plugged in and unplugged?

I ran the cables from a controller inside the van out through the floor and put waterproof MC4 connectors on them. They tuck up on top of my electric step where I can easily pull them down to connect the solar panel.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Just set my 100w up in the windscreen ran cable out of drivers door under the engine bay connected the MPPT controller and then the battery. Should all stay nice and dry even though the MPPT is waterproof. Shown working immersed in water so a bit of rain won’t matter anyway.

Just to clarify, is your 100W panel outside or inside the windscreen?

If I was going out to the local shops or restaurant I might prefer to have it inside the windscreen.

 

[FrankNicklin]

Just to clarify, is your 100W panel outside or inside the windscreen?

If I was going out to the local shops or restaurant I might prefer to have it inside the windscreen.

Definitely inside. Would never leave outside unattended. It will compromise performance for sure but should be enough to keep battery topped up.

 

[L' Hobo]

Definitely inside. Would never leave outside unattended. It will compromise performance for sure but should be enough to keep battery topped up.

I know little of Solar but I do have a 100w folding panel with crocodile clip that can be connected directly to the battery terminals. (Cannot be use with Lithium according to the sticker, which okay as I have none)


When I draped it over the front seats last summer, the reading was low and someone said, that certain light rays will not penetrate the windscreen.
Is this correct?
PS. The reading was high when placed outside, both times in full sun?
PPS. The controller is attached at the back of the panel.

 

[Nirvanauk]

This may be a daft question. I have a 100w panel on the roof, can I just run the cable from the folding panel to my existing MPPT solar controller and connect it there?

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[jumar]

How do you connect your folding panel? Do you use waterproof connectors that can easily be plugged in and unplugged?

Anderson connectors, I have a short lead from panel that connects to 5 metre Solar cable..this connects to the short lead permanently fixed to mppt inside van..I put the cable through the window...
I don't worry too much about being waterproof, as I wouldn't have panel out in the rain...

 

[Vansflyer]

This may be a daft question. I have a 100w panel on the roof, can I just run the cable from the folding panel to my existing MPPT solar controller and connect it there?

Not a daft question. The voltages of the panels need to be the same or very close to use the same controller, about .5v max difference I think but could be wrong. As it happens our roof top ones and Ecolflow panel voltages do match so I have connected them both to the same Victron MPPT.
The cables for the folding panel and from the MPPT have MC4 connections so I just feed it out of a locker where the seal has a gap and close the locker, then plug in to the MC4 connections. I have two extension cables if the panel needs to be on the other side of the van.