TenOC
On the road -- Full time
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I am completely new to solar panels. I know almost nothing about them. We boondocks and dry camp about 50% of the time in our 5th wheel. We have 2 deep cycle lead acid batteries. When the batteries need recharging, we have a Champion 3100W Inverter Portable Generator that we plug the power cord from the RV into by the use of a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter.
I want to add a portable solar panel such as Harbor Freight Underbolt Solar100 Watt Solar Panel Briefcase
Harbor Freight 100 watt
Can I connect this solar panel directly to my battery with a alligator clips or do I need some type of controller to keep the panel from overcharging my batteries. I think the output of the solar panel is 14 to 22 volts..
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.
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Tom/Barb
Oak Harbor, Wa
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You will need some kind of controler there are several on the market.. victron .. is a good one.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Deleted
* This post was
edited 11/01/23 05:45pm by ScottG *
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Boomerweps
Hills of PA
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Tom/Barb wrote:You will need some kind of controler there are several on the market.. victron .. is a good one.
Used with Harbor Freight panels. Like buying a new F550 to pull an A-liner.
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SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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You mention you have 2 deep cycle batteries for your boondocking. Depending if their size, and whether they are 12v batteries or two 6v batteries in series, you likely have ~200-220AHs of battery capacity.
The first question is: Are those batteries still good? Or are they at their end of life? If they are old and at their end of life, then getting new batteries is your first step. You can have them tested at a local auto parts store for free (usually).
Regarding solar panels...On a good, sunny day, a decent 100w panel can provide ~20-35AH back into your battery bank. An inexpensive, foldable Harbor Freight solar panel may produce a fair amount LESS than this.
It is a good idea for you to first figure out approximately what your actual battery needs are before starting to add solar. For example, do you find that you can boondock with your existing batteries (starting fully charged) for 3-4 days before they are getting low? If that is the case, then maybe you only need 100-200w of solar to help you extend that time to 4-6 days. Or, do you wake up every morning and your batteries are close to empty? In that case, you might need 400-600w of solar panels to get them charged back up the next day.
Here is a good tip to save a LOT on adding solar...Buy used solar panels. As long as you test them with a volt/amp meter before buying, you will be able to buy 5-10yr old solar panels for $0 to $50 each, saving you 60-90% on your panels. Solar panels have no moving parts and can last a long time. For example, I bought/installed several 250w residential panels that only cost me $35 each and they work great. Depending on what part of the country you are in, solar panels can be found easily on craigslist or facebook marketplace.
To answer your specific question.... There are some "toy/junk" solar panels that are very low power that you could probably hook up directly to your battery terminals. I've seen some 10-20w panels for this. They could possibly be useful for putting a very small trickle charge on your batteries for when in storage. That 100w Harbor Freight panel might be similar (it will show you on the packaging). But if that is the case, the entire setup will be very low power (basically junk) especially if you are thinking about using it for boondocking. The proper way to add/use solar is to get proper solar panels (new or used) and then hook them up to a solar charge controller (there are different types depending on the voltage of the solar panels) and then the output of that solar charge controller hooks up to your batteries. The solar charge controller will properly adjust its output voltage and charge your battery correctly (as opposed to a flimsy solar panel with alligator clips to go to your battery). If you hook up a solar panel's output directly to your batteries you could damage your batteries.
Good luck!
Chris
San Jose, CA
Own two 2015 Thor Majestic 28a Class C RVs
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CapnCampn
Idaho
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Regarding that HF 100W briefcase, I see nothing wrong with it other than the price per watt. I haven't looked at briefcase type panels much, so maybe the price isn't too bad either - you do pay for that form factor.
You will need a separate controller to protect your batteries at this wattage, you can get super cheap PWM controllers off Amazon or Ebay that will work just fine with it. I wouldn't direct connect anything over maybe 20 watts.
As SJ-Chris says, you can find panels much cheaper -for example, this one is $120, includes a cheap controller, wires and mounting brackets and will ship to Lowes and maybe your home for free.
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Further searching & the used market could likely save more, but that one ain't too bad.
I disagree that HF panels are junk - in general, panels are panels and 100W is 100W.
SJ-Chris is correct in that you should take a look at how much power you need before purchasing: 100W may be perfect, or leave you frustrated with lack of performance. There are lots of threads on here (and people to opine ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") )about how to do a power audit and estimate your needs.
Good luck!
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TechWriter
Part-Timing Again
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TenOC wrote:I want to add a portable solar panel such as Harbor Freight Underbolt Solar100 Watt Solar Panel Briefcase
Harbor Freight 100 watt
For $10 more you get a Charge Controller (which you must have): Thunderbolt Solar
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi TenOC,
You can use minimal solar of about 15 watts per 100 amp-hours with no controller. Of course that is only good for maintenance between trips.
I'd recommend over sizing the charge controller. That way it is quite cheap to add more panels.
This series of articles may help:
https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/
Make your own folding panels hinges and metal screws are cheap.
May I suggest adding a dc to DC charger? Mine works like a charm while I trundle down the road.
Welcome to the wonderful world or solar and free power!
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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An excellent component to add to your RV/TT is a battery monitor. There are very suitable ones for $20-50 that will give you some indication as to HOW your power gets used, what each device in your RV uses for power, and a whole host of other great things. There are also more expensive battery monitors that interface through your phone. Just depends how fancy you want to be.
Here's a link to a newbie solar install I did about 3 years ago. Lots of info, pics, steps. Was very inexpensive and it still is working great!
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30217540.cfm
WARNING: Solar is addictive...
Stay charged!
Chris
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bucky
Raleigh metro
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Another factor is where you like to camp.
State parks and Federal campsites love trees. Solar hates trees and shade.
If you like open fields go for it.
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