Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

Great info Chris! Make your own folding panels to fold inward on the panels, make a back for them to protect wiring, rivet handle on, don't need a bag or separate enclosure for them then.

Forgot to say even cloudy days produce some electricity (not as much obviously) and angle control of the panels to keep them perpendicular as possible to center of solar energy emitted by the sun is always key. Even more so on overcast/cloudy days.

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

LIIIIIIKKKKE!!!!!!!! "thumbsup"


I'm currently just listening in, as I gather knowledge, but this is something I've been interested in for a while.

Thank you for all the info thus far Chris "thumbsup""thumbsup"

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

This is really great info!! Thanks chris!! I've been wondering and courious about this for a while!!

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

Its all about orientation, getting enough sun to make power. That’s the main reason I like portable panels. Just match them to your needs.
And you need a battery to store it and use it for powering whatever - charge phone or laptop, lipos, lights.
Overlanders will replace their starting battery with something like an Optima and use that for their storage. Having 2 so one is always charged is optimum.

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

Don't laugh, but the Harbor Freight 100 watt solar kit is very nice, especially for the price! It is made up of four 25 watt panels that can connect together, so you can use one, some or all. These are 18v amorphous panels (collects
in full or dim light) and come with a 10A controller that is easily programmable for your needs. The controller also includes outputs for 12v appliances, 5v USB outputs, and direct wire outputs.

Normally $189, often on sale for $149 - THAT is the time to buy!

For camping (or whatever), I created myself a solar generator - wired two small 12180 batteries (12v 18w) in serial to have 12v 36w inside a standard size plastic toolbox. Connected 1) on/off switch, 2) voltage display, 3) USB ports, 4) 750w AC inverter, and 5) attached a pos and neg lead to bolts on outside.

2 of the above solar panels (50w) will fully charge this generator in under 5 hrs of full sunlight. And that generator will run a 36lb. thrust trolling motor all day (fishing in canoe/john boat), or using the AC inverter will run a 12" 110v AC fan for 7 hrs. at night (summer camping comfort) at the same time I charge the cell on one USB port and have a USB light connected to other. Also VERY handy to have when the power goes out!

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

I've been very curious about those HF solar panels for a few years actually. Thanks for the feedback on those.

Often when we run gas boats, we take xmaxx's - Yeti XL's, crawlers, the boats (duh), slashes, and a BBQ and will start early around sun rise with the fisherman (yeah the 30cc Zenoahs piss the fish off I'm sure) and will stay until sunset charging big batteries throughout the day. I've often wondered if those panels would be enough to tender the cars deep cycle battery. I've always run Optima yellow top, but just ordered a Odyssey for my new car. "thumbsup"

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

The HF panels work fine, they're just small.
A standard panel you find on a house is some 250w or so, give or take. Some are much bigger, but this is an average.
Smaller panels in 12V (generally about 18-20v and then you run them thru a controller) are sized all over the board, small to large.
Choose size to suit your requirements.

If you can buy panels for about a buck a watt you're doing pretty well.

When I looked into it for the house you could buy them for about that, and the contractors were selling them for $4 to $10/watt. Or leasing them to you for their production. These were 'grid-tie' systems.

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

I used this one. It was very helpful last time we were camping with my family.

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

pics or it dident happen and stock pics off the internet dont count

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

no no i was talking about the woods even better would be a pic of that new ecto in the woods by the cabin

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

I wanna see it too!:ror:

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

2 to 3 weeks i dont think you will be here that long i could be wrong

your a special kinda troll

Re: Charging with Solar when camping
 

"A special kind of troll". :lmao: