davido
4 de mayo de 2022
Well built, self-contained portable solar solution
I've been researching and over-analyzing what solar solution to use with my pop-up camper trailer for a couple of years now, but finally have a trip in mind where solar is an option I cannot put off exercising any longer.There are pros and cons of a portable unit versus installed, stationary solar panels. Fully installed will be more convenient because once installed, you don't have to set them up again. But then you're forced to select campsites that don't result in shading of the solar panels, and you can't really adjust their angle once you've set up the trailer. Portable give you a ton of flexibility on where the panels are placed, customizable for every unique camp site situation. And you can use them in applications outside of just a single trailer. And portable panels don't require drilling more holes in the trailer roof; holes that over time could become sources of water intrusion into the roof. In the end, I selected this portable unit.It is heavier than I expected. I know the listing is fully accurate on weight. I just thought of 20 pounds as less than it actually is. This is fine, it doesn't really matter. What matters is that they are portable, and do work well. The size is also substantial, but you won't find a smaller 100w solar suitcase, so it's perfectly acceptable, and to be expected. It's nice that it consists of two 50w panels, so compared to a single 100w panel, it does fold up to be half the outer dimensions.Setup is really easy. Connect the alligator clips to the battery, plug in the charge controller to the panel, and you're done. First time setup includes selecting the battery chemistry. And of course you will need to position the panels on-site for optimal exposure to the sun.Once it's installed, everything works as it ought to. The charge controller has all the phases you would expect of a good quality controller, despite not being a particularly high-end unit. I like that the controller is attached to the inside of the suitcase, making it really a self-contained system.The cable that comes with it is just under ten feet in length. This *may* be too short for some applications, and some campsites. I ordered an extension cable, and it can snap in as needed for extra length, and extra positioning options. If ordering an extension, make sure it's one that provides positive and negative terminals, and that it's a heavy enough gauge to reduce power loss over the distance.I was impressed with the build quality, and the "finished" feel it has. The latches to close up the suitcase are strong, the handle is strong, and it zips nicely into the included, padded nylon case. The cables fit inside the folded panel, so when it's time to load it up for camping, there's just one thing to grab.There are reviews online that take a more critical look at the efficiency of various panels and controllers. Renology always scores quite well, and I have no complaints. It works great.In summary, it's a portable, high quality, well thought-out solar charger for 12v systems. The design is exactly what I hoped for, and I'm glad I bought it. If you're looking for a portable solar charger in the 100w capacity, this should be a top contender.Ver másVer menos
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