[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

[Bigsidavies]

@Dellmassive im about to fit my new solar panel (rigid 100w on roof bars) and I’m up to about page 10 of this thread but need to shortcut to an urgent question.
The above is going into my CTEK 250, not to the battery.
Does it still need an inline fuse prior to the CTEK?
The diagrams in the CTEK manual don’t show one.Is the CTEK internally fused for this solar input?
I guess it’s the same as the solar cable to a Victron mppt input that doesn’t get an inline fuse.
So, in summary, solar to CTEK NO FUSE?

 

[Bigsidavies]

@Dellmassive im about to fit my new solar panel (rigid 100w on roof bars) and I’m up to about page 10 of this thread but need to shortcut to an urgent question.
The above is going into my CTEK 250, not to the battery.
Does it still need an inline fuse prior to the CTEK?
The diagrams in the CTEK manual don’t show one.Is the CTEK internally fused for this solar input?
I guess it’s the same as the solar cable to a Victron mppt input that doesn’t get an inline fuse.
So, in summary, solar to CTEK NO FUSE?

Can’t edit my post now, but found the answer on page 14.
Great thread this.
Thanks Lee and everyone who has pooled their knowledge.

 

[Dellmassive]

@Bigsidavies .. you can fuse, but it's not required on lower wattage panel setup ..

IE below 400w.

But having a solar disconection point can be helpful.

 

[furtive]

@Dellmassive I've got one of these 120W foldable solar panels:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08J89C3DN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

If I want to use it to charge my leisure battery, do I just need to get the following:
- An MPPT solar charge controller
- Anderson plugs to put onto the leisure battery
- Extension cable
- Some sort of in-line fuse
- Some sort of isolator switch

Looking at this diagram it looks about right

And I assume it is easy to connect it all up without burning the van to the ground. Just trying to weigh up if it is worth doing, or whether its easier to just get a portable power station.

I don't know if it matters, but my van has a PMS3 power management system like this:

Connecting solar panel to PMS3

I've got a PMS3 in my van, and have got a 120W folding solar panel (this one). The solar panel has just been used to charge power banks but I would like to see how I could use it to charge the leisure battery (and maybe the main battery). I would need to buy an MPPT controller, but how would I...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dellmassive I've got one of these 120W foldable solar panels:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08J89C3DN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

If I want to use it to charge my leisure battery, do I just need to get the following:
- An MPPT solar charge controller
- Anderson plugs to put onto the leisure battery
- Extension cable
- Some sort of in-line fuse
- Some sort of isolator switch

Looking at this diagram it looks about right

And I assume it is easy to connect it all up without burning the van to the ground. Just trying to weigh up if it is worth doing, or whether its easier to just get a portable power station.

I don't know if it matters, but my van has a PMS3 power management system like this:


View attachment 156051

Connecting solar panel to PMS3

I've got a PMS3 in my van, and have got a 120W folding solar panel (this one). The solar panel has just been used to charge power banks but I would like to see how I could use it to charge the leisure battery (and maybe the main battery). I would need to buy an MPPT controller, but how would I...

www.t6forum.com

yep that looks about right ..

 

[Dellmassive]

Oh Jeeze . . . . i done it again.


I've just got a second 200w Renogy suitcase kit.



+++++++++++++++

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.

uk.renogy.com

+++++++++++++++


there is a reason . . . but ill explain that later. . .


for now lets have a look at the kit.

its similar to the previous model, but slightly diferent.





.


it come in the hard shell storage box / bag.




with the Voyager 20A controller and a extension lead with fused crockodile clipos . .





the extension lead comes with an MC4 conection - which im not a fan of . . . so will swap that battery connection out for a 50A Anderson connector.




..


size wise its 200w so a fair size . . .




spec wise we have this . . .




..


here we can see the 5-Busbar cells, which is the same as before . . . but the cells look slightly smaller.




the included controller is a cracking little unit. . .

i have had one of these from the start. . . . very capable and has Lithium profile and a back light screen.






getting it out in the sun for a quick test we see . . . . . 173W ( plugged into the Bluetti that has an internal MPPT controller and Lithium battery pack)

that not bad at all for a 200w panel in the UK.

im very happy with that.








...

so why buy a second one?



well we have just been on a camping trip for 5 days . . . and took the AC200MAX. - SOLAR GENERATORS - LifePo4 Battery Boxes -- How I done It --


and the Renogy 200W kit - [Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -


we have a couple of sunny days . . . and a couple of rainy days . . .
both bits of kit done a great job.


but it was evident that if i wanted to run 24/7 off grid id need more solar.




...


so being me i decided it was a good idea to double the solar and get a second 200w Kit . . . to run together with the other 200W - 400W total ( the AC
200MAX can take 900W )


..



what i wasnt expecting was that they have changed the panel slightly.


here they are together . . . the new unit on the left:





++++


running both kits together in series and direct into the AC200MAX is was getting 385W. . .


that's awesome - from a 400W setup.





...............

so there we go,

that 2x 200w kits

and 1x 100w kit

plus the fold out 100W kit

The Renogy Kit continues with the same quality and performance as expected.


i believe @Skyliner33 also has the 200W kit . . . that he plugs into his Victron MPPT in the van to run a Renogy Lithium.



.

 

[Skyliner33]

Oh Jeeze . . . . i done it again.


I've just got a second 200w Renogy suitcase kit.



+++++++++++++++

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.

uk.renogy.com

View attachment 159749


+++++++++++++++


there is a reason . . . but ill explain that later. . .


for now lets have a look at the kit.

its similar to the previous model, but slightly diferent.


View attachment 159750


.


it come in the hard shell storage box / bag.

View attachment 159752


with the Voyager 20A controller and a extension lead with fused crockodile clipos . .


View attachment 159753


the extension lead comes with an MC4 conection - which im not a fan of . . . so will swap that battery connection out for a 50A Anderson connector.


View attachment 159754

..


size wise its 200w so a fair size . . .


View attachment 159755

spec wise we have this . . .


View attachment 159756

..


here we can see the 5-Busbar cells, which is the same as before . . . but the cells look slightly smaller.


View attachment 159757

the included controller is a cracking little unit. . .

i have had one of these from the start. . . . very capable and has Lithium profile and a back light screen.


View attachment 159758



getting it out in the sun for a quick test we see . . . . . 173W ( plugged into the Bluetti that has an internal MPPT controller and Lithium battery pack)

that not bad at all for a 200w panel in the UK.

im very happy with that.





View attachment 159759


...

so why buy a second one?



well we have just been on a camping trip for 5 days . . . and took the AC200MAX. - SOLAR GENERATORS - LifePo4 Battery Boxes -- How I done It --


and the Renogy 200W kit - [Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -


we have a couple of sunny days . . . and a couple of rainy days . . .
both bits of kit done a great job.


but it was evident that if i wanted to run 24/7 off grid id need more solar.


View attachment 159760

...


so being me i decided it was a good idea to double the solar and get a second 200w Kit . . . to run together with the other 200W - 400W total ( the AC
200MAX can take 900W )


..



what i wasnt expecting was that they have changed the panel slightly.


here they are together . . . the new unit on the left:



View attachment 159761View attachment 159763View attachment 159762

++++


running both kits together in series and direct into the AC200MAX is was getting 385W. . .


that's awesome - from a 400W setup.

View attachment 159764



...............

so there we go,

that 2x 200w kits

and 1x 100w kit

plus the fold out 100W kit

The Renogy Kit continues with the same quality and performance as expected.


i believe @Skyliner33 also has the 200W kit . . . that he plugs into his Victron MPPT in the van to run a Renogy Lithium.



.

OMG.
Have you had chance yet to compare the 2 panels, apart from looks?
I am thinking of getting rid of mine for a panel on the roof, especially if I ever decide on a pop top I like enough to get installed.

 

[Dellmassive]

OMG.
Have you had chance yet to compare the 2 panels, apart from looks?
I am thinking of getting rid of mine for a panel on the roof, especially if I ever decide on a pop top I like enough to get installed.

ill eventually get a poptop fitted . . . . with a 160 - 200 w panel stuck on ( over vinyl ) - but ill always have a mobile panel to add to it for extra power and shading issues.


panels --

they are very similar,


2022 version






2021 version.. - [Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

 

[Skyliner33]

they are very similar,


2022 version


View attachment 159787



2021 version.. - [Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -



View attachment 159788

Slight differences. Wonder how these translate into the real world usage.

 

[Dellmassive]

Slight differences. Wonder how these translate into the real world usage.

next to none . . . same controller, same output, just slightly smaller.

will be the same running on a victron mppt too.

+

 

[Rioja John]

@Dellmassive Hi Lee I’ve done away with the Dokio 100 watt solar panel very flimsy and not working correctly since it got blown off our roof whilst camping, so I’ve bought 2 Oystade 100watt folding solar panels but can you explain why I don’t get the total wattage through my Jackery 1000.
1 panel shows 77 watts and second shows 68 watts but when combined to my Jackery It’s reading is 114 watts and not 145 watts which is the total of the 2 panels. These are connected with the genuine Jackery Y connector.



John.

 

[Rioja John]

@Dellmassive also Lee how would you connect these panels to my 220 A/H gel leisure batteries as Anderson leads come straight from the rear of the panels.
Thanks again.
John

 

[Rioja John]

@Dellmassive also Lee how would you connect these panels to my 220 A/H gel leisure batteries as Anderson leads come straight from the rear of the panels.
Thanks again.
John

View attachment 160940

Now sorted with this my panels came with a short lead with Anderson connectors at one end and MC4 on the other so I cut the MC4 off and soldered it on to the cable that came with the Dokio and now I can charge my leisure from my new panels through the Dokio controller.
John.

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dellmassive Hi Lee I’ve done away with the Dokio 100 watt solar panel very flimsy and not working correctly since it got blown off our roof whilst camping, so I’ve bought 2 Oystade 100watt folding solar panels but can you explain why I don’t get the total wattage through my Jackery 1000.
1 panel shows 77 watts and second shows 68 watts but when combined to my Jackery It’s reading is 114 watts and not 145 watts which is the total of the 2 panels. These are connected with the genuine Jackery Y connector.

View attachment 160935View attachment 160936View attachment 160937View attachment 160938View attachment 160939

John.

It looks like the max input of the jackory 1000 is 12v-30v 163w max .



.

That means you can't have the panel to in series as the volts add up .

So the Y cable must be connected them in parallel.

This will keep Volts same but add up the current... Ie 10A.

So 163w max. Maybe the to jackory is limit ING the input?

Possible shading on panel?

Possible loosing power over all those connectors.....

Maybe look at making an Anderson power pole Y cable? That's a better conection. .. then use the Anderson input port.?

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dellmassive also Lee how would you connect these panels to my 220 A/H gel leisure batteries as Anderson leads come straight from the rear of the panels.
Thanks again.
John

View attachment 160940

You need to use a solar controller.

PV panels --> solar controller --> battery via fuse.


....


Maybe reuse you dokio controller?.

....


Or my advice.... Look at getting a Victron 75/15 smart mppt . Then run the panels through that into the battery.

 

[Rioja John]

Thank you. Lee appreciated.

John.

 

[Dellmassive]

Did i mention i have some new solar panels ( summer 2022 ) . . . . . ?



LENSUN 150w Black Flexible panels. ( LS-150FX2-B2 )


i have two of them . . . so thats 300W as a matched pair.

Specification​

Electrical Information:​

Model: LS-150FX2-B2​

Peak power: 150W​

Solar cell efficiency: 23.5%​

Maximum power voltage: 18V​

Maximum power current: 8.33A​

Open circuit voltage: 21.24V​

Short circuit current: 9.16A​

Power allowance range: +/-3%​

Maximum system voltage: 500V​

Values at standard test conditions: Air Mass - AM1.5, Irradiance - 1000W/m2, Cell Temperature - 25°C​

​

Material Information:​

Laminated for weather resistance​

Laminated with fiberglass + ETFE + Silicon cell + EVA + Tedlar​

Solar cells: PERC 9BB Monocrystalline​

Dimensions: 43.3x28x0.1 inch/1100x710x2.5mm​

Net Weight: 8 lbs/3.6kgs​

Back sheet: Black Fiberglass​

J-Box: IP 68 rated with 90cm/3ft cables​

​

here they are. . . .


well packaged:





.



these have the 9BB / BusBar cell tech . .



spec:






..


i got sent the Rubber strip version . . . . . but the strip is just a press fit and not glued on so can be removed if needs be.





this is the pair . . . so 300W as they stand.




manual included. . .



...


size wise they are not much bigger than the standard 100w ish panels . .




...


with this being them laying again the twin Renogy 200w suuitcase setups. . .




a quick plug in test showed 210W with the panels in series ( 300W max ) at the Bluetti Ac200Max. ( I'm happy with that as we don't have optimal conditions)




ill be using these as mobile panels for my various setups,

either laying flat on the floor, or on the van roof with a few magnets.


or possibly on the 45Degree stands i made up last year out of hard board and webbing straps.




+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


now for the back story.

Lensun sent me these panels as warrenty replacements for two 100W failed panels from last year

it went like this . . .



The sun started again for 2022 . . . so i decided to do an inventory of my solar panels and test them on the new Bluetti AC200Max to see which ones worked best with the unit and gave the best charge rate. . .


during testing it was evident that two of the Lensun panels (Ls-100fx2) were dead. - no voltage output.

this is the first time I've had any panel failure . . . and though it odd that out of all the panel i have its two identical panels that have gone . . . . hmm.?

testing showed that the panel was dead untill and extreme bend was placed on the panel, at which point it showed some voltage. .


this lead me to believ that there was eithe cell damage some where . . .

or . .

cell busbar damage.


++++

so i reached out to Lensun as these panels were 13 or 14months old -

they asked for some pics and tests etc to run past their engineers . . . which i happily done for them.

i even sent them a video : New video by ESD Lee


++++


after a few emails they offered to replace them under warrenty - which was nice. ( but i wasnt too sure about getting the same model panels, incase there was a common issue that caused the double failiure.


+++++

separately id also asked for quote for two of the newer 9BB 150w panels, . . . in a quick lightbulb moment i emailed them and asked if i could have the 150w panels as warranty replacements.
they agreed as long as i paid the difference . . . which i did.


so, that's how come we now have these 150w panels.


+++++

here is reminder that solar panels are very delicate and that the faxable and foldable panels must be treated with respect, and not bent or smashed about.


+++++


Lensun didnt want the faulty panels back . . .

so i decided to operate on them . . .

this is the death of a solar panel . . .

these are the pair:



i cut into the rubber top coat to get to the busbars and contacts. . .




here you can see the glass/silicone cell and foil wires . .



.

bending the panel to extrremes you can hear the glass cracking and the effect, you can also see the cell cracks. . .





you can also see these little bumps of the BusBars between the cells . . . .


i think that may be the original fault?


a cracked busbar join . . . that had a poor connection and caused the point to heat up and cause the etfe rubber to bulge.





im not sure . . . . but as you see from the video clip above . . . bending the panel caused some output. . .

so its related to mechanical strain.


all in all its kept my faith with Lensun , to honour the warrenty claim.

and to offer me the upgrade at cost price.

so thanks Lensun.

++++++++++++


for anyone else that's interested my contact is Alice from Lensun.


alice@lensunsolar.com


say that @Dellmassive from T6F sent you - they might offer you a discount.


++++++++++++


For everyone else have a look at Renogy . . . . . there solar panels and kits are awesome and consistently provide exceptional panel outputs.

put together with a solar controller and one of there Lifepo4 batteries its a winning combo. . . .

add in the Renogy DC-DC/MPPT controller - and its a ready made Leisure system for your van.


+++++

.

 

[chearmstrong]

This is all awesome - thanks for pulling it together @Dellmassive.

I already have a 50w on the roof of my van, linked in via a PV Logic MPPT Pro.

I want to beef up the power so I'm considering some 150w Dokio mobile panels - I wanted to check before I make the dive in... Would I be OK to use my existing controller and connect both panel to the controller in parallel? I understand at since they will be different it will affect results, but I want to make sure I don't fry the controller.

Thanks again.

 

[Dellmassive]

@chearmstrong ..

Post a few pics of your controller so we can check the specs.

Or upgrade your controller to a Victron 75/15 smart, or a 100/20 smart .

 

[chearmstrong]

Post a few pics of your controller so we can check the specs.

This is the tech spec afaik. Cheers!

Technical Specifications - PV logic MPPT PRO User Manual [Page 7]

PV logic MPPT PRO Manual Online: Technical Specifications. Nominal System Voltage Battery Voltage Range Rated Battery Current / Solar Current Self-consumption Operating temperature Overall dimensions Mounting hole size (in case) Terminals Net weight The below information is based on a...

www.manualslib.com