34 replies to this topic

[DonC]

I'd like to start a thread on an informal survey of the brand of solar panels people are using.  Don't need lots of detail, but I'm curious what everyone is using and what problems if any you are having.  This might help us to get an estimated failure rate for our usage of various brands/types, albeit an unscientific sample.   Are you happy with the decision or if you had to do it again, would you change?  If using flexible, how did you install - adhesive, velcro, tape, directly to roof or on a platform?

 

I'll start.

 

Renogy flexible 100w panels

- installed three directly to roof using adhesive in Dec

- all three have gone bad

- received two new panels and one of these may be bad

 

Renogy seems a great company, customer service very helpful, maybe I've just been unlucky.   Looking at options...

[billharr]

Renogy 100w on the roof and a 120w solar in a bag. Run both through the 30 amp Renogy controller.  Happy with both so far. Only put out the 120w when I am in one place for a few days. If I move every other day the 100w and truck keep me full.

[SB_Surf]

We have two 100W Renogy flexible panels adhered to the roof, and the 30A Renogy Controller. The panels are less than 1 year old and have traveled approx 4500 miles. Our camper is mostly off the truck and in the garage with all systems powered Off. All good so far.

 

What was Renogy's response to DonC's returned panels?

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I have two panels.A 45w Sunforce and a 60w Renogy,both are monocrystalline.

My last trip was on the Oregon  coast where the camper sat for 3 days in shade,producing about 1w.I have a Truckfridge 45 and used battery only for some lights and the coffee grinder,still had a reading of 12v.

The 105w my panels produce seem to supply my needs.

Frank

[Stalking Light]

I have the FWC factory 100w (Zamp?) on the roof and a 60w foldable (PowerFilm) and they seem to do OK.

[longhorn1]

I have the factory installed 100W Zamp and Zamp controller.  I added the portable, folding, Zamp 80W (plug in without the controller since the wall plug wire goes directly to the controller).  So far everything is working as it should.

[Cayuse]

I have 2 Renogy 100W panels on the roof with a 30amp PWM Renogy controller.  The configuration has served me very well and has been on for about a year now with the camper on for all but 3 winter months.

 

To add another data point I put the same setup on a friend's vintage trailer down in Las Vegas this past spring and it is going strong as well.

[alano]

I started with 2 bendable Renogy 100 W panels glued to the roof and a 30 amp Morningstar controller. I added a rigid 100 W Renogy panel to the roof that I can take down for portable use if desired. I have since replaced both bendable panels (under warranty) though I mounted them on an aluminum structure for easy replacement if required (I also saved the shipping box).

 

Alan

[orion]

I have a ramsond mono 100w panel on the roof. Morningstar mppt-15L controller, 2x deka 79ah baterries. I also installed an additional solar plug on the side of the camper to plug in a renogy suitcase 100w panel. 

The ramsond is a great panel, have had really good luck with it. 

[Smokecreek1]

I have 2 Renogy 100W panels on the roof with a 30amp PWM Renogy controller.  The configuration has served me very well and has been on for about a year now with the camper on for all but 3 winter months.

 

To add another data point I put the same setup on a friend's vintage trailer down in Las Vegas this past spring and it is going strong as well.

 

That's what I have,. plus a large compression frig/freezer and once I figured out how it all works together, I've had no  major problems.  My major bitch though is hearing the dang frig turning off and on all the time and yes i know that i can turn in down to stop the noise!  I run it on high at first(when charging up) and once at my first stop turn it down to 3-4.5 (as suggested by someone on this site). just have to learn to play with it !  As long as it keeps charging during the day things are just fine.Oh ya, try no to park the truck with the sun shinning directly on the frig also helps.

 

Smoke