EFFORTLESS Solar Setup: DURABLE 200W Portable Solar Panel for Van Life!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 เม.ย. 2024
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Discover the ultimate in portable power with VCUTECH's 200 Watt Foldable Solar Panel. Designed for solar generators, it's compatible with leading brands like ECOFLOW, Jackery, and BLUETTI. Compact and foldable, it's perfect for van life, weighing just 15 LB and folding to 20 x 27 inches. With just 3 panels it is easy and effortless to move the and set up.
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Thanks for watching!
I cannot think of any aspect of van life that you have not tested. I appreciate the honesty and knowledge you bring to the table.
I'm a subscriber, so I can speak freely. The reason I love this channel is the host/dude is so awkward/goofy that you know he is not a salesman, nor a schmoozer. He is, as he appears. A good egg who cares about Van Lyfe, and people. His effort to help people is amazing.
ALL true. It's because his heart is so big. He's been living in a van for decades. He tells the story of when he started - had to - and cried himself to sleep those first weeks out of shame. He doesn't want anyone else forced into that situation to feel that way, so he does this. He wants to empower them, tell them it's not their fault, SHOW them he cares about them, and help them succeed so their self-confidence will grow so big it forces out the shame. The world needs so many more people like Bob.
Some folks may not realize that just because a panel is rated for 200 watts it is not going to produce that in the real world, even at high noon in the desert in the middle of summer generally speaking panels are not producing 200 watts. Between manufacturers you will find some panels are more efficient than others, because of this I wish you would throw a watt meter on all these panels you review so we can compare the power output in addition to ease of use. Thanks for all the info you put out there, cheers and good luck.
At about 5:30 he said his four all tested the same.
It's all about efficiency.
He said, its about the watts per square inch. Each manufacturers have their ratings on the label...that's best case scenario
I always hit the thumbs up button first thing when I see that you have posted a video, because I know you will help me find new possibilities for nomadic life.
This is great new solar power option for folks with low fixed incomes like myself. I WILL be out there one day soon, after I get through this temporary setback from my 2 failed back surgeries just this month. Financial necessity says it can’t stop me for long. At 69, I have yet to live my best life!👍🏻
Me to 😀
keep in mind you can buy a used 280 rigid panel for $40 bucks in AZ from San Tan solar
I appreciate you giving very honest reviews and comparisons of products for nomads and potential nomads. Since you have years and years of experience using various products yourself, it's valuable to all of us so we don't waste money on poorly made or poorly functioning products, or so we don't grossly overpay for well made items due to not knowing any better.
If you only want a panel you can lay out than I recommend you go with a flexible panel, they will hold up a lot better in the weather. They are paper thin and storing them is easy. Also get a male and female 15A plugs so you can use a regular extension cord for the cable.
Thanks Bob. May the good Lord watch over you and your family and friends. Peace and Love 😊.
Ditto 👍🏻
@@jacquelineanne3934 Sending Love ❤...Are you single?
I have both a 4 panel Bluetti and this 3 panel solar panels for my Bluetti AC180. I prefer the 3 panel now. It has become my go to solar panel for my vintage trailer setup. In Q this year, I used it all the time. I still will use the 4 panel for my small Bluetti that runs my frig if charging both Bluetti’s at the same time.
Great video Bob.
I don't mount mine so I can keep my camper in the shade and my panels in the sun.
LOL'ing at the awkwardness of moving the four-panel thing, playing "seesaw game". Been there, done that.
I just want to put one on my dashboard
$1 per watt is a good rule that I'll start to look for. I paid $2 per watt for my Bluetti panels (on sale) so it's good to see competitors offering more affordable options. 👍
Looks nice. I do the same thing. I look for items that will make life easier. I then laugh because I just saved myself 20 seconds so I can get back to sitting in my chair quicker. Won't change that but just funny when we all day and ponder how to do things better and easier. Thanks for what you do for us Bob!! First?
Bob always has the best recommendations.
A great video on solar panels. I so appreciate your time and expertise. Thanks Bob
There is no such thing as a "standard mc4". "MC4" is a water proof rating not a plug size fit, so although all MC4s look similar, all may have different specs fit-wise. You need to stick to the same brand if you want to be sure of a snug, safe fit. If the plugs do not fit properly it can cause energy loss, melt downs, and possibly even fire. If you want the waterproofness of MC4 and you buy ones to match your other ones and if they are not the same, you can possible jimmy rig odd MC4s to each other by squeezing down with pliers or prying open with a poky tool. Just make sure you have a snug connection with the metal parts, not just the plastic! Or you can completely rewire with new sets of MC4s that match. XT60 are a standard fit size and any brand XT60 will fit to any brand XT60 and that is why those are popular. Also some battery generators come with an XT60 socket in them. They also make XT90. I guess you can put something around an XT type plug to make it waterproof, like that silicone Flex tape. They used to make covers for power cords that screwed together to protect from rain.
400 watts is perfect fore small vans, SUV, small campers.
I have all 3 kinds of panels, hard strong ones, these in these videos, and the thin flexible solar panels. I like the thin flexible solar panels the nest. They are 4 or 5 pounds and although they give less power than the strong heavy ones they are a 1000 times easier to deal with . Unless your going to install a heavy one and then not touch it they can be a headache. I can't stand on my rv roof so I have to place them on roof every week when I change campgrounds. The ones in these videos some instructions say not meant for rain. I've left mine in rain without problem but that concerns me
we have the 300 watt dokio folding panel....we put it on our roof as opposed to laying it on the ground when we are at a campsite.
I have a 200 watt Bluetti that’s three panels. It was expensive because it’s a Bluetti.
I feel warm already ☀️
Thank you Bob for helping us stay current on the latest products!!!
Watt?
I'm curious of how durable these portable panels for you nomads that use them every day and in fairly harsh conditions? All the wind and dust you folks live in. If they last a long time for you folks it will be fantastic for someone like me that will use it a few times a year. Thanks for sharing all this great information. I'm not a nomad but I have learned so much from your channel Bob!
OK just looked at the link and voltage and it puts out 19.2 volts which will work on the smaller bluetties but not on the larger ones that need 35 volts...ask me how I know..installed it for a lady and not getting any power..looked at the requirements and VOILA needs 35 bolts..she had 2 bluety 1 a small one which would run on the lower voltage and the other would not ...something to keep in mind
Great videos Bob..they help lots of folks!
On 4 22 24 the Supreme Court had a 2 hr 15 min hearing on homelessness and it will make a rules for all of the usa. It's audio is on youtube and is must listen to all who live in cars, rvs, out of a bag. Please make a video on this. 9th circuit Martin vr Boise and great pass is the ruling there trying to over turn. 😊😊😊😊😊😊
I thought it was Grants Pass vs Johnson
Whats the conclusion?
That would be Grants Pass, Oregon. Thank you for sharing this.
Bob, just curious if you know the laws on Domicile addresses have changed drastically!!! It used to be that South Dakota used to be number one on the list for getting a Domicile residence and in 24 hours! You did a video on it 5 years ago . Much has changed! Even some videos that were done a year ago don’t address new laws! Many mail services such as USPostal 1 is not recognized as a real address and can’t be used in states as a Domicile residence! You have to be an actual property owner now and show bills paid on a said property and be a registered voter???? Please do a video clearing up the confusion, we are all counting on you to explain the process and maybe which states are affected! Thanks Bob.❤
This is a good idea when you can't mount permanet panels on your roof for whatever reason. Any kind of solar recharging helps especially when you are boondocking where you have a spot to get good sunshine on them. It's easy to tilt them (aim directly at the sun) for maxiumum effectiveness. Any solar panel needs to be pointed directly at the sun for best charging. Thanks Bob.
Watching your old video talking about solar panels and paying only a dollar per watt, and today you saying the same surprises me because i find them almost always far more expensive.
I've been looking for a solar panel for my Bibene. Thank You for the info. ACU Tech three panel is definitely under consideration now. Stay Safe Out There 🙏👍😎
Thanks for another outstanding video!
Hello you have helped me so much
I am a 64 yr old retired widdower
I have converted a 2005 Chevy Tahoe 4 x 4 low miles excellent condition vehicle
I converted into a rv camper
All your advise and videos help me
Iive on 1040a month after vehicle insurance and gas ⛽ and food 🥑 I have 700 a month to live on and save money
God bless you
Daniel Edward Spivey blairsville ga
Not sure I see the point. The 175 lives under the mattress and it fits on the windshield perfect. I just hold it on there with the wipers. I'm gonna get another one to hang off the vans rain gutters with a couple pieces of coathanger wire.
Thank you for CAPTIONing
If it is caught in a thunderstorm will it hurt it or ruin it? If you had a large silver or Chrome colored tarp staked down on all four corners and put the panels on that wouldn't you get more power in a shorter time and the keeping it clean part maybe would help it last longer? How long would it take to charge a jackery 1000? I am moving to the Philippines and they notorious for power outages.. I will surely have a portable system I can bring with me and move with me.. always watching you Sir Bob because you are full of lots of great information and lots of great ideas.. thank you sir for all of your videos 👍👍😊😊
I saw video of an automated solar panel manufacturing plant quickly making panels. Production like that is causing the prices for solar to drop making solar more affordable for everyone. I am also amazed, 10 years ago or so, solar was five dollars a watt. Now if your lucky. You can find solar for 53 cents a watt!
Maybe in America. Not the rest of the world. Panels here are expensive. A 60 to 100 watt Panel is over just under 150 .
A good honest assessment, thank you for the information.
Well done Bob ! Clear, concise and to the point. Thank You.
Thank you for sharing Bob❤
We just got a sprinter for our fam of 5. Low of planning not sure how to camperize it but still working on it. Thank you Bob for your informative videos 🙏🏼❤️
Hi Bob, I'm still hanging in there with your for a looooong time! Love you and your videos! Thank you so much for always informing and sharing with us.
Good info as always
Thanks
Thank you for sharing ✌️💞🤟
That is awesome
thank you Bob
I really like your opinions on the solar
Thank you
Thanks
Thank you!!
I'm excited to say we bought a 4 window bus. We can't wait to get it done and hit the road. Hope to see you in Arizona
I need to do something like this but I don't know what I need some kind of fan or AC or something in my van I have a black van
Good info thank you
Good review.
Hope this helps the cause.
It s a good idea.
Thanks for the review-we all need to charge our cell phones and use power off grid
Love your work, and your appearance in Nomadland, epic! :) Do you have a video showing what you're plugging your panels such as these into?
It looks neat. But are there holes on the extremities for attachment in case of windy days?
The Power of Three!
Bob this van life is new to me, hubby and I just started to do a non build ram Promaster van for van life. To see if we like it. Want to take with us a kettle, toaster, 2 burner stove, and fridge. Which ones to u recommend and what do we buy to power these. Tysm bob for All u do
Nice.
👋😄👍 Thanks Bob!
I'm looking forward to getting folding panels. This looks like I can handle it.
What is the best bicycle battery that can be used for both bicycle and storage?
Darn, I think I may have ordered the wrong connector after watching this. Maybe not because I needed an Anderson but now I'm wondering if the other end is what I need. I shall find out. 😊
I'm fully on the portable panel train (have a 400, 2x140 and 2x120) so it's nice to see something easy to maneuver.. I would have hoped for a testing though, what kind of power did it provide in good sun, what happens if you cover one of the panels a little or a lot (does it lose 1/3rd the output, or less)?
This is currently $500 on amazon canada, so not the greatest deal. I can get 2 Allpowers 200W portables for that, and accept slightly less maneuverability.
Will that work with the Bluetti ac300 & 300b ?
I'm relatively new to solar. Will it run a decent sized fan? Will it last more than one summer?
Thx. Looking at the Renogy 200w portable.
I made a video and a short on that one recently!
Would have been nice to see how many watts it puts out. So much variation from manufacturer to manufacturer. Maybe compare it to the other panel you had set up?
Hey Bob have you heard of the RV awning panel? Apparently they had a display in the big tent. I was just wondering if you had an opinion about it.
Bob you are a true inspiration! It was my honor meeting you at the RTR in January. JeffeysMom
❤️👩🦼👍🏻🚍🐾😁
@CheapRVliving can you recommend a long charging cable to reach from my battery inside the van to the solar panels outside in the sun? Thank you.
Morning
When you buy something online where do you have it delivered?
Another youtuber did a review on 5 or 6 different brands. He picked this as more bang for the buck. The drawback is that if any part of this panel is shaded you get 0 power
Hey Bob, I certainly hope you're having a wonderful time I know you all seem to do. Now I just wanted to say that I've been trying to learn about school buses and what it takes to operate one. I'm trying to find one myself and I'm a single disabled female that's like Mega old. But it's just more or less going to be my last little bit of fun that I can have I hope. Hoping to meet up with you all also I've never been out west and of course I do have some friends around the United States I'd like to visit. That back to the solar panel how much would like the school bus 40 ft ish run everything Electric. Instant hot water heaters fart shower and kitchen sink. Also I kind of would have an idea of using the majority of what furniture I could from my apartment. Plus later building things in to the bus it will take quite a while I know but I've been in rough places before without electricity and having to have an outhouse to go to . But of course that was in my younger years lol. So and as far as batteries now you were just saying 3 panels but that's in your van. So what do the other people use and how many batteries to use at the highest amount to have everything taken care of electrical wise ?? Haha!😂 and of course I would be looking for used items items and pallet wood scrap to build with. So a little bit of this a little bit of that it's going to be a mixed match but who knows what it's going to turn out like. More or less hippie Gypsy western-style Maybe just as long as it all works will be fine with me. God bless you Bob for all the fun and exciting things you share online how much you take care of people out there that are trying to do what you are doing. And stay safe and I hope everyone out there are doing just fine and their whatever mobile they're living in. Happy trails to you all Bob take care and God bless you.❤
Bob, what kind of solar Generator do you use for the the VOU Tech? I want to get one for my Van, I will be new for this, thanks Bob♥️♥️♥️🫖
The VCU panels have 12 gauge wire. .Do the extension cables need to be 12 gauge also? Is the short extension piece with multiple connectors 12 guage?
just ordered the dokio 300 watt 4-panel set up for $279 ( there was a $50 coupon that i missed). my power station takes 1000 watts of input and i’ve been limping along with a 100 watt glass panel that gives me at most 80 watts in the clear arizona skies . not bad but my power station never gets full charged and ends up shutting off in the middle of the night. anyway, we’ll see how many watts we get from the dokio. i’ve read mixed reviews.
BOB, We have 2 Jackery 100 watt panels already. How would you compare VCUtech panels? I ask because we have a 1000 and a 1500 watt Jackery..could use 200 more watts. Jackery panels are firmer and heavier, but space/weight is not an issue for us. Any opinion you may have is helpful. Thank you!
In the deep south, what kind of power station and solar panels would I need (and the cheapest) to run the tiniest window air conditioner to cool one tiny room if the electricity goes out this summer?
I'd get a Honda generator. ;)
👍👍👍👍👍👍
One of the things I've run into in setting vans solar for a couple of people with Bluetties is that they will not charge unless the voltage of the panel is over 35 volts..how much are these 200 ones putting out?
Bob, If I have say 1000 watts solar and 2 Lipo4 batteries , all the right stuff what purpose is having a Bluetti?
Well how long will it last??
Yourhoice may be easier but it'll topple in high winds I guess....
Well, you like what you have, Bob, that is obvious. And that's OK. But can your rooftop solar panels tilt with the sun? They can be mechanized to do so, but that's beyond my budget.
When it's sweltering outside, I'll just park in the shade and put my folding panels out in the sun.
Jon in rural BC, Canada
Yes that is what I'm doing
You can tilt solar panels affixed to your roof? I’d like to learn more about that. I’m searching my options.
Not bad for $200.00 dollars!
Bob - ordered these panels thru Amazon. Had a real hard time finding them on their Website. After waiting, got a msg that they were hung up in KY and were transferred to the USPS. Next thing, we get a txt msg with a Singapore country code # claiming to be the USPS stating our address was incorrect, and msg said click on the link to correct the address. WE DID NOT CLICK ON LINK. Looked at the Amazon account and the order had been cancelled and they stated they would refund the money -- no explanations. This is just to caution others. We liked the panels; trusted your evaluation and recommendation and really wanted them, now we are skeptical of this company.
Amazon prices fluctuate a lot.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
🌞🌞🌞
Can u review van life with a firearm? Laws
$279 with $30 coupon makes it $249
He said it was regularly $250, -$30 coupon, so it would be $220.
I love the grounded reality of this channel!!!
*Retirement took a toll on my finances, but with my involvement in the digital market, $15,000 weekly returns has been life changing. AWESOME GOD* ❤️
You wouldnt by chance have a brother or son named Kevin that has also Has a youtube channel?You talk and sound just like him.
SuzyAnn.
Thank you BOB, this info really helps🏆🚐🇺🇲😎
Sending Love ❤@Suzy...Are you single?