Great review. No bullshit. Straight to the point. I have the crocskin and very happy with it. It sometimes is a PITA when you set up one side with the legs and when you go the other side, the first ones collapse but you get used to that.
I know what you mean, Rob, it's easier just to refold and unfold again when you move it, otherwise you are back and forward adjusting the legs. Such a good panel though, I have one and love it. ~ Ben
Just bought one from snowys in Brendale and visited to check out some other items at your store. Love it. Now im hunting for the perfect for me battery box and lithium battery
These are an awesome value mat, Matt. Good luck with your battery hunt. We have a few options available now, and increasing our battery range is something we have discussed internally. ~ Ben
Correction ; for best charge, the controller Should be as close battery as possible. So lead should be between the panel and controler. Nice review though,
You are correct @Tim Foley, but in a camping situation where the cables tend to be on the shorter side you wont experience much voltage drop so it wont make a huge difference. ~ Lauren
Another nice review/comparison Ben. Keep up the good reviews. With either of these 200w Panels connected to a battery would the power output be enough to power a small to medium fridge ? Cheers, Richard
Thanks for the compliments, Richard. These panels are enough to keep a fridge running without the need for other power, provided you have sunlight. I personally have a 40L Engel that consumes a maximum of 2.8 amps per hour, a 100Ah battery, and the Hard Korr Crocskin Solar Mat in this video. This is enough to keep my batteries charged and the drinks cold provided the weather is not dark and gloomy. Check out this article for information on how to work out solar and battery requirements for your 12v setup - www.snowys.com.au/blog/solar-formula-for-your-4wd-setup/. ~ Ben
Thank you for doing a real test for the camera and viewers. Not like adventure kings that just sell you their sh*7 . Kings matts give you like 20-30w or 2 amps. They're garbage. I will be looking into hardkorr. Thankyou again
You're welcome, DEVARMONT7. I have the 200W Crocskin mat and it consistently delivers above around 6A on most days, creeping down to 1-2A at low light. ~ Ben
So why is it that for the Hard Korr 200 watt solar panel, you can only expect to get 100 watts maximum out of them? Surely that is a mis-representation of the product according to the Australian Consumer Law.
You dont expect that @The rocks Hayden. The 11A output is tested under standards which are hard to replicate in real life, especially in Australia, but theres absolutely no reason why you wouldnt expect 8-9A on average in ideal conditions. We have loads of Snowys Crew who use these panels, myself and Ben included, and you most certainly dont max out at 6A. If you are not able to achieve more than this I would question where you are getting 100W from, how are you measuring this or what are you using to determine this, what conditions are you using them in, and how you have them set up. ~ Lauren
Thanks mate... I needed that. Good job son. If I have a Redarc BCDC charger next to AUX batteries in my caravan, which has solar capabilities, do I still need the solar controller?
We don't sell Redarc, so I'd double check this info with them, but no you don't. You should be able to plug your Solar Panels directly into the BCDC via the yellow input, which should also be indicated in your BCDC product manual. ~ Lauren
I don't know if I like your hat or the kick stands on the big mat more. I like your boots. You look great. I think Bear Brylls should endorse you. Cool Nissan.
I'm new to solar and have a Dometic PLB40 battery. I've looked at the Hard Korr 200w heavy duty panel & it is too much for this battery, whereas the Hard Korr Lifestyle 200w is ok (someone had asked this question on the product q&a). I'm after durability so do I drop down to the 150w heavy duty, or get the Lifestyle 200w? Many thanks
Most 200W panels will have the potential to go over the 10A maximum recommended charge rate, Trish, although this is unlikely to happen often, I have the Hard Korr 200W panels and I think I've only ever once seen it briefly go above 10A. However I think a good option for you, assuming you are only pairing the panels with the PLB40 40Ah and that you want durability, would be to get the 150W panels. That way you get durability and you don't have to be concerned about the Amperage creeping above the maximum recommended by the Dometic PLB40. ~ Ben
So at 12.3-12.4v and 9.0 amps max, that means in pretty good conditions, the crocskin mat only delivered about 110 watts. Is that normal / expected? Thanks
This is pretty much what is expected from any 200W solar panel, Jamie. It was mid to late afternoon so the sun was getting near the treetops and I was moving a bit to stay out of the shade. The maximum current for this solar mat is 11.1A and max working voltage is 18V, which is where the 200W comes from (11.1A x 18V = 199.8W), but you can only expect this in certain conditions. For the best performance the solar panels need to be positioned perfectly on a warm summers day, as you can see in the video, just angling the panels a little more towards the sun produced an extra two amps. ~ Ben
Great review as always. About to purchase the 200w crocskin with the hardkorr baterry box and their 100amp lithium battery. Do you reckon that is a setup capable to power a waeco dual zone 75 while keeping the battery full? Cheers
Hi Mitch, There are a lot of variables to this, but I think you would manage ok with this setup. As an example, I have a 40L fridge and a 200W panel and this is easily enough to keep the fridge cold and the battery topped up if the solar panel is left out in good sunlight for most of the day. I do have some limitations if I get consecutive overcast days though. A dual zone fridge will draw more power, exactly how much more is dependent on how much you open the fridge/freezer, whether it is stored in a cool place (the back of a hot car will reduce efficiency). I'd say this is a good starting point that you will likely find will be sufficient, but also one that you can add to with regards to battery capacity down the track if you end up being power hungry. Hope that helps. ~ Ben
Hey Ben I’m new to portable solar and need to confirm what the actual solar controller provided with the crocskin 200W panels is capable of. It’s not as I understand a MPPT controller so when charging lithium batteries does it correct the voltage to suit lithium charging requirements?
Hi Steve. You are correct, the included controller is a PWM controller which is the simplest type of solar controller, although many are becoming far more advanced these days and the recently upgraded controller that is now included with these panels is an example of this. Different battery types require different charge profiles, that is, different voltage levels at different points in order to effectively charge the battery. The included charger can be set to a suitable profile for lithium batteries so there are not problems there. An MPPT controller goes one step further and provides a more efficient charge, it is kind of like running your car on 91 octane vs 98 octane fuel, both will do the job, but the 98 will do it better albeit at a higher cost. If you are just getting into solar and have a lithium battery then the 200W Croskin is a great option and the included controller will get you started, if down the track you decide you want a more efficient charge then you can upgrade to an MPPT controller. Hope that helps. ~ Ben
Yes, at a very basic level. I'm no expert when it gets more technical than this, but if the nitty gritty details aren't of interest then you can work of this in order to keep your batteries charged. ~ Ben
Correct. It doesn't take much shade for solar performance to wain though, which is the case for any solar panel. The benefit of a larger panel i.e. like these 200W panels, is that they will still deliver a few amps at least until late into the day when the sun is low. ~ Ben
Both of these solar panels have now been upgraded, with different controllers, etc now Ben. USB outputs are generally universally rated to 5V averaging 1-1.5A ~ Lauren
Thanks for the compliment, Catherine. We do have gals on the vids too, if you check our our channel you'll see Lauren and Lisa and I believe Keeta appeared in one or two also. For the most part though, you'll have to put up with me... sorry. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors I wasn't meaning gals on vids - just all your references to inanimate objects as 'guys' LOL ;-) I love your videos!!! I reckon you're a great presenter.
It varies a lot, Leroy, based on just how overcast it is, the temperature and the angle you have the solar panels on. I have found that I get 3-4 amps out of my Hard Korr 200W Crocskin panels reasonably consistently on an overcast day and you can expect loosely the same performance from these panels, but there is no clean cut answer here. ~ Ben
Hi Snowys, Would the Pindan red dust from the top of W.A fill the crocodile type material cover and cause current drop. I know it's more durable but looks like it would dust up easier. how do you clean it, a slight pressure cleaning ? .thanks
I have one of these, Derbarl, and used it a fair bit in a recent trip through WA's north. I wouldn't say it 'dusts up' any easier than other panels, but you are right in that if too much dust is on the surface it will impact performance. It has a sort of dimpled but smooth surface that still dusts or wipes clean easily, I wouldn't recommend a pressure cleaner. ~ Ben
@Snowys Outdoors thanks for clearing that up mate. Loving the content you guys do. Even though I'm in WA all my camp gear n bits comes from Snowys, Dont change.
No, it's a PWM controller. We currently don't sell other controllers but I'd suggest a DC to DC charger from someone like Projecta or Redarc. A DC DC charger will provide a much better charge profile for your battery. ~ Ben
I was thinking this as a alternative what do you think victron MPPT BLUETOOTH CONTROLLER 15/ 75 OR THE 15/100 PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK MANY THANKS
Sure would, Online Gamer, and the larger the panels the faster the battery will charge. For a 40Ah battery like the PLB40 a 200W solar panel may be overkill, but if you can afford it then you will be able to keep your battery topped up without any problems at all. Check out his article for more info, it may help you understand 12V and solar a little better - www.snowys.com.au/blog/solar-formula-for-your-4wd-setup/ ~ Ben
We are dealing with a lot of enquiries at the moment, Sami, sorry for the delay. You can always give us a call on 1300 914 007 if you need a quicker response. ~ Ben
I didn't test the regulators side-by-side sorry, Terry, my focus was more on comparing the output of the actual mats, which showed the Lifestyle mat to only be slightly less output. I used the better regulator as the display is clearer. ~ Ben
Solar is actually horribly inefficient when you look at the numbers, lots is lost in the solar generation stage, but it's as good as it can be with current technologies. ~ Ben
![[TESTED] KINGS vs REDARC solar blankets - shoot-out! 🤠](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AActNzBZ9FA/mqdefault.jpg)
![[TESTED] KINGS vs REDARC solar blankets - shoot-out! 🤠](/img/tr.png)
Great review. No bullshit. Straight to the point. I have the crocskin and very happy with it. It sometimes is a PITA when you set up one side with the legs and when you go the other side, the first ones collapse but you get used to that.
I know what you mean, Rob, it's easier just to refold and unfold again when you move it, otherwise you are back and forward adjusting the legs. Such a good panel though, I have one and love it. ~ Ben
Just bought one from snowys in Brendale and visited to check out some other items at your store. Love it. Now im hunting for the perfect for me battery box and lithium battery
These are an awesome value mat, Matt. Good luck with your battery hunt. We have a few options available now, and increasing our battery range is something we have discussed internally. ~ Ben
Correction ; for best charge, the controller Should be as close battery as possible. So lead should be between the panel and controler.
Nice review though,
You are correct @Tim Foley, but in a camping situation where the cables tend to be on the shorter side you wont experience much voltage drop so it wont make a huge difference.
~ Lauren
Great review, especially coming from a retailer. Good, no rubbish, presentation. Cheers 👍
I appreciate your feedback thanks, Andrew. ~ Ben
Nice Ben. That cleared up the questions I had👍
I'm glad it helped, The Thirsty Goose. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Now I just need to call the store tomorrow to talk batteries👍
@@thethirstygoose398 we don't have a big range of batteries, give us a call though and we'll do all we can to help. ~ Ben
Another nice review/comparison Ben. Keep up the good reviews. With either of these 200w Panels connected to a battery would the power output be enough to power a small to medium fridge ? Cheers, Richard
Thanks for the compliments, Richard.
These panels are enough to keep a fridge running without the need for other power, provided you have sunlight.
I personally have a 40L Engel that consumes a maximum of 2.8 amps per hour, a 100Ah battery, and the Hard Korr Crocskin Solar Mat in this video. This is enough to keep my batteries charged and the drinks cold provided the weather is not dark and gloomy.
Check out this article for information on how to work out solar and battery requirements for your 12v setup - www.snowys.com.au/blog/solar-formula-for-your-4wd-setup/.
~ Ben
Thank you for doing a real test for the camera and viewers.
Not like adventure kings that just sell you their sh*7 .
Kings matts give you like 20-30w or 2 amps.
They're garbage.
I will be looking into hardkorr.
Thankyou again
You're welcome, DEVARMONT7. I have the 200W Crocskin mat and it consistently delivers above around 6A on most days, creeping down to 1-2A at low light. ~ Ben
Great video Ben. Looks like for an extra few hundred dollars, you get a much better product and more importantly a much better warranty.
Worth the extra investment I reckon
~ Lauren
Great video , keep up the good , no bull , work
Thanks, Chris. Happy camping! ~ Ben
So why is it that for the Hard Korr 200 watt solar panel, you can only expect to get 100 watts maximum out of them? Surely that is a mis-representation of the product according to the Australian Consumer Law.
You dont expect that @The rocks Hayden. The 11A output is tested under standards which are hard to replicate in real life, especially in Australia, but theres absolutely no reason why you wouldnt expect 8-9A on average in ideal conditions.
We have loads of Snowys Crew who use these panels, myself and Ben included, and you most certainly dont max out at 6A.
If you are not able to achieve more than this I would question where you are getting 100W from, how are you measuring this or what are you using to determine this, what conditions are you using them in, and how you have them set up.
~ Lauren
Thanks mate... I needed that. Good job son. If I have a Redarc BCDC charger next to AUX batteries in my caravan, which has solar capabilities, do I still need the solar controller?
We don't sell Redarc, so I'd double check this info with them, but no you don't. You should be able to plug your Solar Panels directly into the BCDC via the yellow input, which should also be indicated in your BCDC product manual.
~ Lauren
I don't know if I like your hat or the kick stands on the big mat more. I like your boots. You look great. I think Bear Brylls should endorse you. Cool Nissan.
Haha thanks, Mark. ~ Ben
I'm new to solar and have a Dometic PLB40 battery. I've looked at the Hard Korr 200w heavy duty panel & it is too much for this battery, whereas the Hard Korr Lifestyle 200w is ok (someone had asked this question on the product q&a). I'm after durability so do I drop down to the 150w heavy duty, or get the Lifestyle 200w? Many thanks
Most 200W panels will have the potential to go over the 10A maximum recommended charge rate, Trish, although this is unlikely to happen often, I have the Hard Korr 200W panels and I think I've only ever once seen it briefly go above 10A. However I think a good option for you, assuming you are only pairing the panels with the PLB40 40Ah and that you want durability, would be to get the 150W panels. That way you get durability and you don't have to be concerned about the Amperage creeping above the maximum recommended by the Dometic PLB40. ~ Ben
Thanks for your reply Ben.
Perfect, just what I needed to knoe
I'm glad it was useful. ~ Ben
So at 12.3-12.4v and 9.0 amps max, that means in pretty good conditions, the crocskin mat only delivered about 110 watts. Is that normal / expected? Thanks
This is pretty much what is expected from any 200W solar panel, Jamie.
It was mid to late afternoon so the sun was getting near the treetops and I was moving a bit to stay out of the shade. The maximum current for this solar mat is 11.1A and max working voltage is 18V, which is where the 200W comes from (11.1A x 18V = 199.8W), but you can only expect this in certain conditions.
For the best performance the solar panels need to be positioned perfectly on a warm summers day, as you can see in the video, just angling the panels a little more towards the sun produced an extra two amps.
~ Ben
Great review as always. About to purchase the 200w crocskin with the hardkorr baterry box and their 100amp lithium battery. Do you reckon that is a setup capable to power a waeco dual zone 75 while keeping the battery full? Cheers
Hi Mitch,
There are a lot of variables to this, but I think you would manage ok with this setup.
As an example, I have a 40L fridge and a 200W panel and this is easily enough to keep the fridge cold and the battery topped up if the solar panel is left out in good sunlight for most of the day. I do have some limitations if I get consecutive overcast days though.
A dual zone fridge will draw more power, exactly how much more is dependent on how much you open the fridge/freezer, whether it is stored in a cool place (the back of a hot car will reduce efficiency).
I'd say this is a good starting point that you will likely find will be sufficient, but also one that you can add to with regards to battery capacity down the track if you end up being power hungry.
Hope that helps.
~ Ben
Hey Ben I’m new to portable solar and need to confirm what the actual solar controller provided with the crocskin 200W panels is capable of. It’s not as I understand a MPPT controller so when charging lithium batteries does it correct the voltage to suit lithium charging requirements?
Hi Steve.
You are correct, the included controller is a PWM controller which is the simplest type of solar controller, although many are becoming far more advanced these days and the recently upgraded controller that is now included with these panels is an example of this. Different battery types require different charge profiles, that is, different voltage levels at different points in order to effectively charge the battery. The included charger can be set to a suitable profile for lithium batteries so there are not problems there.
An MPPT controller goes one step further and provides a more efficient charge, it is kind of like running your car on 91 octane vs 98 octane fuel, both will do the job, but the 98 will do it better albeit at a higher cost.
If you are just getting into solar and have a lithium battery then the 200W Croskin is a great option and the included controller will get you started, if down the track you decide you want a more efficient charge then you can upgrade to an MPPT controller.
Hope that helps.
~ Ben
Really helpful video thanks so much
I'm glad you found it useful, Monnow. ~ Ben
Hi ben,
When you say 7ah ouput, does that mean it'll put in 7ah into the battery if cosistent at 7ah for a whole hour?
Yes, at a very basic level. I'm no expert when it gets more technical than this, but if the nitty gritty details aren't of interest then you can work of this in order to keep your batteries charged. ~ Ben
So if part of EITHER of these panels are blocked, will they continue to charge at a lower charge rate?
Correct. It doesn't take much shade for solar performance to wain though, which is the case for any solar panel. The benefit of a larger panel i.e. like these 200W panels, is that they will still deliver a few amps at least until late into the day when the sun is low. ~ Ben
What's the output of the usb ports on the controller?
Both of these solar panels have now been upgraded, with different controllers, etc now Ben.
USB outputs are generally universally rated to 5V averaging 1-1.5A
~ Lauren
Great informative video, thank you. But why are they all "guys"? No "gals"??
Thanks for the compliment, Catherine.
We do have gals on the vids too, if you check our our channel you'll see Lauren and Lisa and I believe Keeta appeared in one or two also.
For the most part though, you'll have to put up with me... sorry.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors I wasn't meaning gals on vids - just all your references to inanimate objects as 'guys' LOL ;-) I love your videos!!! I reckon you're a great presenter.
Ahhhh, I see, my apologies. Good point though, didn't really think about that. I've taken note, keep an ear out in future vids. :) ~ Ben
Great review as always!
Thanks, Cassius. ~ Ben
Hello,
What’s sort of amps output does it produce on overcast days?
It varies a lot, Leroy, based on just how overcast it is, the temperature and the angle you have the solar panels on. I have found that I get 3-4 amps out of my Hard Korr 200W Crocskin panels reasonably consistently on an overcast day and you can expect loosely the same performance from these panels, but there is no clean cut answer here. ~ Ben
Hi Snowys, Would the Pindan red dust from the top of W.A fill the crocodile type material cover and cause current drop. I know it's more durable but looks like it would dust up easier. how do you clean it, a slight pressure cleaning ? .thanks
I have one of these, Derbarl, and used it a fair bit in a recent trip through WA's north. I wouldn't say it 'dusts up' any easier than other panels, but you are right in that if too much dust is on the surface it will impact performance. It has a sort of dimpled but smooth surface that still dusts or wipes clean easily, I wouldn't recommend a pressure cleaner. ~ Ben
@Snowys Outdoors thanks for clearing that up. From the video the covers looked like a material type cover similar to the material on the back of it.
@@79series no, it's not a fabric, it's a hard, tough surface. ~ Ben
@Snowys Outdoors thanks for clearing that up mate. Loving the content you guys do. Even though I'm in WA all my camp gear n bits comes from Snowys, Dont change.
@@79series thanks for the kudos. We won't change, glad you enjoy shopping with us. ~ Ben
Hi Ben is the hard korr controller a MPPT
IF NOT WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR UPGRADE MANY THANKS
No, it's a PWM controller. We currently don't sell other controllers but I'd suggest a DC to DC charger from someone like Projecta or Redarc. A DC DC charger will provide a much better charge profile for your battery. ~ Ben
I was thinking this as a alternative what do you think victron MPPT BLUETOOTH CONTROLLER 15/ 75
OR THE 15/100 PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK MANY THANKS
@@boy2424100 I'm no expert on the intricacies of MPPT controllers sorry, it's probably a question for Victron themselves. ~ Ben
Where’s the link to the guide you mentioned please?
Check out the links in the video notes Tanvir!
~ Lauren
I have a Dometic PLB40 L-Ion Battery, would the Crocskin Panels charge it. Im new to solar panels
Sure would, Online Gamer, and the larger the panels the faster the battery will charge. For a 40Ah battery like the PLB40 a 200W solar panel may be overkill, but if you can afford it then you will be able to keep your battery topped up without any problems at all. Check out his article for more info, it may help you understand 12V and solar a little better - www.snowys.com.au/blog/solar-formula-for-your-4wd-setup/ ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thank you for the reply and information. I'd prefer it to be overkill if I'm out camping anyway
I sent Email to snowys yesterday inquire about something and nobody respond.
Thank you for the review though..
We are dealing with a lot of enquiries at the moment, Sami, sorry for the delay. You can always give us a call on 1300 914 007 if you need a quicker response. ~ Ben
What was the difference in regulators in amp output?
I didn't test the regulators side-by-side sorry, Terry, my focus was more on comparing the output of the actual mats, which showed the Lifestyle mat to only be slightly less output.
I used the better regulator as the display is clearer.
~ Ben
10amps at 12v is ~120watts where did 80watts go
Solar is actually horribly inefficient when you look at the numbers, lots is lost in the solar generation stage, but it's as good as it can be with current technologies. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thanks Ben
Aprox 120 watts outta 200
Not sure what you're referring to sorry @YOGESH KUMAR?
~ Lauren
Crocskin
Is that your preference between the two, Jeff? ~ Ben
There,s no way these mats make 200 watts !
They only achieve the full 200W is absolute optimum conditions and placement, but it's unrealistic to expect 200W all the time. ~ Ben