*Super compact and easy to carry and travel with accessories for the electric **Generater.Systems** .I was worried this was going to be bulky or hard to use.Hooks up easy and charges quickly*
Jim, I'm ordering the system this week. I have a 1000 watt Renogy system as a back up at home, this suitcase set up is to civilize my camping trips. I saw this on the Renogy site, but no video reviews. Thanks for creating and posting your video.
Hi Jim! I came here for the solar panel review. I don't like RV's.... I don't want to do vacations on one....but my god! Your Airstream is just gorgeous! I would love to have one, just for the looks of it! I bet you are a proud owner! Congratulations! By the way, nice review!
Thanks Daniel. I chose the Airstream because of its value retention. That's my Scottish heritage coming out! I am still working on my video production values. Hope I can do make them better in the future.
Used it in Oklahoma while Boondocking last month, We got a bout 28 A-Hr of electricity on an overcast day, replacing the energy I used overnight running the furnace, pump and lights. Kept the batteries topped up. I moved it once at noon from east facing to west facing.
I have heard that Renogy was a good solar panel. I was wonder about the extension cables to move the panels away. I would like to get some solar panel. I did buy a harbor freight panels but do need an up grade thank for the vidio. this sounds like it might work for me.
In similar shoes, but also put in lithium 280 ah. Added a victron 30 amp dc to dc charger and all is good with the world. BTW, with lead acid batteries, you really only have half the rated capacity, if you take them below 12.3 volts they degrade quickly. Do it five times and they are shot.
@@jim9404 If you go to diysolarforum, you can find a section there for DIY lithium builds. My battery, which I built early summer of 2020, cost about $650 or so for everything. It fits in a group 31 battery box, weighs less than 50 lbs, and is the functional equivalent of about 7 of the batteries that the rv dealer "gives" you when you buy an RV. I used eve 280ah cells and a Daly 200 amp BMS. Changing from lead acid to lithium is equivalent in a sense to adding significantly to your solar panel count. The round trip efficiency of a charge cycle is near 100%, what goes in comes out.
Jim, thanks for posting. I just purchased the same exact Renogy 200w suitcase (not the new Eclipse style panels). Also bought a set of 20’ 10AWG MC4 style extension cables. I have yet to get first light on the panels (darn weather and work schedule). Have you been able to measure the voltage drop from the charge controller to the battery introduced by the length of the extension cables? Thank again for posting!
Yes, the best way is to have the charge controller as close tot the battery as you can. I did not do this because the charge controller is attached to the solar panel and I wanted to leave all that together as a unit. What you give up is a little bit of charging efficiency because of the voltage drop in the extension. Life is full of compromises.
"BougeRV 30 Feet 10AWG Solar Extension Cable with Female and Male Connector with Extra Free Pair of Connectors Solar Panel Adaptor Kit Tool (30FT Red + 30FT Black)" Available from Amazon. You will have to crimp the unattached connector on yourself.
Follow Up - Today is a nice sunny day, I put the panels out for a test at noon and they are producing about 6 A into the batteries at 14.6 V. The batteries are a pair of flooded lead acid. Interstate SRM 24 in parallel. The voltage drop in the 30 foot cable is 0.2 volts from the controller to the battery terminals.
I know this is an old video but can you add a 100 watt Renogy penal into this solar controller so you can have 300 watts? Can the controller handle an additional 100 watts?
The controller is rated at 20 Amps, It is my experience that The two panels I have, put out about 10 amps in bright sunlight. You should call Renogy to get an expert opinion.
Bouge has extension cables from 10 ft to 100 ft in AWG 10 and 12 See them at this link www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BRFPD6R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I am using a set of 7 year old Interstate Group 24 flooded lead acid batteries. These batteries have lasted a long time. I believe it is because when in storage they are always connected to a 15 w solar panel with a Morningstar charge controller, and I never discharge them below 50%. I have used that same setup on my sailboats for years with good results.
Jim, so in the Renogy control Panel you chose lead acid ? Just wondering what battery type you select in the control panel or does it do it automatically? I’m going to set up this weekend
@@douglasbenham3349 Yes, I set up the battery type in the control panel the first time I hooked up to the battery before hooking up to the solar panel. Follow instructions provided with the panel as your controller may be different than mine,
I bought “wsdcam 113db wireless anti-theft alarm” on amazon and stuck it to the underside. Even if you tap the panel, it gives off a warning alarm. Loud!
@@jim9404 Standard thief bolt cutters will cut the garage-type-cable but it is better than nottin and will keep all the non-pros away. Airstream well-deserves its reputation. Aircraft-grade body that helps them last forever.
Gary, that is true, probably around 10 Amps is the max I could get, and average current is going to be much less. On a sunny summer day , that should be enough to replace about half my 2 battery capacity. That was my goal since I can typically go two days on a full charge.
Gary - I suspect that he was referring to the CC rating as 20a and probably has read the label on the panels and now has experience to know that in bright sun the panels properly aimed will produce about 8a/150v which is 200w equivalent to the 4a per panel i get from my Renogy 100w panel. Nice video though to tell folks how easy it is to set up and monitor. I chose a 150ah GC12 Interstate for my TAB teardrop replacing a 75ah group 12 that was too little charging. Currently "gunshy" about moving to LiFePO4 yet as the complexity is daunting at this point.
*Super compact and easy to carry and travel with accessories for the electric **Generater.Systems** .I was worried this was going to be bulky or hard to use.Hooks up easy and charges quickly*
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the great review Jim. Very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
x
Jim, I'm ordering the system this week. I have a 1000 watt Renogy system as a back up at home, this suitcase set up is to civilize my camping trips. I saw this on the Renogy site, but no video reviews. Thanks for creating and posting your video.
Sounds great!
Hi Jim! I came here for the solar panel review. I don't like RV's.... I don't want to do vacations on one....but my god! Your Airstream is just gorgeous!
I would love to have one, just for the looks of it! I bet you are a proud owner! Congratulations!
By the way, nice review!
Thanks Daniel. I chose the Airstream because of its value retention. That's my Scottish heritage coming out! I am still working on my video production values. Hope I can do make them better in the future.
I'm looking at the same system. Thanks for posting.
Hope you enjoy it!
Great review, helped in making decision on whether to buy!.
Just found you and I’m a subscriber! Nice job Jim!
Panels were purchased at Renogy site on E bay.
Nice review let us know how it's working for you.
Used it in Oklahoma while Boondocking last month, We got a bout 28 A-Hr of electricity on an overcast day, replacing the energy I used overnight running the furnace, pump and lights. Kept the batteries topped up. I moved it once at noon from east facing to west facing.
excellent video, just purchased one .
I have heard that Renogy was a good solar panel. I was wonder about the extension cables to move the panels away. I would like to get some solar panel. I did buy a harbor freight panels but do need an up grade thank for the vidio. this sounds like it might work for me.
In similar shoes, but also put in lithium 280 ah. Added a victron 30 amp dc to dc charger and all is good with the world. BTW, with lead acid batteries, you really only have half the rated capacity, if you take them below 12.3 volts they degrade quickly. Do it five times and they are shot.
That’s a nice setup, what did it cost for the total system?
My first set of Interstate deep discharge batteries lasted 7 years so I went with those.
@@jim9404 If you go to diysolarforum, you can find a section there for DIY lithium builds. My battery, which I built early summer of 2020, cost about $650 or so for everything. It fits in a group 31 battery box, weighs less than 50 lbs, and is the functional equivalent of about 7 of the batteries that the rv dealer "gives" you when you buy an RV. I used eve 280ah cells and a Daly 200 amp BMS. Changing from lead acid to lithium is equivalent in a sense to adding significantly to your solar panel count. The round trip efficiency of a charge cycle is near 100%, what goes in comes out.
Jim, thanks for posting. I just purchased the same exact Renogy 200w suitcase (not the new Eclipse style panels). Also bought a set of 20’ 10AWG MC4 style extension cables. I have yet to get first light on the panels (darn weather and work schedule). Have you been able to measure the voltage drop from the charge controller to the battery introduced by the length of the extension cables? Thank again for posting!
Glad I could help! I measured a couple of tenths of a volt drop through the 30 foot cables at 8 Amps in full sun,
CD ft to
I was told the correct way to use the extension is to connect between the solar panel and controller, not controller and battery ?
Yes, the best way is to have the charge controller as close tot the battery as you can. I did not do this because the charge controller is attached to the solar panel and I wanted to leave all that together as a unit. What you give up is a little bit of charging efficiency because of the voltage drop in the extension. Life is full of compromises.
Any relation to Pete Benham from Ohio?
Measured the voltage drop today, it was 0.2 V at 6 Amps
I have now removed the controller from the solar panels and put it at the battery end of my extension cables to get a little bit better performance.
JIm - Nicely done. Can you give more details on the 30ft cables/connections you use? Thanks!
"BougeRV 30 Feet 10AWG Solar Extension Cable with Female and Male Connector with Extra Free Pair of Connectors Solar Panel Adaptor Kit Tool (30FT Red + 30FT Black)" Available from Amazon. You will have to crimp the unattached connector on yourself.
Follow Up - Today is a nice sunny day, I put the panels out for a test at noon and they are producing about 6 A into the batteries at 14.6 V. The batteries are a pair of flooded lead acid. Interstate SRM 24 in parallel. The voltage drop in the 30 foot cable is 0.2 volts from the controller to the battery terminals.
I know this is an old video but can you add a 100 watt Renogy penal into this solar controller so you can have 300 watts? Can the controller handle an additional 100 watts?
The controller is rated at 20 Amps, It is my experience that The two panels I have, put out about 10 amps in bright sunlight. You should call Renogy to get an expert opinion.
Thanks for posting! Where did you purchase the panels?
The panels were purchased form the Renogy store on E -bay. Great deals there.
Renogy Store on E-bay
Hi Jim,
Where did you buy that MC4 to SAE adaptor and the SAE panel connector?
Amazon
Can you add links to the extension cord you bought?
Bouge has extension cables from 10 ft to 100 ft in AWG 10 and 12 See them at this link www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BRFPD6R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
That’s a bautifull thing jim nice review douch.
What does this cost?
Prices vary. Go the Renogy store on e Bay.com for the latest offering.
Thanks I have the same system and the same 2 interstate batteries, what batteries type did you choose when setting you the Renogy ?
I am using a set of 7 year old Interstate Group 24 flooded lead acid batteries. These batteries have lasted a long time. I believe it is because when in storage they are always connected to a 15 w solar panel with a Morningstar charge controller, and I never discharge them below 50%. I have used that same setup on my sailboats for years with good results.
Jim, so in the Renogy control
Panel you chose lead acid ? Just wondering what battery type you select in the control panel or does it do it automatically? I’m going to set up this weekend
@@douglasbenham3349 Yes, I set up the battery type in the control panel the first time I hooked up to the battery before hooking up to the solar panel. Follow instructions provided with the panel as your controller may be different than mine,
how to deter theft?
Long steel cable from a garage door, looped around a tree or picnic table and locked.
I have a padlock and a steel cable (Use one from a garage door or an old sailboat stay)
I bought “wsdcam 113db wireless anti-theft alarm” on amazon and stuck it to the underside. Even if you tap the panel, it gives off a warning alarm. Loud!
@@jim9404 Standard thief bolt cutters will cut the garage-type-cable but it is better than nottin and will keep all the non-pros away. Airstream well-deserves its reputation. Aircraft-grade body that helps them last forever.
Doubt you will ever going to get near 20 amps from a 200w panel
Gary, that is true, probably around 10 Amps is the max I could get, and average current is going to be much less. On a sunny summer day , that should be enough to replace about half my 2 battery capacity. That was my goal since I can typically go two days on a full charge.
Gary - I suspect that he was referring to the CC rating as 20a and probably has read the label on the panels and now has experience to know that in bright sun the panels properly aimed will produce about 8a/150v which is 200w equivalent to the 4a per panel i get from my Renogy 100w panel. Nice video though to tell folks how easy it is to set up and monitor. I chose a 150ah GC12 Interstate for my TAB teardrop replacing a 75ah group 12 that was too little charging. Currently "gunshy" about moving to LiFePO4 yet as the complexity is daunting at this point.
oops meant 8a/150w not 150v
P