Harbor Freight Solar Panels

R

robert peesel

New member
Jan 7, 2011
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Good afternoon!
Our HF is having a sale this weekend and they are offering their 100w solar panel system for $146 (hopefully they will take a coupon on it as well.)

Does anyone have any experience with this system?

I'd like to power my greenhouse as well as add a solar system to the GMC but am a bit wary about whether or not these panels will be robust enough.

Bob

--
Robert Peesel

1976 Royale 26'

Side Dry Bath

Conifer, Colorado
 
I've seen people review these on Youtube, it looks like it's really 4x25w
panels. If you're thinking of mounting it on the roof you'd need a lot of
space, you can get 100w panels that are the similar size to just 1 of the
25w pannels. You can find 100w panels on amazon for $100, you can probably
find an inexpensive charge controller too. It might be good for the
greenhouse, but I don't think it would be that great for the GMC.

--
Ethan James
1976 Glenbrook 26'
Roanoke, VA

> Good afternoon!
> Our HF is having a sale this weekend and they are offering their 100w
> solar panel system for $146 (hopefully they will take a coupon on it as
> well.)
>
> Does anyone have any experience with this system?
>
> I'd like to power my greenhouse as well as add a solar system to the GMC
> but am a bit wary about whether or not these panels will be robust enough.
>
> Bob
>
>
> --
> Robert Peesel
>
> 1976 Royale 26'
>
> Side Dry Bath
>
> Conifer, Colorado
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Thanks Ethan,

That is kind of what I expected. For the Greenhouse the panels can act as a shade on the roof, so the four panels would be just fine.

Bob
--
Robert Peesel

1976 Royale 26'

Side Dry Bath

Conifer, Colorado
 
I got my SolarWorld SW345 XL panels for 80 cents a watt last year and the
prices are coming down. SolarWorld is a name bard with a 20-year
warenty and not the cheapest panel out there. Be careful with what looks
like a good price.
I saw a youtube video today that said they were buying 25-watt panels for
$7 each.

> I've seen people review these on Youtube, it looks like it's really 4x25w
> panels. If you're thinking of mounting it on the roof you'd need a lot of
> space, you can get 100w panels that are the similar size to just 1 of the
> 25w pannels. You can find 100w panels on amazon for $100, you can probably
> find an inexpensive charge controller too. It might be good for the
> greenhouse, but I don't think it would be that great for the GMC.
>
> --
> Ethan James
> 1976 Glenbrook 26'
> Roanoke, VA
>

>
> > Good afternoon!
> > Our HF is having a sale this weekend and they are offering their 100w
> > solar panel system for $146 (hopefully they will take a coupon on it as
> > well.)
> >
> > Does anyone have any experience with this system?
> >
> > I'd like to power my greenhouse as well as add a solar system to the GMC
> > but am a bit wary about whether or not these panels will be robust
> enough.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> >
> > --
> > Robert Peesel
> >
> > 1976 Royale 26'
> >
> > Side Dry Bath
> >
> > Conifer, Colorado
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
The best bet I have found on solar panels is Advanced Power (707) 485-0588. very close to lowest price/watt for panels, matched charge controllers, 25 or so years of experience. Also has all the bits and pieces to make things work.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Ethan James"
To: "gmclist"
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 8:06:24 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Harbor Freight Solar Panels

I've seen people review these on Youtube, it looks like it's really 4x25w
panels. If you're thinking of mounting it on the roof you'd need a lot of
space, you can get 100w panels that are the similar size to just 1 of the
25w pannels. You can find 100w panels on amazon for $100, you can probably
find an inexpensive charge controller too. It might be good for the
greenhouse, but I don't think it would be that great for the GMC.

--
Ethan James
1976 Glenbrook 26'
Roanoke, VA

> Good afternoon!
> Our HF is having a sale this weekend and they are offering their 100w
> solar panel system for $146 (hopefully they will take a coupon on it as
> well.)
>
> Does anyone have any experience with this system?
>
> I'd like to power my greenhouse as well as add a solar system to the GMC
> but am a bit wary about whether or not these panels will be robust enough.
>
> Bob
>
>
> --
> Robert Peesel
>
> 1976 Royale 26'
>
> Side Dry Bath
>
> Conifer, Colorado
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I have a Renogy 100W that works great. With the small amount of power our coaches use (no electronics) I've found the one panel keeps me off grid
with batteries charged for over a week.

What I want is a flexible panel, and I want to mount it to the storage pod. The Renogy lives in the pod and I set it up each time. It's too heavy to
mount to the pod without reinforcement.

So, I guess I'd advocate going a little more in $$ and get something super easy to attach to the roof. Also, look for monocrystaline, they give you
more watts for your area
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013E07FNM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_13?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A18M12GR6V2Z8F

what I have now, I had to buy additional 20' cables. Very high reviews, mine is 2 years old and even kept my new SOB charged up with only 1/2 a day
of light for over a week (once I removed the LP solenoid valve that was a 1amp draw all the time)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L6EFA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

kelly

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
I'm a big advocate of harbor freight. If you know what you're looking for they offer some great tools and prices.
Their solar panels are however not worth looking at.
They are selling many year outdated parts for prices higher than stuff from this solar era.

I have 2 flexible 100w panels (~150 each) mounted to each side of the fan up front and find it more than sufficient for our couch.

--
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
 
Kelly,

That is an interesting package. How/where did you run your cables to the battery? Does it charge ALL of your batteries at the same time (house,
engine, generator)?

Bob

> I have a Renogy 100W that works great. With the small amount of power our coaches use (no electronics) I've found the one panel keeps me off grid
> with batteries charged for over a week.
>
> What I want is a flexible panel, and I want to mount it to the storage pod. The Renogy lives in the pod and I set it up each time. It's too
> heavy to mount to the pod without reinforcement.
>
> So, I guess I'd advocate going a little more in $$ and get something super easy to attach to the roof. Also, look for monocrystaline, they give
> you more watts for your area
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013E07FNM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_13?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A18M12GR6V2Z8F
>
>
> what I have now, I had to buy additional 20' cables. Very high reviews, mine is 2 years old and even kept my new SOB charged up with only 1/2 a
> day of light for over a week (once I removed the LP solenoid valve that was a 1amp draw all the time)
> For $153 this is a great deal and well tested.
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L6EFA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>
>
> kelly

--
Robert Peesel

1976 Royale 26'

Side Dry Bath

Conifer, Colorado
 
Most people run cables down through the fridge vent then to the house batteries.
To charge both the house batteries and the chassis battery you'll also need a combiner if you don't have on already
--
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
 
Like others here, I have a Renogy 100 watt system. It's more than enough to run lights and fans indefinitely (gas fridge). Combiner keeps all
batteries topped up, so I don't even bother plugging to shore power at home anymore.
--
77 Birchaven 23 w/ 455
Reno, NV
 
> I want to mount it to the storage pod. The Renogy lives in the pod and I set it up each time. It's too heavy to mount to the pod without
> reinforcement.
>
>
> kelly

Kelly,

Look through my album below. It shows how I reinforced my pod to carry the weight of a 140 watt Keyocera panel:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6227-solar-battery-charging.html
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
I have not permanently mounted the controller or the wires (or the panel). I have the controller I setup in the batter compartment (just sitting
there) and I run wires when I pull the panel out of the rooftop storage.

Eventually I'd like a permanent mount, and hidden wires. My camping is usually off grid for 4-7 days at music festivals; so I either determine I need
the panel and set it up the first day or not.

if/when I get the flexible panel and permanently mount it to the storage box then I'll likely run permanent wires.

Two POs ago there was a permanent setup; I haven't figured out where the wires went; but I know where the panels were.
this Renogy is a good package for sure

kelly

> Kelly,
>
> That is an interesting package. How/where did you run your cables to the battery? Does it charge ALL of your batteries at the same time (house,
> engine, generator)?
>
> Bob
>
>
>

> > I have a Renogy 100W that works great. With the small amount of power our coaches use (no electronics) I've found the one panel keeps me off
> > grid with batteries charged for over a week.
> >
> > What I want is a flexible panel, and I want to mount it to the storage pod. The Renogy lives in the pod and I set it up each time. It's too
> > heavy to mount to the pod without reinforcement.
> >
> > So, I guess I'd advocate going a little more in $$ and get something super easy to attach to the roof. Also, look for monocrystaline, they
> > give you more watts for your area
> > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013E07FNM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_13?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A18M12GR6V2Z8F
> >
> >
> > what I have now, I had to buy additional 20' cables. Very high reviews, mine is 2 years old and even kept my new SOB charged up with only 1/2
> > a day of light for over a week (once I removed the LP solenoid valve that was a 1amp draw all the time)
> > For $153 this is a great deal and well tested.
> > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L6EFA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> >
> >
> > kelly

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
Hi Carl, I did look at your file and how to reinforce it, awesome job. Honestly I'd rather go lighter, spend anther $200 (sell my panel) and go light
weight. I totally agree it can be done and done well.

kelly

> > I want to mount it to the storage pod. The Renogy lives in the pod and I set it up each time. It's too heavy to mount to the pod without
> > reinforcement.
> >
> >
> > kelly
>
>
>
> Kelly,
>
> Look through my album below. It shows how I reinforced my pod to carry the weight of a 140 watt Keyocera panel:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6227-solar-battery-charging.html

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
Even if you go with lighter flexible panels, you'll probably need to do some reinforcing. Those pods are REALLY flimsy.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Carl,

You're probably right, I wonder what I can get away with, maybe mount a piece of plexiglass under the panel? I don't know how flimsy the flexible
panels are. I was also considering a 50watt and mounting it on top of the AC shroud.
I'm not sure that would be enough power.

Reinforcing it probably makes it easier to open/close too

You did a great job on your pod!
kelly

> Even if you go with lighter flexible panels, you'll probably need to do some reinforcing. Those pods are REALLY flimsy.

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
Kelly,

My system could charge the two GC-2 batteries to full charge (when they are relatively fresh) from about 80% to 100% in 5 - 6 hours, even before I
added the second 55 watt panel. This is in the desert sun in the Southwest.

We are pretty conservative with our power use and only use the lights we need (LEDs) at night, sometimes the TV/DVD combo, and computers off of our
750 watt H.F. inverter. The fridge is a 3-way, so it barely uses any 12 volt power. I doubt that a 50 watt panel will do the trick for you unless
you are REALLY stingy with the power use. We sometimes run the pump, as needed, and sometimes even the furnace, but only to take the chill off first
thing in the morning.

Last Summer, we dry camped at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for five nights in a mostly shaded spot, and although we used the Onan a few times,
briefly, to heat water, we never went below about 78% on the batteries as measured by the Trimetric meter.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
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