We're about to test drive that suitcase. We bought it and had it shipped to the campground here in San Antonio. We roll for Big Bend Friday and hope the solar suitcase will keep the batteries up enough to avoid too much generator use. I HATE listening to a generator in a peaceful campground. That said, we did book into the "generator allowed" area to make sure we can recharge for the fridge and such as needed.
Advice from solar experienced people is greatly appreciated. What we know or think we know:
- We have the original golf cart batteries - Interstate wet/flooded - Two 6v, deep cycle in series. We found info that says we hook the solar panel's jumper cable type connectors to the positive terminal on battery one and negative terminal on battery two. Our batteries are side by side with (1) on the left and (2) on the right. Hooked up this way, our 12 v suitcase charges our 12 volt battery bank.
- the suitcase has a shortish cord, maybe ten feet, so I know we may not get to full sun. I hoped to order an extension but a review for the suitcase says it uses a different connector than the other Renogy panels and it says you need to make your own. I haven't contacted Renogy to see if that's true and we'll be rolling soon so can't get delivery in time if they do sell one. Our test run will be with the supplied cord.
- There are basically three parts to this system: Battery, Controller, Solar Panel. Renogy instructions say you HAVE to hook the batteries to the controller BEFORE you hook the controller to the solar panel with the exception of the solar suitcase. The solar suitcase has the controller hardwired to the solar panel so you cannot connect the controller to the batteries first. We are assuming they know what they are doing and we won't zap anything (or anyone) when we set this up. Does anyone know WHY you normally hook up this way? I assume permanent panels mounted to the roof of an RV are permanently wired to the controller so if the battery is removed then reconnected, you would have the same situation as the portable panel we have.
- Some reviewers state that they throw blankets or towels over the panels while they are hooking up to avoid solar gain and the possibility of sparks or getting zapped. The Renogy instructions say nothing about this. Is this being overly cautious or is there a reason for it? Our folding suitcase panel has a zipper bag that we might be able to keep on the panels and lay face down on the ground while we hook up.
- One reviewer stated he detaches the controller from the back of the panel (velcro) and lets it hang by the wires while in use to avoid excess heat from the back of the panel affecting the controller (and to make it easier for him/her to read the display). Does this make sense?
- We read that you should place the controller as close to the batteries as possible to make it all more efficient. With the controller mounted to the panels with at least ten feet of cable between them, is this a big issue? Does anyone know the power loss over distance? (example: so much per foot or some such)?
This is our first foray into using solar so any help is appreciated. We regret not getting panels mounted when we purchased and will probably get them eventually if this little suitcase experiment works out. We'll know how far a 100w panel takes us.
