Dimension: 47 x 1.5 x 20.9 Inches. If you purchase the optional MPPT expansion module you could add an additional two Boulder 200. The voltage values of each panel are added up together, and the amperage values are not added up and stay the same no matter how many solar panels you connect in series. You’ll attach the brackets first to the panels, then attach the brackets to the OEM Sprinter Van roof rails. While their solar kits do not allow you to upgrade the charge controller, we think the kits are a great value for someone new to solar and the easiest way to get your system up and running. Why We Love It. Before mounting your panels, make sure that you connect them with screws so you can easily adjust or remove them from their position. I'm buying solar panels today on Amazon. See model 2.8.2. If you are connecting two 100 Watt panels in series, and each panel has an output of 18.9 volts, you will end up with 200W (37.8 Volts and 5.29 amps under optimum conditions). A great way to keep your camping energy-efficient and safe is by adding solar panels to your RV. One of the most challenging aspects of this project was deciding where to put the charge controller, inverter, on/off switches, breakers, fuses and where to run wires. Most of the store bought remote panels come with a charge controller built in and simply connect to the battery bank with a set of power cables with alligator clamps on the end. Thanks! We also ran a bead of silicon between the panels and between the aluminum and panels. All in all, I’m really pleased with how the whole system is performing , I’m wondering if you’d be able to tell me what mounting brackets you used. Also, if we ever wanted to change it, we could do so by redoing the exposed wires on the roof, so don’t get too hung up on this question. These connections are perfect for hooking up your Renogy solar suitcase or panels to your RV. This allowed us to only use four brackets (see link below) to mount the panel to our OEM roof rails. The Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel Kit is a high-efficiency monocrystalline system running at around 21% efficiency. Take this time at home and knock out some home improvement tasks! When your panels are connected in series, the operational voltage of the panels is added together. In order for the energy from your Solar Panels to reach your Battery Bank without serious loss of power, you will need to calculate the proper size of wires to use. These connectors come in 12 AWG and are just over 10.5 inches long. Make sure that you lead the wire into the battery terminal of the charge controller and match the + and – to the battery + and -. The Cable connectors on the back of the Renogy are marked with + and – to depict positive and negative, respectfully. We then ran these wires in the loom across the roof toward the side of the van to connect to the charge controller. Our batteries were usually back at 100% by late morning and that was after running our rear door cargo lights for hours at night. When hooking up your Renogy system, the best way to add protection is by using fuses or circuit breakers. If you have consistent and larger energy needs, roof-mounted panels are typically the way to go. These connectors come in 12 AWG and are just over 10.5 inches long. First, you need to find out the total installed power WP for your solar array. Fuses and circuit breakers are used to protect the wiring from getting too hot and protect all devices connected in the system from catching fire or getting damaged if a short circuit occurs. Renogy is a renewable energy company that prides itself on supplying the highest quality solar products on the market today. Once the brackets are attached to the panels you can put the whole thing up on your roof, but don’t tighten it down yet. Instead of having to mount panels to a roof, portable solar panels are typically available as folding suitcase panel kits that can easily be set up and angled on the ground. Before hooking it up I installed 2 – 30 amp fuses for circuit protection, one fuse inside the battery box in the battery positive line and the other on the wall in the solar panel positive line. We opted to do ours in series, largely because we had a time crunch to get them done and I didn’t want to wait for another part the (Y connectors) from Amazon. We will make sure to include the inverter, battery, charge controller, panel and wiring in this set up. Renogy new MC4 to SAE connector is perfect for those trying to wire SAE solar ready RVs. For our two 100W panels there are a few options for mounting them to the roof. We bought them from a small manufacturer on eBay (link in the article). These connectors come in 12 AWG and are just over 10.5 in. When solar panels are wired in series, the voltage of the panels adds together, but the amperage remains the same. It’s simple. First, we had to remove the drivers seat, since this is where we were going to hook in to our existing house battery system. Ideally, you want a panel set up that will be able to charge your batteries fully every day. ... Wire up your system with our assortment of Adaptor Kits, Tray Cables, and Inverter Cables. Check Price at Amazon That link brings you to a page that offers both and the reviews have people arguing over the correct sizing. Make going solar easy with the MC4 to SAE connector! Safety is your number one priority so remove all batteries cables before you do anything. Click on 'Calculate' to see the size wire required in AWG (American Wire Gauge). When they are in series, shading on one slows them both down. Instead of mounting to a roof, portable solar panels come in different forms and are often available as folding suitcase panel kits that can be set up on the ground or flexible panels that can be mounted or hung from your vehicle or other vertical surfaces. Solar panels are wired in series when you connect the positive terminal of one panel to the negative terminal of another. The best price among those I'll consider is $0.89/W for 4 Newpowa monocrystalline 180W panels (Amazon: B0772PD96K). There are pros and cons to both approaches. Solar panels from companies like Renogy and HQST have a positive MC4 male connector and a negative MC4 female connector. Enter Solar Panel output voltage. Almost all of it can be taken out (bed, soft cabinet, rear seats) without much trouble. The 7 Best Renogy Solar Panels of 2020 . Right photovoltaic technology for more efficient solar … After that, get on the roof get it exact measurements. Next up, you need to determine the maximum charge current (IcMax) – divide the IC by 1.2, which is the NEC safety factor. We also installed a 20A breaker along the positive wire from the charge controller to the battery. In order to simplify this, we will break it down into three parts. What type bolt did you use to attach the brackets, i.e. Weight: 16.5 Pounds. You need to understand how different stringing configurations impact the voltage, current, and power of a solar array. In the series connection the voltages of all solar panels are summed up and the current is maintained the same for all the panels. Connecting the MC4 connections together from the panel to the adapter cable is EASY. This will eliminate any possibility of you getting an electric shock while installing the solar system. We also put in a 10A MC4 in-line fuse along the positive wire up near the solar panel on the roof. We decided to attach each panel to one another, essentially forming one unit capable of producing 200 Watts. Instead of mounting to a roof, portable solar panels come in different forms and are often available as folding suitcase panel kits that can be set up on the ground or flexible panels that can be mounted or hung from your vehicle or other vertical surfaces. All of the 300 +/- panels we found were just too big. These solar panels and battery systems like yours. Twitter Share on linkedin. Just as I thought I had all my questions about this answered, I received my Renogy 110 amp solar panels the other day, opened up the case, and to my dismay, the cable is … Make going solar easy with the Solar Connector to SAE connector! These are things like your panels, batteries, etc. Each Renogy product is manufactured according to the highest quality standards, while still keeping in mind that our customers appreciate a great value. 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