Alternative choice to Furrion Solar Panel.

[tyler811]

Our Salem Lite BHXL 201 has the solar plug 10 amp plug built in. Would would a decent alternative to the very expensive Furrion solar panel?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by tyler811

Our Salem Lite BHXL 201 has the solar plug 10 amp plug built in. Would would a decent alternative to the very expensive Furrion solar panel?

What do you consider expensive? Renogy makes some good panels for what I consider reasonable prices. You can buy the adapter to go from the fitting to the panels. I have a 100 watt Renogy suitcase kit that I use to keep the batteries topped up.

Aaron [emoji41]

[tyler811]

Furrion panels are about $429 through Amazon. I have the plug thanks

[carlsbad]

Renogy.

[dtptrson]

Renogy

[TitanMike]

Solar panels may be poised for a huge drop in price. China has cancelled several huge PV projects which some are saying will cause a glut on the market of the panels. That usually means prices will drop drastically.

That combined with the normal trend for tech products, where initial prices are high and over the years they drop considerably, I'm thinking that by Christmas we'll see some really economical solar kits.

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by tyler811

Our Salem Lite BHXL 201 has the solar plug 10 amp plug built in. Would would a decent alternative to the very expensive Furrion solar panel?

Coleman 100 watt panel and research the connector on the FR forum. I have one and needed the wiring run directly to the battery - not the 2 different directions they were going.

[PSU Turf]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

Coleman 100 watt panel and research the connector on the FR forum. I have one and needed the wiring run directly to the battery - not the 2 different directions they were going.

Does the Coleman have a built in charge controller? A solar panel can put out close to 20 volts. Voltage that high will wreck a battery fast. ( and boil off all of the water in the battery)

[Duckogram]

Portable units such as Renogy offer more versatility than roof mounted but that comes at the cost of convenience and security. I chose the 100w briefcase because it fits my needs.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1798988
YMMV

[Carpercb]

Beware! The term "Solar Ready" is a sales gimmick. It is nothing more than a convenient connection to the RV's battery. You cannot simply hook up any solar panel directly to that connection. You must have a charge controller to control the charge voltage and rate. The only solar setup that can be directly wired to the Solar Ready connection is something such as a Solar Suitcase which has the controller built into it. That said, Solar Suitcases come with battery alligator clips so you can clip it directly to the RV battery.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Solar panels may be poised for a huge drop in price. China has cancelled several huge PV projects which some are saying will cause a glut on the market of the panels. That usually means prices will drop drastically.

That combined with the normal trend for tech products, where initial prices are high and over the years they drop considerably, I'm thinking that by Christmas we'll see some really economical solar kits.

I have seen this info posted a couple of times now and while it is not without some merit, it is out of context. The projects that Beijing has cancelled are all “utility scale” systems. That will most likely have it’s trickle down effect on large scale projects but there is little indication that it will impact the type of systems we are talking about here in a way that would really benefit your wallet any more than the price of gas.
If anybody is interested enough to get the full story in context, you can find it in Forbes. YMMV

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

I have seen this info posted a couple of times now and while it is not without some merit, it is out of context. The projects that Beijing has cancelled are all “utility scale” systems. That will most likely have it’s trickle down effect on large scale projects but there is little indication that it will impact the type of systems we are talking about here in a way that would really benefit your wallet any more than the price of gas.
If anybody is interested enough to get the full story in context, you can find it in Forbes. YMMV

I agree that the largest effect will be on large scale items but the various materials that go into the smaller residential or portable systems will be in greater supply and thus drive prices down to a point.

Overall, I see solar costs going down just like Lithium batteries and other such components. Just think what a 200 watt solar "suitcase" unit would have cost 10 years ago

[mmgolfmiester]

I bought a 45 watt solar panel from Harbor Freight and there solar charger controller and bought the furrion adapter on Amazon and soldered to the plug it keeps both my 12 volt batteries topped off everyday and I'll go for 5 to 7 days dry camping I know everyone bashes the Harbor Freight solar panels but I've been using this one for years and it works great for me

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by mmgolfmiester

I bought a 45 watt solar panel from Harbor Freight and there solar charger controller and bought the furrion adapter on Amazon and soldered to the plug it keeps both my 12 volt batteries topped off everyday and I'll go for 5 to 7 days dry camping I know everyone bashes the Harbor Freight solar panels but I've been using this one for years and it works great for me

While the 45 watt panel may be adequate for your needs, most will find it grossly inadequate for boondocking. My battery bank is a total of 260 amp hours and charging from 50% discharge, the 3.3 amp output (assuming perfect alignment to full sun throughout charging period) would take almost two days to return to full charge.

I would see a panel of that size as perfect for maintaining batteries while the TT is in storage and no shore power is available.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by tyler811

Our Salem Lite BHXL 201 has the solar plug 10 amp plug built in. Would would a decent alternative to the very expensive Furrion solar panel?

Renogy.com or a bit less expensive usually, WindyNation.com.

Both good products competitively priced.

Go with 100 watt or 200 watts to really keep batteries up. For the extra money, renogy or zamp make nice pre fabbed Suitcase or Brief case folding panel setups. But if you are crafty keep cost down a fabricate your own portable setup. Or do what I did and go roof mounted.

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by PSU Turf

Does the Coleman have a built in charge controller? A solar panel can put out close to 20 volts. Voltage that high will wreck a battery fast. ( and boil off all of the water in the battery)

understood. unless the trailer has a built in charge controller to limit overcharging (an d I don't know any which do) you will have to acquire one. they are fairly cheap. I got ours at Harbour Freight in Maine

[carlsbad]

Buy a Renogy panel and this:

https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/sunkeeper/

It attaches directly to the back of the panel and is waterproof. Buy the 25’ lead set with the alligator clamps.

For less than $200 you have a portable, regulated system of better quality.

[Leatherman]

I too have a Renogy system. I have 2x 100w panels (200w) and is expandable to 4x 100w panels. I also purchased their 30A controller. Works great topping off the batteries.

I still have my inverter that I use for the DW's hair dryer, etc.

[tyler811]

The plug is rated 10 amps but there is a 7.5 amp in line fuse. What is the biggest panel I could run?

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by tyler811

The plug is rated 10 amps but there is a 7.5 amp in line fuse. What is the biggest panel I could run?

Based on your number and assuming a bulk charge voltage number, 100w would be the assumed maximum.

Here is a tool for your box: https://www.supercircuits.com/resour...amps-converter