Hello all,

Are the Renogy panels still the way to go?   I have the r-pod 180 with the built in solar wiring.  Does switching the connectors still apply?  

Also.....I have a boat and a JetSki, can these panels/controller be used to charge this stuff as well? 

Maintaining all of the toy batteries is such a pain/hassle. 

I have a Renogy suitcase 100 watt and am happy with it. yes, you need to switch the polarity. the Renogy came with alligator clips on the end' bought a mini-plug that matched the solar input on the 179 and reversed the wires when splicing in the new plug. Works great. Can't answer your questions about other toys though.

Watts divided by volts --> Amps   120 watts / 12 v yields at 100% 10 amps/hr. But 100% is not realistic.  I found I can harvest 40 to 50 amp/hrs per day with a fairly clear(blue sky) day with not too many moves of the panels to keep them aimed optimally at the sun.  I find on the controller I'm getting 7 to 8 amp/hr in full sun with good panel angle.

 I went with 120watts for just a little more capacity.  I have 2 - #27 batteries having about ~160amp/hr total capacity -- so if I use them to 50% (use 80amp/hr), I can get them back to 100% with two days solar harvest.  So far, with frig running on propane, it's hard for me to use 80amp/hr per day.  I'm working on getting an inverter setup so I can run the TV/Microware, (but not the A/C).  Yes, Zamp a bit more, but I do love the plug and play attributes, and I like the charge controller that comes with it.

Hi - the process is very simple and easy. This is the unit that I have and use for my 179:

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-foldable-solar-suitcase-w-voyager/ - https://www.renogy.com/renogy-100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-foldable-solar-suitcase-w-voyager/

As it says in the description, the wires that feed out of the solar panel controller (one red, one black) come with alligator clips on the end of them (intended to be attached directly to the trailer battery). In order to be able to plug directly into the solar port on the side of the trailer, you need to do change the connectors from alligator clips to a two-wire flat wiring plug that will fit into the trailer connection. Any decent RV supply store or local hardware or auto parts store will have one; they only cost a few bucks. They look like this:

https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM47965.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgMnYBRDRARIsANC2dfm6PPV4RCaHl8t3Rm9S2-P_17eolfLOZT01_vXXLbeILgvHuhMihyYaAiwHEALw_wcB - https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM47965.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgMnYBRDRARIsANC2dfm6PPV4RCaHl8t3Rm9S2-P_17eolfLOZT01_vXXLbeILgvHuhMihyYaAiwHEALw_wcB

Basically, what you do is clip the wires off of the alligator clips, and connect them to the wires on the plug that you'll use to attach it into the trailer (make sure you use the end that will fit into the trailer connection point). When you do so, reverse the wires - the red end from the solar panel goes to the black end of the plug, and the black end  from the solar panel goes to the red wire on the plug. 

Best way to connect the wires together securely is to use butt splice connectors - Google it and you'll see what they are. Local hardware stores will carry them - take the wire with you to get the right size. They work best with a crimping tool. but it a pinch I've done them with Vice Grip pliers.

Good luck - very easy to do, I've used the Renogy panels on several trips now. At the end of the day, the battery is always back to fully charged. Of course bad weather will reduce their efficiency.  Be aware that while its ok to expose the panels themselves to rain, the controller is not waterproof, so don't leave it out and exposed to rain (not going to do much good anyway).

Hope this helps!

ok !! I have everything needed to connect the solar panels. BUT I'm not sure which end of the flat wiring plug to connect??? both ends fit into the trailer port the only difference is the wires are opposite 

>>>> on one end the red wire is attached to the enclosed insert and the white attached to the exposed insert. the wires are flipped on the opposite side  

I have no clue of what I'm doing.

 HELP   Thanks!!!

Cheryl

You need to figure out which side of the receptacle is  positive (+) and which is negative (-). Do you have a small volt/ohm meter (cheap ones available at Harbor Freight). Take the probes and with the black side touching the frame, insert the red one into each side of the receptacle. Since you have the negative grounded to the frame, when you probe the positive terminal, you will get a 12V reading (provided that solar wires are connected to the appropriate terminal of each battery).

Once you know that, then your instructions should point you in the right direction for making sure the polarity is correct when you plug it in.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZR3RNP/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B074ZR3RNP&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=1713835751726239774&pf_rd_r=JPRPX43SZKS17AFGN6GA&pd_rd_wg=LpeXg&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=SR2m5&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=50bcbd9d-7d67-11e8-8e7e-17cfb07cabb5

 

Thank you!!!! its working!!!  I would LOVE to say I figured it out by myself …but I chickened out and call in reinforcements! But we now have SOLAR!!! yipeeeee

Cheryl  

PS I went to harbor freight this am and picked up the tv swivel arm....now how long will it take me to muster up my courage for this one?? 

{I still have the window for the door in a box!!!!}