Reviews and General Information: Eco Worthy 120 watt solar

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Eco Worthy 120 watt solar

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Printed Date: 02 May 2025 at 7:21pm
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Topic: Eco Worthy 120 watt solar

Posted By: pedwards2932
Subject: Eco Worthy 120 watt solar
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2021 at 4:11pm

I bought a ECO Worthy 120 watt suitcase solar for my boondocking part of my Maine trip

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RRNCSJN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RRNCSJN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It folds up into a small suitcase, has the charge controller and all the wires and adapters. You can probably set the panels about 20 feet from the trailer. The prop stand is a little flimsy but it works fine.

I used it to top off the battery when we stopped. It set the battery voltage to 13.7 and was putting in about 4.1 amps.......I guess the battery would have to be discharged more for it to pump out more? Sure seemed to work great for me.....only 9.5 lbs

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2021 at 4:31pm

Yep at 13.7v you're already fully charged so the charge controller is limiting output some. Pull the battery down overnight and then try it. You should get around 6.5-7 amps if it's completely clear and you point the module at the sun.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2021 at 12:28am

I bought that very same kit last month for emergency use. I am well pleased with its components and the controller. I tested it and it worked well. The charge controller is easy to adjust for my battery type. The 2 kickstands do work, I thought I'd need more, but don't, and can adjust the panel angle with their Velcro. I've had several Eco-worthy panels and all have been good.

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2021 at 7:47am

I have a question on this system. After reading up a bit on this it looks like I need to add some fuses. I would assume a 20 amp where it clamps to the battery? 10 amp from solar panel to controller?

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2021 at 11:53am

Fuses are there to protect the wires from burning up if you get a short. So if you've already run the wires then select the fuse size for those.
8 awg 40A fuse
10 AWG 30A fuse
12 awg 20A fuse

That is for the battery fuse which should go as close to the +12v battery post as possible. You do not need a fuse at the solar module because if you short a solar module nothing happens, the current it goes up by about 10%. That's because solar modules, unlike batteries, are current limited by how much sun they are getting. So even if you put a fuse there it won't blow anyway.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2021 at 12:21pm

Ok thanks. I have a clamp on system so I will just put an inline fuse on positive clamp side. I thought since the controller was a 20 amp that you would go with that. Not sure of the guage of the clamp on wires I suspect they are 12 ga but I will have to check them.

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2021 at 1:00pm

A 20A controller won't produce 20A with only a 120 watt solar module connected to it. Max would be around 10A. So if your wire size turns out to be 14 gauge which requires a 15A fuse you could do that. The problem will be that if you have a long wire run so you can move your solar modules around then you will have significant voltage drop due to wire resistance. I would run 12 Awg minimum personally.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2021 at 1:38pm

I am just using the clamp on system that it came with the 12 volt connection isn't real long maybe 10 ft and I would just be adding an inline fuse to it. The output wire for the panels is fairly long to give you enough room to set the panels where needed

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2021 at 3:47pm

It's the total wire length from the solar module to the battery that determines the voltage drop.

You can use this calculator to determine what it is. Set the power factor at 1.0 and the current at the solar module max power current (Imp) which should be printed on the label. Preferably this drop shouldn't be more than about 0.5V on a 12V system. If it's more than that consider bumping up the wire size.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2021 at 7:28pm

Reading the posts on solar panels got my interest enough to buy a Zamp 140 watt legacy portable solar panel. Amazon warehouse had it for $410.00 hope it arrives in good condition. My past experience with amazon warehouse has been mostly positive hope it continues that way when the solar panel arrives. We are hoping to use the solar panel more and our generator less. Zamp solar panels are considered pricey but for $410.00 I was willing to buy a Zamp and if it doesn't arrive in good working condition we can always return it free shipping for a full refund. The Zamp is also considered a little heavy hope too that is not a problem. 10/5/21 The solar panel arrived in very good condition I plugged it in to the Zamp connection on the camper and everything seems to work. It's heavy about 32 pounds but it is well built should out live me if I don't damage the solar panels and if the controller doesn't malfunction. I am 68 years old so the 32 pounds is a little heavy to be moving around I can do it but would rather it be a little lighter that's the only negative thing I can say about it. I set it on the propane tanks and let the top lean against the front of the camper and used a bungee strap to help secure it. I tried that to see if it works and I think in a rest area or parking lot can use it that way and have a bicycle lock that I can use for security locking the frame of solar panel to the trailer tongue. When not in use it folds and has a nice case for storage.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2021 at 10:54am

We have about four weeks of reservations at Clearwater Lake and Alexander Springs campgrounds in Florida this Winter. Our new solar panel will be helpful because both campgrounds do not have electrical hook ups we will still have our generator when needed. Will be our first time camping without electrical hook up but I think we can adjust. It will be cooler weather so AC will not be needed we can run generator if our battery gets to low or if we need the microwave. Hope we have a lot of sunny days!

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2021 at 6:46pm

Hopefully it will work out for you.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2021 at 8:10am

How much battery capacity do you have? 200 amp hours or so (dual batteries) will work much better while off grid by providing more energy storage for cloudy days as well as reducing frequency of generator operation.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2021 at 2:19pm

We only have one battery that we bought at Walmart do not remember it's amperage hours. We will just need to be careful on the amount of electricity we use. I hope the camp site we have reserved doesn't have a lot of trees and that we have many sunny days. We have been warned about the bears in that frequent the area and alligators in the surrounding lakes we will be traveling with two dogs and a cat. Never traveled with a cat before it will be a learning process with our pets and no electrical or water hook ups. No dogs are allowed around the lake I think because of the danger of alligators. I am thinking positive that we will have a great time just need to be careful.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2021 at 10:05am

Unless your very frugal with your electric usage or your tow vehicle can't tolerate the additional tongue weight (about 60-80 lbs more) you will most likely ultimately want dual batteries if you do a lot of off grid camping. It's well worth it, many of us here will only camp at places without electricity, myself included.

If you do get dual batteries, your best choice ( short of converting to Lithium) is two 6V golf cart batteries connected in series. That will have a rating of around 205-220 amp hours at 12V. Get case size GC2 batteries and a couple plastic battery cases that fit that size. You would would also need a battery jumper to connect them in series, one only.

In the meantime keep track of your battery charge level and enjoy your trip!

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2021 at 6:13am

We have been camping in Florida for almost two weeks without water or electric at our campsite. The solar panel has been a great help in keeping our battery charged we run our generator for about one hour a day. Our battery's strength averages a little over 12 volts a few times dropping a little below 12 volts at one time in reached 13.2 volts. Our biggest drain on the battery has been the refrigerator the way we are parked the sun hits the side of camper our refrigerator is on. If we had to use the furnace we would have to use generator more but thankfully we have had very warm weather averaging low sixties for lows and low eighties for highs. Thankful for the solar panel and I have seen other campers relying on their solar panels for electricity. It's been a enjoyable time camping at the campground we are staying at it's only at about 5% capacity with very few campers. Don't know why that is maybe because of the virus the weather sure has been beautiful.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2021 at 4:58am

Why would the fridge effect battery usage? You're running the fridge in propane right? When on propane fridge electric consumption is negligible.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2021 at 8:53am

I agree about the fridge not using much 12v power at all -- as long as you're running it on propane. If you're trying to run it on the battery, it will suck the juice out of it fast.

With solar, a generator, and prudent use of power, a single deep charge battery should be fine. In my experience, anyway. If you want to get into serious boondocking all the time, yeah, consider two golf car batteries.

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2021 at 2:35pm

We run it on propane but when the sun is on the side of the trailer hitting the refrigerator fan continues to run that's the only thing draining the battery there are no lights on in camper and they are led anyways they don't use much electricity. In the mornings when the sun is not hitting the refrigerator the solar meter shows battery getting stronger in voltage but when sun starts warming up outside where refrigerator is at you can hear the refrigerator fan running continuously while sun is hitting refrigerator side and meter showing voltage for battery begins to drop. Our refrigerator is not 12 volts it's either 110 volts or propane. Not sure how many amps refrigerator draws while operating by propane I am guessing its more than solar panel is producing at times. We have not had continuous sunshine there has been some clouds too the solar panel is 140 watts not sure what it has been averaging in the amount of watts it has been producing peak has been a little over 6 amps and sometimes as low as .03 amps.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2021 at 4:26pm

A 140 watt solar module willgenerate about 9-10 amps in full sunlight if it's oriented perpendicular to the sun's rays. If it's a horizontal roof mount that's never the case in the winter when the sun is low in the sky, so 6A is probably about right. You might on average get about 2 hours a day of equivalent full sun in the winter with that orientation so maybe 20 amphours of charging daily.

That's not a lot but should be enough to run your lights and probably a bit more. Not sure what fridge fan they're putting in the new larger fridges but it should be small and take very little to run. If you have a way to measure it's current draw that would be interesting info.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold