R-pod Owners Forum : Solar panel suitcase http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Solar panel suitcase Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 00:28:15 +0000 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 21:48:48 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12744 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Solar panel suitcase : Don't leave something partially... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122678#122678 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:48pm

Don't leave something partially shading a solar cell in a PV module, unless you really don't like that module. Not only will it greatly reduce the whole module's output but what happens under partial cell shading is you can dump the whole output of the module through that one cell.  I can take any module you have and shade one of the cells in it just the right amount and in about 5 minutes melt the module encapsulant and maybe even the solder connecting the cells together. 

Its not that critical that you need to fiddle around pointing a solar module at the sun all day. The  best utility scale dual axis sun tracking systems that follow the sun perfectly gain you about 25-30% over just tilting your solar module south at your lattitude angle. Just bring a compass or a smarphone and put it in a place where you get sun all day facing south and don't worry about it. Enjoy camping instead!
]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 21:48:48 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122678#122678 Solar panel suitcase : You might want to seriously consider... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122675#122675 Author: DavMar
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 7:55pm

You might want to seriously consider paralleling another 12 Volt battery. Or if you can sell the 12Vdc battery and buying two 6 Volt batteries and placing them is series to give you more amp hours since you plan on boondocking allot. ]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 19:55:35 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122675#122675 Solar panel suitcase : If you do, be sure to remove... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122666#122666 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 6:52pm

If you do, be sure to remove the dart...blocking even one cell in a panel can reduce the output of the entire panel.

It's easy to see the shadow behind the panel and set it up properly. In fact, once your batteries are fully charged and holding, you can relax your attendance a bit. 

It's a good idea after sunset to set up the panel for the morning sun, but if there is any chance of wind at night, be sure to secure the panel with a bungee or use a weight on the stand, whichever applies.
]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 18:52:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122666#122666 Solar panel suitcase : Someone on here had a trick, stick... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122665#122665 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 6:26pm

Someone on here had a trick, stick a suction cup dart on the panel and turn the panel until the dart has no shadow to get the most direct sunlight.
]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 18:26:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122665#122665 Solar panel suitcase : That's all there is to it.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122664#122664 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 5:48pm

That's all there is to it.  I also came up with a longer cord.  I don't babysit it, but I do turn it to follow the sun a few times a day if I can.  Of course how well this works depends on the sun.  Trees or clouds can have a big impact on how well it will work.

TT
]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 17:48:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122664#122664 Solar panel suitcase : That is exactly how I use mine.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122653#122653 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 3:33pm

That is exactly how I use mine. Only modification I made is to add a longer cable, so that I can keep the panels out in sun without me having to park the Pod in full sun (when there is shade available). Easy to keep my single 12 v battery at full charge. We dont get much cloudy weather out here in the west, though.]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 15:33:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122653#122653 Solar panel suitcase : Like to boondock. Do not like... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122652#122652 Author: J and B
Subject: 12744
Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 3:21pm

Like to boondock.  Do not like to run down my one 12 volt battery. .  So.....will a 'Renogy 100 Watt, 12 volt, 2 pcs 50 W Solar Panel suitcase with 20A Controller"...……….will this do the trick?  Clip it to my battery, that's it?  Anything else needed?  Just want to keep my battery charged up.  (keep things simple, do not use a lot of stuff when boondocking)  Thank you.  ]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2019 15:21:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12744&PID=122652#122652