Portable solar panel with legacy elite 2 platinum package

[Brian H.]

Hello all Hull #1633. Does anyone use a portable solar panel for a little extra charge power with a LE2 platinum package.  The trailer has 400 watts of solar and i have a 100w Renogy suit case panel that i used with my old trailer.  I already have the adapter to go from Renogy to Zamp.  Is the extra 100W worth it and is there any problem with doing this?

Thanks in advance.

[topgun2]

Given the right time (sun) and place (security for the panels) then more is better.  If you have the room and payload capacity to take the panels with you - then - why not?  There is nothing to "hurt" and only more energy to gain.

Bill

[Galway Girl]

We use 200w Renogy panels when dry camping or boon docking for more than 3 days in one place.

See our article.

External Solar Kit Details - Hull 505

We've found that it's helpful when the trailer is shaded by tree's and we want to keep things topped off for longer stays.

CS

[Brian H.]

Great info! Thanks

[Tom and Doreen]

We have the "portable" solar panel that Oliver sells, which is essentially the same one that's on the roof but includes a controller.  We found it too bulky and heavy to bring along camping so we use it during the winter to maintain the batteries when the camper is covered and not being used. 

It's good to have a light weight panel to supplement the roof-top panels when camping in shaded areas. 

 

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Brian H. said:

Is the extra 100W worth it and is there any problem with doing this?

Welcome Brian, looking forward to hearing more re your project(s)!

Is it worth it? An extra 100W is a drop in the bucket, although aimed at the sun it is more efficient compared to each 100W on the roof. We added a Victron MPPT 30A SC and the 30-LB Renogy 400W suitcase. I've found almost 2 years later that we rarely use it and should have saved the upgrade $$$. Wish somebody told me this 2 years ago!

We move around a bit. I now believe extra solar is for those who want to boondock in one place for a week or longer. And you have to chase the sun all day in moving panels. There is an Oliver owner who sells a machine that rotates the panel, but it's another thing to carry and it only holds one panel. The only guys I see running much solar are the ones that live in their campers, staying the 14-day limit on BLM lands.

Since we move around a bit, sometimes just one overnight, most often we stay 3 nights and then "on the road again." In this use case the DC-2-DC charger is a much greater value. We can charge 200 Ah while towing a half day drive. 😎

Our 400W suitcase will not add 200Ah babysitting them all day on the sunniest of days! Here are my two related upgrade links: 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by jd1923