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--- electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2025/01/29 17:17]
frater_secessus [What about portable panels?]
+++ electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2025/06/23 15:28] (current)
frater_secessus [solar ready]
@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
-On the last point:  many people believe they will [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#believing_they_will_set_out_portable_panels|set out their portables any time they are stopped]];  far fewer actually do it.  And even if they set them out they are sometimes placed in shade or facing away from the sun.  We must pay attention;  solar is unforgiving.
+On the first point:  many people believe they will [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#believing_they_will_set_out_portable_panels|set out their portables any time they are stopped]];  far fewer actually do it.  And even if they set them out they are sometimes placed in shade or facing away from the sun.  We must pay attention;  solar is unforgiving.
 ===== What about flexible panels? =====
-Flex panels are very expensive by the watt.  They are a great fit for people who need to mount on a curved surface (boat hull, teardrop trailer, etc) or store/lift a portable.
+Good reasons to use flexible panels:
-Otherwise framed panels are the standard for many good reasons.
+  * you need to mount panel on a gently curved surface  (boat hull, teardrop trailer, etc)
+  * you need lightest weight for portability
+  * you are willing to tolerate higher costs and shorter life to get the above
+Bad reasons to use flexible panels:
+  * because they are "cool"
+  * because you saw an influencer use them on Insta/YT
+  * because you want to walk on them (you can't)
+Framed panels are the standard for many good reasons.  If you must use flex, consider one of the non-crystalline types (CIGS, amorphous, thin-film, etc).  It is not surprising that solid crystals a few inches wide don't like to flex.
 ===== How much solar do I need? ====
@@ Line 159: / Line 170: @@
 ==== solar ready ====
-RVs that are sold as "solar ready" typically have a connector and wiring from Zamp.  It is more apt to call it "Zamp solar kit ready" as normal panels cannot be attached to the Zamp port. Here is [[https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f221/a-frame-solar-ready-71071.html#post740529|Zamp's description of Solar Ready]], which uses panels with built-in controllers.
+The "solar ready" feature in RVs is often just an external [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_connector#SAE_connector|SAE]] port wired directly to the house battery bank (no solar charge controller controller).  In this scenario panels with built-in solar charge controllers are required.  Check polarity before attachment; some vendors (Zamp, infamously) wire them in reverse configuration from common usage.
+Example:   [[https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f221/a-frame-solar-ready-71071.html#post740529|Zamp's description of Solar Ready]], which uses panels with built-in controllers.
 It is been judged harshly by some users:
@@ Line 165: / Line 178: @@
 > “Solar Ready” doesn’t mean sh*t.   It means there is a plug wired to your battery and oh by the way  IT IS WIRED EXACTLY BACKWARDS.  The polarity on the Zamp SAE style connector is reversed.  -- John's Tech Blog((https://www.hagensieker.com/wordpress/2020/01/12/rockwood-a122-two-year-review/))
+Normal panels could be used if a solar charge controller were spliced in between the port and bank.
+Higher-end "solar ready" setup might include MC4 connectors and entry gland on the roof with appropriate wiring leading to the battery tray area. Add panels and controller of your choice.
 ===== rack mounting =====

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