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05-05-2017, 09:37 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 853
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Ecoworthy folding panels
I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a suitcase solar panel. I already have an SAE port wired into the Gopower controller for my roof mounted 160 watt panel.. I am looking at the Ecoworthy 120 watt panel that seems to dominate on eBay and Amazon. Other than flimsy legs, they seem to get good reviews. I plan to bypass the controller on the suitcase and feed straight into the Gopower controller.
We are headed to Cape Hatteras in June and want to have plenty of juice for our 12 volt fans to keep cool at the National Seashore Campgrounds.
Comments, suggestions, observations?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=A5KU5HDAPDC75
__________________
Carl,
"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
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05-05-2017, 09:44 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Trailer: 2012 Escape-19
Posts: 383
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I'm working on the same project What cables do you plan on using from your panel to the trailer?
Eddie
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05-05-2017, 10:12 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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I had an EcoWorthy 80W poly folding that I bought direct thru them and was very happy with the panel. I didn't use the included controller. Be sure to check prices direct, eBay and Amazon as they vary between all 3 and sometimes can be quite different.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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05-05-2017, 10:24 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,879
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Speaker Wire
After a long search for a viable wire to use I settled on this speaker wire from Amazon. It is a true 10 gauge wire, very flexible as it is stranded. It coils and stores very nicely. It is 50 in length and replaced a 25 foot 12 gauge extension cord. With the longer run I wanted a heavier gauge. I found 25 foot was too restrictive as to where I could place the panels.
I do not know how durable the coating and wire in general is. As a result I am careful where it is routed and I do not drive over or step on it. I have had it a year.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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05-05-2017, 10:38 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax
Posts: 587
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$221 direct from Ecoworthy
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05-05-2017, 11:36 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Trailer: '87 Bigfoot 20DLX 5er (sold) - 2017 Escape 5.0 TA: Sep-17
Posts: 523
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I've been looking at this 160 watt folding flat panel in eBay for $230. I'm intrigued by how thin it is. I'd have to build a simple frame, but that'd be fun to figure out.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/292033801390?varId=591023642617
If it comes up at a lower wattage, just select 160w in the pulldown.
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05-05-2017, 12:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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05-05-2017, 12:03 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 853
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elongest
I'm working on the same project What cables do you plan on using from your panel to the trailer?
Eddie
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I got 50' of 10 Gage speaker wire as mentioned below and grafted SAE ends on it. I plan to connect an SAE pigtail on the terminal strip of the folding panel and leave the clips in place for using as a direct battery charger.
__________________
Carl,
"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
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05-05-2017, 12:09 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Trailer: 2012 Escape-19
Posts: 383
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Thanks on the cable info., already on order. That was the last piece needed for my solar project.
Thanks
Eddie
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05-05-2017, 12:21 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Middle, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19' #2
Posts: 1,441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skiman
I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a suitcase solar panel. I already have an SAE port wired into the Gopower controller for my roof mounted 160 watt panel.. I am looking at the Ecoworthy 120 watt panel that seems to dominate on eBay and Amazon. Other than flimsy legs, they seem to get good reviews. I plan to bypass the controller on the suitcase and feed straight into the Gopower controller.
We are headed to Cape Hatteras in June and want to have plenty of juice for our 12 volt fans to keep cool at the National Seashore Campgrounds.
Comments, suggestions, observations?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=A5KU5HDAPDC75
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We have been looking at the same one so keep us posted how you like it.
__________________
Tom
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05-05-2017, 01:13 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 ("Hotel California" -Aug 2017) Tow is 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel
Posts: 234
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I have only a very rudimentary idea on how this all works... On my build sheet for our 21, I had asked ETI what many people do in order to allow for the possibility of adding portable solar panels. They had recommended me to put on my build sheet "Pre wire portable solar - run wire from charge controller and pig- tail at Electrical Hatch -terminate beside standard exterior 120v outlet"
Will the portable solar panels mentioned here, work with what wasput down on my build sheet or did I screw up ?
What parts/connections/controllers, would I need to buy along with a system like Ecoworthy or New Portable Solar Cynergy?
Thanks so much.
It's very confusing for me.
__________________
Lisa & Pete
"What if loving what you have is everything..." - Ellis
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05-05-2017, 01:44 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Trailer: '87 Bigfoot 20DLX 5er (sold) - 2017 Escape 5.0 TA: Sep-17
Posts: 523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skiman
I got 50' of 10 Gage speaker wire as mentioned below and grafted SAE ends on it. I plan to connect an SAE pigtail on the terminal strip of the folding panel and leave the clips in place for using as a direct battery charger.
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Carl,
You could also cut the panel cables in half and add SAE connectors to both sides. Then you can leave the battery clips stowed when you don't need them. If worry that the clips could accidentally touch each other. I believe you can short the panel wires without damage, but if it's plugged into yourb trailer maybe it go bang!
With the second set of SAE's you could leave the your TW in the shade, puy the panels in the sun and use your 50' extension.
On my old trailer, the 8' cable on my portable panel met 85% of my needs. I rarely had to use one of my extensions.
7.5 amps of 12-14V DC over 50' of 10 AWG wire has a voltage drop of 0.75 volts.
Consider investing in more SAE's and making three extensions: 8', 15' and 27'. With three extensions, you can use exactly the amount of cable actually needed to reach the sun. Using one, two, or all three, you can have 8', 15', 27', 35', 42', and 50'.
Rich
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