Inexpensive 100 watt solar panel.

[alanmalk]

If you're in the market for a portable 100 watt panel, this might be a good option. Its Harbor Freight so give it a test before you toss the receipt. But if you buy one and are satisfied, let the rest of us know.


Note: You can see from the photo, it is a 36 cell panel, so that means it is designed to charge a 12 volt battery through a controller (regulator) - which you supply or wire to the trailer controller.

[J1973s]

I have one of these. It works great and appears to be pretty good quality. I did switch out the connectors tho.

[hugh]

Based on reviews, this actually looks like a decent budget panel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5NhvPYBC0

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by hugh

Based on reviews, this actually looks like a decent budget panel.

Renogy has quit selling their German made Eclipse products. Two years ago I purchased two 100 watt Eclipse panels but sent them back when I found out their VMP was only around 17.7v. Too low to get decent yield early in the morning and late in the day. I ended up buying three Renogy Compact 100 watt panels, with a VMP of 18.6, for $90 less per panel, and they performed perfectly.

Enjoy,

Perry

[AuthorSP]

Does that just plug right into the zamp (?) plug on the trailer?

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Does that just plug right into the zamp (?) plug on the trailer?

I doubt very much that the 100 watt panel from H.F. has much of any plug. You should allocate some time to plan and purchase the connecting components. For example, to be really useful you would need 20-30 feet of heavy wire so the panel could be moved into sunlight in a shady parking area. My guess is that you will be spending as much $$ for wire and connectors as you will for the panel.

[Viajante]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Does that just plug right into the zamp (?) plug on the trailer?

According to the ad the panel comes with an SAE connector so you could use an inexpensive adapter to plug into the zamp port. No info on what wiring is or isn’t included.

[J1973s]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

I doubt very much that the 100 watt panel from H.F. has much of any plug. You should allocate some time to plan and purchase the connecting components. For example, to be really useful you would need 20-30 feet of heavy wire so the panel could be moved into sunlight in a shady parking area. My guess is that you will be spending as much $$ for wire and connectors as you will for the panel.

Purchased a 20’ black/red cable on eBay
for $28.00.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by J1973s

Purchased a 20’ black/red cable on eBay
for $28.00.

Those are MC4 connectors on the cable, not the SAE connectors that Escape uses & according to Viajante, are on the Harbor Freight panel - you will need an adapter for both ends.