Renogy Solar Suitcase: amzn.to/2H92sBh *Video Table of Contents:* 1:11 Output Test 1:14 Waterproof Test 2:26 Step-by-step Micro System 4:06 Battery Type List 4:24 Conclusion I hope this video helps you guys :D ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

@stans5270

5 жыл бұрын

Can two suitcases be daisy-chained together to increase the charging rate of the battery?

@WillProwse

5 жыл бұрын

You can connect as many of these to a battery as you please. If you are doing lithium, just don't exceed recommended charge rate.

@MELESAKUEHN

4 жыл бұрын

hey Will, can we plug this thing into the Bluetti? also, if we get more than one Renogy solar suitcase, do we need a charge controller for each one?

@troyterashita1755

4 жыл бұрын

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse hey Will, do you think bluetti and solar suitcase can run a small fridge 12v fantastic fan laptops phones toaster oven instapot and a couple of electric toothbrushes for an rv? Great info thanks!

@MELESAKUEHN

4 жыл бұрын

@@troyterashita1755 I don't know much, but I do think you'd need about 500 watts of solar panels to charge it as fast as it will charge. I plan to get at least 2 of the 200 watt solar suitcases. I wonder if it's okay to use 3 of the 200 watt suitcases. I think only the maximum of 500 watts will go through, so I don't think it will hurt anything to use 600 watts, but you'd only be pulling 500 watts through it.

Bought the first one, was so impressed I bought a second without the controller. I now have 10 amps of solar power for my RV when running in parallel.

💕WHAT A FABULOUS VIDEO. This novice is very grateful for your review! 👍

Hi Will ive been running similar type of suitcase solar for about 8 years now they work well to keep my engel fridge battery going while im out camping here in Australia ,we get lots of sun . The battery allways charged by afternoon . The suitcase on your one looks 10 times better than my one but with care mine has travelled about 40,000km in the time ive had it and still all good key is to keep the glass clean and when storing or travelling with them stand them on edge not flat . Keep up the great we ork mate 👍

You should do a video on how to make a suitcase out of 2 of the 100 W Renogy panels

Great job Will. I love how you were giggling when spraying the controller, that’s real world testing. Timely as well. I just purchased the 200w version and I was impressed. Also picked up a Renogy lithium iron phosphate battery. Interested to see the amount of power and flexibility that this set up will give my travel trailer.

I have used one of these in a semi permanent system pumping water for gardens gardens and orchards. It is left in the environment from March till November four years now. I’ve never had an issue with the electronics however the metal frame is beginning to corrode. It is quite reliable however.

Love your channel! I've learned so much from all your videos.

FYI: Santan solar in Gilbert Arizona by Phoenix, has super cheap used solar panels for sale. They are usually large panels. That is the company that donated 40 panels to Bob Wells’ Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA) recently. Keep up the great work Will.

@TheAnonymousUser1234

5 жыл бұрын

Wow! They really do have some good deals. Thanks for the tip.

o0o this is the first video from you i watched since subbing a week ago. Dude...this was epic, totally up-ing my battery game. You're my hero.

I just bought this a few weeks ago. I will use to recharge two 6v on travel trailer. My reason for it was the portability and to use anywhere. Another camper could have dead battery and you can help. The case is better than you think too. I’m excited to test it this summer on charging my 6v’s.

@topofthemountainaction

4 жыл бұрын

After summer use, my only complaint is the short power cords. I need to add longer cords so I have more options for placement.

Love your videos, Will! Keep up the great work!

By far the best KZread channel of all you rock thank you again for all of your wonderful information safe travels

Thx for this review. I've been looking at the newer version of this suitcase.. the "eclipse". I've read a lot of good reviews.. but its nice to see a video review.

I'll have mine 2 years in July. It works great and is holding up great. Very easy to use and I got the mc4 extension cord and pigtail to attach to the battery.

I’ve been using this Renogy Solar Suitcase for 3 years when boondocking with a 2-battery LA system. I’m also 100% satisfied because it has allowed us to camp without using our generator at all 👍👍

Fantastic as always. As an initial sponsored review I still found it very honest. Of course, the brand name speaks for itself as quality. Would also love to see you compare to the cheapest of the cheap maybe Harbor freight and a do it your self portable hundred watt.

I have one of these 100W Renogy Suitcases for my travel trailer. It does work great. I've had it about 2 years now and decided to get another 200W Renogy Suitcase. The 200W one is pretty big. But I'm excited to use it with two Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries.

great product, great review, thanks Will

Hey Thanks a lot. Being a newby myself, this is right up my alley. hope you add this item on your website.

Another fine informative vide. I love the water test. I have learned a lot from your channel. Thank you.

Thanks for the review Will, I used your link to order one. I like the size, the adjustable legs and charging capacity, I will be using it for car camping and power outages to run my computer and network, I work from home.

@WillProwse

4 жыл бұрын

You will love it! I have had it for months and it works great. I leave outside 24/7 in Las Vegas and always works

I have been the Renogy 100W 12v Solar suitcase for a couple of years. In fact, I have two of them. My Renogy PWM controller doesn't have all the newer Lithium profiles but works great with my sealed batteries. I use one to recharge my RV batteries while boondocking. I do astrophotography so the second suitcase and battery is used to recharge by astronomy and laptop/camera gear.

Another great video 👍😀 you are the “Solar Guy” !!! Thank you for sharing 😎

You are fabulous. I love your videos and you have taught me so much.

I have just got hold of one of these for off grid caravanning here in the UK. Great piece of kit. If you pull hard on the controller it will hang down making it eaiser to read, pull hard very strong velcro.

I have one of these and have had it for over 2 years with no issues. The only thing I added was an adapter from the MC4 connector to a 2 conductor SAE cable like the ones used on the Battery Tender. This is so I can extend the distance without the high cost of the MC4 wired connection.

This would be amazing for camping. that's an awesome form factor and you can't beat that setup time.

Just bought one of these. It is great. I use it as a secondary way to charge my auxillary battery on my dual battery system in my truck. I have a 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter installed on the auxillary battery.

Very nice demo. Thanks for spraying the controller and seeing that it wurkz. Fun.

Thanks for the video. I just picked this up from your recommendations with the Rockpals 300 watt solar generator from your other video.

Congratulations on the house. Mahalo for all your lolo knowledge.

Thanks for the review , been thinking about this unit.

Nice presentation on the suitcase. Five yrs ago I decided to buy a Renogy 100w kit to be able to charge a battery in my small but fully self-contained TAB camper. Subsequiently, I have made trips to the Arctic Circle from California and around the states from the Mississippi River and west to the Pacific. Kept some logs of electric usage and generation. Camper has had single 75aH Deep Cycle AGM battery. Replaced the original Renogy PWM charge controller with EPSolar MPPT with noticable improvement. PWM works. It is just that MPPT transfers a little more of the panel power to the battery. Like your presentation of the "suitcase".You seem to have covered the features well. Suitcase seems well designed and engineered. I haven't seen one in person. I mount my 100w panel on a rack on roof of my van during camping trips. Nice thing about solar generator system is that it is silent. Like everyone else, I have a gas generator but don't like listening to it.

Great Review And A Great Product! Nice Compact Unit! Good Video!

I just bought this item, can't wait to try it out.

Will, you could make a fortune installing solar on RVs! Always enjoy your videos and take away some knowledge of solar systems. Thank you.

@chriseudy4684

5 жыл бұрын

I was told 20 yrs ago by another floor installer to going to solar installation instead of flooring.

Thanks for sharing. I have this same kit & like it. I was too chicken to get it wet, nice to know I don't need to worry.

I bought one. It's as good as you say. I had the Goal Zero suitcase. Twice the money, not as nice. No kickstands, no controller, no hard case. It had a canvas cover. The Renogy is amazing.

Greeting from Vancouver island bc Canada .For a sponsored vid it is fair and informative. Still like to see a mixed solar, wind system, keep up great work.

Yeah, cool. I bought that without the charge controller. Beautifully made panels and case!

I have used one for several years with an earlier charge controller. The weak point is in the handle and latches, they will rust! Other than that, it has been a fantastic unit. The controller is on a hinge plate which can swing back for a better view. The plate should be held in place with velcro. My first generation model did not have this feature. I added velcro to the back for better wire management and strain relief. The MC4's were immediately replaced with power pole connectors the day I received it. Wires will store nicely if you lay the panel flat first. 73 de K2LED

@WillProwse

5 жыл бұрын

Good to know!

Considering that it's just a PWM controller, it works pretty well. We usually get 85 watts or more, to the batteries. Good quality construction. We upgraded to #10 wires.

I wish I would have seen this before I bought my solar panel. This one looks very easy to use!

@Will Prowse, I didn't take the time to sift through all 181 comments and don't know if this was previously mentioned but did you know....the controller is actually mounted on a hinged mounting plate that swings out. I noticed at the 1:48 mark after the water test you actually tilted the whole panel assembly to show the controller was still working. Simply pulling on the bottom the hinged mounting plate that attaches with velcro would have allowed you to view the controller without disturbing the panel. Pretty cool eh? A buddy of mine purchased one of these portables and yes, they are the bomb. Nice video.

For the beginners its a lot of help...thanks for the point of view to help others ..and to know what's the road for taking DIY...solar

I seen this on Amazon thought it was bigger, glad it can be upgraded to use mppt but if Renogy is watching they need to get their MT50's back in stock.

Thank You for all your onderful info!

We have one (that we bought w/o the charge controller) for our Goal Zero. It works great, but we did have to buy a separate $15 plug from Goal Zero for it to work. It works great though.

I made 2 changes to mine. I have the eclipse. I disconnected the panel from the charge controller and added mc4 connectors so I could add more panels if I wanted or needed.i also swapped the alligator clamps for tray connectors so no worrying about the clamps coming off and eliminated the need to clamp on clamps.

@WillProwse

5 жыл бұрын

Oh wow that's smart! Very cool. That's practically all someone needs!

I have the same unit on my Class A and love it works great

Thanks a lot. Im Old. I now require Easy & Light weight. Very interested in this suitcase design. 👍

Everything just looks so easy watching your videos..Is there a good combo wind-turbine,,solar panel kit out there you have seen and recommend..

@mikehotchkiss8975

5 жыл бұрын

Didn't see this comment and added one similar. I want one for my boat. Windy at night sometimes

“I did it!” 😂. Great vid as usual!

Hey Will can you series connect as permanent like 2 or more. What about the MPPT add on

Great video Will. So I could just hook this up to my genesis dual battery system in my jeep to keep things topped off when I am camping? No issues with over charging or damaging my batteries with this controller? I guess I could even put a plug in the bumper so I could always keep the hood closed. This looks like a great setup.

Hi Will just wondering what other solar suitcase you could recommend ? Looking to just keep our marine battery on our RV charged instead of firing up the generator . Thanks

Hi could I plug this into an existing RV solar system to boost the battery charging when there is not much sun. Would the solar controller on the fixed RV system fight the suitcase controller?, great video.

so we bought this suit case for camping and figure we can keep it around for planned electric turn offs. we are an older couple and it became clear that we are not the target audience for the controler that came with this. the screen is hard to read, especially the tiny typeface for the battery type. otherwise it’s age neutral. reasonably light weight, nobs and clasps that could be bigger for arthritic hands but still ok. i warned my partner about the connection but it went together easily for him. i wanted to mess with the controller more but a grey haired lady messing with solar panels seems to be a major attraction at a campsite and i didn’t want to mess up with an audience, ha ha. i’ll have more time with it when we get it home. thanks for the review.

I have the older model that is not waterproof. It works great! As I understand smaller solar systems are just fine with a PMW charge controller.

I love your videos. Because of you I'm planning out a build. Thank you. I do have a request or suggestion. A How to @ adapting to charge your rv/van setup to charge at a tesla/EV charging stations. If theres one person to make a informative video on the subject, its you! Hope thats interest you to do.

Love your channel and love your smarts! I have a pop up camper that I converted all incandescent lighting to small led strips and the only thing we run at night is the electric propane heater that’s built into the camper from factory back in 1979. I’m using a interstate Deep Cycle battery. It’s ratings are 550 CCA...690MCA...140RC. That’s all I know of it so far. I’m guessing that the fan on the old stick heater might be around 15-20watts running and we use it averaged about 9-10 hours in the fall and that’s it. Would this kit be ideal for our usage?

This is why I love your reviews. I would be afraid of to blast it with water for 20 mins. Question: do you think attaching a cable clip (thinking size for old 25 pair PBX cable) with a square of that 3M permanent tape on the inside back of panels would be a good way to keep those cords from getting mangled when you close case?

Which wire gauge size should be used to connect your battery to this via MC4 connectors if not using the provided cables. I have this panel but without the charge controller or provided cables. I noticed the wires coming out of the panel are rather small (possibley14 gauge). I will connect a 100ah flooded lead acid battery which will use at most 60watts at a given moment.

Hi Will, thanks for doing a review,. I have one question, on the pwm charger can you tell me what the amp/volt button is showing ? I know v= battery volts but what do the other two indicate? Thanks 👍

Will, do they make a cable you can permanently wire to your RV battery that will plug into the cables coming from the controller.? if so what are they called?

It look like this comes with a 20amp controller. my OEM set up shows the outside outlet labeled as 10A. Is the 20A just the max and my oem system will only use 1/2 of the controller capabilities or would this model not be correct for me? I'm early in my solar learning curve, appreciate your help/response.

@michaeldoherty2289

3 жыл бұрын

the 20A controller makes it posible to add a 100W expansion suitcase to your array using one controller. Renogy sells the same 100w suitcase without a controller to use for that.

Great review!😃👍

How does compare to the latest version? I'm looking at just getting the panel not the controller as I want to use the Victron

Have a similar setup and I have a question you might have covered previously. When I put a large load (800 or so watts and 60 amps) on my lifepo4 battery the voltage drops from over 13 to just above 12 immediately. If I turn the load off the battery voltage goes back up. Is this normal? I would have thought that my battery power would have stayed at 13 while the load was on and dropped slowly over time.

Does the solar charge converter prevent the battery from discharging too much? Great product review looks like a easy portable solar solution. Thanks for sharing!!!

Hi Will! Glad I found this vid! I am looking to purchase this “Solar Suitcase” but was looking for a good reason to. You helped me make up my mind. I have a question, and I’m pretty sure you can answer it. Question: I plan to purchase the “OUKITEL CN505 LiFePO4 Power Station”, and would like to know the best way to charge it with this panel. The CN505 has an internal MPPT controller, so should I bypass the controller on the panel? Would love to hear what you would do in this case. Thanks in advance for your time! Great vid! 👍🏼

Thanks for sharing this video

Based on your review of generators I'm thinking of the ROCKPALS 300W Portable Generator and was wondering if you know how this panel would compare to the Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel. This looks easier to use with the legs, but durability is a concern but I question if the Rockpals panel would be as good for charging as this.

Any thoughts on the Dokio 300w foldable solar panels? $500.00 CND so basicaly same price as the renogy 100W.

Are the panels connected in series or parallel in the suitcase.I've got two of these suitcase panels and want to know the best way to connect them? Thanks.

Dude that’s rad man!

Does the voyager controller turn on when it is hooked to the battery before it is getting solar power? Also will it stay on and kill the battery with no sun? Thanks

@playinatlife5778

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, it becomes active as soon as it is connected to the battery. You may get a smidgen of charging from ambient light.

Can you charge an Inergy Apex with a Renogy 200 Watt solar suitcase assuming you can connect it?

Do you still recommend the Renogy 100W solar panel suitcase as the best? I need to buy one that reliable and high quality to charge a Goal Zero Yetti 1000 and an Inergy Kodiak. Thank you for your help.m

Will, do you have any idea how the Eclipse model compares to the Voyager in performance in partial shading and low light? They claim to have better low light level, shading performance but there is no information out there about the tested performance comparison of the two panels.

Hello Will Can u do a Video on how to change battery settings?

I think your the brightest vanlife expert on youtube

Great product, my only concern would be, you would have to be in camp all the time, otherwise it might walk away. great video

@playinatlife5778

4 жыл бұрын

If people are going to steal, they're going to steal. I have this product and the frame is deep enough that you could drip a hole, run a cable or bike lock through it and lock it to your vehicle.

@michaelbrown2443

4 жыл бұрын

We use a cable or chain lock, secured to the metal handle, and walk away all day.

Hi Will..can you charge the K2 Apex with this?

I’ve been following you a while, best solar channel by a mile and I love how you mix beginner stuff with higher skill content. I’m in the UK and wanted to add a solar option to my caravan (US translation - travel trailer) and after some research (using knowledge I learnt from you) picked up this Renogy suitcase to dip my toe in the water. Brilliant for a beginner and really pleased to eventually see it on your channel with a glowing review. Btw my caravan is an Eriba Troll 530. A brilliant German design that’s hardly changed in decades. Look it up - you’ll fall in love.

Haha Will, you are so funny! At 2:57 you showed us a pic of a $10 battery monitor and said "if you guys can't afford one use the voltage readout on the pwm"... You crack me up!

@WillProwse

5 жыл бұрын

Oh dang, I messed that up! In my mind I was imagining the solar panel outside, and not being able to afford a battery monitor shunt at the battery. I should have reworded that. Thanks for catching that

@MikeAndNary

5 жыл бұрын

@@WillProwse Leave it, it was hilarious!

@AaronGeller

5 жыл бұрын

I caught the same thing!

In some of your other videos you mention that the battery should be connected to the controller before the solar panel is connected to the controller. In this system, the controller is already attached to the solar panel. Will this damage the controller? Thanks.

I bought this system and 1000 watt inverter now I need a battery but so many choices what do you recommend? I’m turning my 2011 Honda Element into a mini camper please advise

thanks for all those videos can you do a test on a makesky blue charge controller thanks in advance

Hi Will, I am partial to the Renogy 100 WATT 12 VOLT MONOCRYSTALLINE FOLDABLE SOLAR SUITCASE WITH 10A VOYAGER CHARGE CONTROLLER panel system that reviewed here. I know your opinion on the flex panels, but can you comment on the newer Renogy E.FLEX 120 PORTABLE folding SOLAR PANEL system? thanks

How would you properly hook this up to an Ecoflow Delta 1300, both individually, as well as with 2 200W solar suitcases? What adapters/connectors would be required, and how should they be configured and hooked up, so as to not damage the generator? Thank you!😊

Will the Renogy 100W Solar Suitcase w/ Voyager safely charge the Rockpals 300 w Portable Generator? Thanks!

What is best 100 watt suitcase for newbie to use on zamp ready trailer, not looking to spend $200 if possible. I see renogy 100 watt panel for $100, should I go that route for savings?

I recently purchased a max oak ac50s which should arrive in a few days. I did not buy a panel with it though. What is this 100 W or even the 200 W version be compatible with the max oak or do I need to purchase any other device or piece of equipment to make it work? Or is there another affordable option that would be easy to get and work better thanks!

I've had one for several years now. It works great. It has been rained on many times; not a problem. Only criticism I have is that the latches have rusted and are pretty much useless any more....

@WillProwse

5 жыл бұрын

Good to know, thanks for the heads up

@IDVDalot

3 жыл бұрын

why not addd velcro

Im permanently mounting this onto my Tacoma , should I run the wires from the solar panel to an inverter first or will running it to the battery be fine ?

Renogy sells Inverter/Charges. I'd like to know if it's better or worse in efficiency & cost than using a separate charge controller and Inverter. thanks

Will this system charge 2 RV/Marine deep cycle12 v batteries in my motorhome? My motorhome uses a refrigerator that works only on 110 v and the two batteries will go dead after one day and using my Onan generator is just too noisy. If this system would work, about how long will it take to charge the both batteries in full sun? Thanks.

😂😂 can't believe you took the hose to it that was great