suit case solar.

[packnrat]

well i am looking to buy a suit case solar system from renolgy.
not done any solar before. so not sure if this is a good deal or not.
$280. new in box. $220. open box. refurbersed aka someone elses problems.

only 100 watts. set up on the ground. easy to adjust for the sun. and not into hard mounting just yet.

any out there with some knowlage about this??

 

[Stephen]

We have this same system. It works great and as we are in the East for the summer, we find it better since we can chase the sun. The one problem is that our battery is located in the step as you enter our motorhome. The door won’t close so in cold weather, it is a bit of a problem. As son as I install an outside receptacle it wil be all good!


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[John TF]

We have this same system. It works great and as we are in the East for the summer, we find it better since we can chase the sun. The one problem is that our battery is located in the step as you enter our motorhome. The door won’t close so in cold weather, it is a bit of a problem. As son as I install an outside receptacle it wil be all good!


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A few issues with buying all in one box , 
You are going to pay too much 
Choice of quality components is lower 
This goes both ways , all in a box - it just works out of box [ kinda ] , if you did not learn 1st & them buy the components individually - it may not do what you hoped for .
The proper way to build a system , is to gather info - what you consumption / needs are , than find quality components to make up a system that fits your needs , its really just simple math , and leaning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law

 

[Stephen]

I agree with John, knowing your needs will go a long way toward getting the right system.


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[rm.w/aview]

A cable set permanently connected to the battery bank with an appropriate connector for your solar and coiled until needed, then run through the battery support or a hole that you'll provide will be very convenient.

 

[lenny flank]

I found that setting up a portable solar every time you stop is a PITA. Much easier to have a roof-mounted system which is always set up and always charging, even if you are not around.

 

[frater secessus]

well i am looking to buy a suit case solar system from renolgy.
not done any solar before. so not sure if this is a good deal or not.
$280. new in box. $220. open box. refurbersed aka someone elses problems.

There are a few things to consider;  I will attempt to discuss them without muddying the waters further.
refurbs
I buy refurbs whenever possible and have had great luck with them.  They are not necessarily someone eles's problems.  As long as there is a return policy a refub is probably a good buy.
100w
Here is what people are doing with 100w here on the forum.  You can compare this to what you want to do.
suitcase panels and controllers
Full disclosure:  I am not in love with suitcase panels.   IMO they are expensive and rather bulky for the power they put out, but I'm probably not the target audience.  
Renogy sells two versions of the 100w suitcase;  one has a charge controller built in and the other does not.  I am assuming this one has the controller built in because the original price lines up with that version.
The good news:  you wouldn't have to buy a separate controller.
The bad news:  on the panel is an inefficient place to put a controller.  The best place is next to the battery that is being charged.  This has to do with voltage drop between the controller and battery.
If I were spending $220
Based on my [needs/preferences/storage], if I was spending $220 I'd get two 100w poly panels and a cheap-but-configurable 20A shunt controller.  
bottom line
It will work;  it won't work super great.  Worst case scenario is if you outgrow (or get frsutrated with) it you can resell it to someone who is looking for one.

 

[tripper]

The Renogy's are a safe and reliable way to go with good manufacturer support.
However if you want to go with less proven manufacturers there are much better deals out there for example
200 Watt lightweight portable solar for $250
It has great reviews, puts out double the power and is very light, which believe me is a huge consideration. I personally would go for the light 200 watt setup

 

[John61CT]

Consider 100w a starting point, learn more as you go.

$2 per watt delivered is around market for semiflex, Renogy stands by their product.

 

[DLTooley]

Price out the components of the kit, bought from reliable merchants. Go as deep as you want into that comparison until you feel comfortable either way. The 100 watt Renogy is certainly a good place to start.

 

[jimindenver]

Renogy has a great rep on this forum and is supported by Bob and others. I would not put them above other companies that provide the same level of quality and service including windynation, Eco-worthy and SolarBlvd. Between the four companies I would find who offers what you need at the best price and go with them. (of these Eco-worthy is the only one that manufactures their own line)

Refurbished means a product has been returned for whatever reason from I didn't like it to it's broke, checked it out, fixed anything that needed to be fixed and resold it for less money and a shorter warranty. I have had to return new due to defects but never a refurbished item.

100 watts is a starting point and as a portable tracking the sun it is as good as 200 watts mounted flat. This is even more true in the winter. That said it may be worth your while to learn a bit about what you want to do and the amount of solar you will need before buying anything.

I agree with getting twice the power for the same money. The best money spent is doing your homework and buying the components separately getting what you need for the best price/quality.

 

[packnrat]

i have not done the math.
but so far only lights, some radio/ tv-videos. some carry items recharge.
other built in items that require limited use of power.
bigger juice items i do have a gen.
mostly looking to extend the fuel supply on the gen.
should not have traded off my eu2000. now have a bulky eu3000.
at least it is harder for it to just "walk away".

as some say look and research. this is what i am dooing.
will look into the other companys listed. but at least for now a suitcase deal is a good fit for my needs. hard mounted is not.
pluse i camp mostly in the forest so lots of shade. panels must be moved to even get a part day of sun.

 

[packnrat]

well i took the plunge.
bought a recon unit from renogy.
should be in my hands by tuesday. ordered late friday.

give me something to test out and see how much i should hard mount on a new rv. ( more than a couple years away).

.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Are the suit case units popular enough to resale later if a change/upgrade/etc to your solar needs comes up?

 

[packnrat]

i hope so.
at least on line in the videos looks like a great deal for a part timer, or one that does not use that much juice, or just wants to make sure there batt are toped off before sunset, less noise that sort of deals.

but again in X number of years maybe obsolete. aka: something better on the market. new tech thing.

 

[DLTooley]

Good for resale, keeping as a backup, or as a hand me down to a deserving newbie. Not so likely with a battery, though passing along to someone on the learning curve for the cost of the core charge would be a good thing.

 

[becida]

well i am looking to buy a suit case solar system from renolgy.
not done any solar before. so not sure if this is a good deal or not.
$280. new in box. $220. open box. refurbersed aka someone elses problems.

only 100 watts. set up on the ground. easy to adjust for the sun. and not into hard mounting just yet.

any out there with some knowlage about this??

I know others who have them & they work, I (personally) wouldn't worry about being refurbished.

Or 

You could get 2 panels & put a hinge between them, rig up a cord to take the power to your rig and run it into a mounted mppt controller by your house batteries & have the same thing (but probably better with the mppt controller). 
I used a single 100w panel & a 50' 12g extension cord for awhile (until I got it mounted on my van), I had one tenth of a volt drop at the end of the cord... worked for me.

With this portable setup you can park in the shade & put the panels in the sun...