Roof top solar vs suitcase

AustinHealey
AustinHealey Member Posts: 66
in Battery/Electrical & Solar

Trying to decide between roof top flexible panels vs solar suitcase. Question: Do roof top solar panels require drilling to secure the panel or route wiring?

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Comments

  • daveandcorlene
    daveandcorlene Member Posts: 74

    Depends on the manufacturer. One advantage to suitcase solar panels is the flexibility of moving them throughout the day to the best sun exposure locations. One advantage to roof top solar panels is the convenience of having them fixed on the camper. Two major factors are what are your power needs and what is your battery storage capacity (amp-hours). Happy camping.

    2021 TAG XL Boondock
    Toyota Tacoma
    Evergreen State

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  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 696

    Also, with roof top solar, you must park in the sun = hot teardrop and no A/C.

    Sharon - Westlake, Ohio | 2017 TaB CSS - 

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  • JamesDow
    JamesDow Member Posts: 751

    Here is a video without screw attachments. Having both would be ideal. https://youtu.be/6XSux3Wdghg](https://youtu.be/6XSux3Wdghg)

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  • Csd1
    Csd1 Member Posts: 1

    My 2021 tag is two sided taped , as i can see

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  • beaky
    beaky Member Posts: 283

    with rooftop you can take off and hike, with suitcase you worry whether it will be there when you get back

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  • Fourman110
    Fourman110 Member Posts: 230

    We lost power for a week at home this month and my solar recharged T@G was my freezer (24F), recharging station and info center (antenna TV). The 200W system was pulling 11 or 12 amps when the sun was optimum but when clouds hit it would drop to less than 2 (usually less than 1.5), so I suspect parking under shade to keep the trailer cool will dramatically decrease energy conversion. I really like spots with shade for the trailer and having the homemade solar suitcase really provides an opportunity to get the best of both worlds - ample charging capability and a cool place to sleep. Without the AC, I’d really want to camp in the shade if possible. The only thing I’d change in my solar suitcase is building the cable to 20 ft instead of 15...

    “I'm T@G-ing Out"
    Jay

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  • SueBHunny
    SueBHunny Member Posts: 135

    @Fourman110 said:
    The only thing I’d change in my solar suitcase is building the cable to 20 ft instead of 15...

    I have about 25 feet on my cable and it's perfect! My solar suitcase is in the sun when my T@G is not.

    Sue
    State College, PA
    2015 T@G Max
    2012 Subaru Outback

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  • cjmead
    cjmead Member Posts: 6

    and which solar suitcase do you use? how many watts?

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  • JamesDow
    JamesDow Member Posts: 751
    edited November 2022

    My solar suitcase is a Renogy 100 watt with 15'+ of cable. Also use galvanized plastic coated steel cable (dog run) to lock things up (20'). The solar suitcase travels behind the passenger seat of my Rav4.

    With 100 watts, I do start to fall behind in my charging after about five days. I do have another 50 watt folding panel (E.Flex) which I have hooked up in parallel. Only did that once, so effectiveness has not been tested over time.

    And yes, havig the ability of parking the T@G in shade and panels in sun is critical in my mind.

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  • JohnnyLoco
    JohnnyLoco Member Posts: 195

    I don’t chase the sun anymore, I lay them flat and stake them in. The watt diff is minimal-vs- the trouble. It also keeps wind from snatching them up and tumbling.

    I choose suitcase type and use ecoflow.

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