Finding & Connecting the RIGHT Solar Panel - Power Stations 101 Series
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- čas přidán 15. 05. 2024
- I hope this video was helpful explaining the thought process on choosing the right solar panel for your power station! Please let me know what other topics you would like seen covered in this video series!
Here are some of the adapters I used in the video:
MC4 Parallel Adapter - amzn.to/3doGm06
MC4 to 8mm Adapter - amzn.to/3Ph3Cdy
MC4 Extension Cables - amzn.to/3SE9BMF (go with 10awg for longer distances)
SOLAR PANELS FROM THE VIDEO:
BlueRise 120w ETFE 120 Watt Bifold: $159 amzn.to/3RSWK8C
XTAR SP100 ETFE 100 Watt Bifold: $279 (W/ usbc charger) amzn.to/3vt0u7B
Other VIDEOS on my channel that you may find helpful:
Bi-fold Solar Panel Comparison video: • The BEST Bi-Fold Porta...
1000 watt solar installation video: • A DIY Solar Install YO...
725 watt portable solar kart video: • DIY Solar Backup Power...
The use of affiliate links provide a small commission for me when you use them. Thanks for supporting my channel content and allowing me to do future comparison videos! More videos coming soon!
#Jasonoid #SolarPanels #PowerStations - Věda a technologie
Here are some of the ADAPTERS I used in the video:
MC4 Parallel Adapter - amzn.to/3doGm06
MC4 to 8mm Adapter - amzn.to/3Ph3Cdy
MC4 Extension Cables - amzn.to/3SE9BMF (go with 10awg for longer distances)
SOLAR PANELS FROM THE VIDEO:
BlueRise 120w ETFE 120 Watt Bifold: $159 amzn.to/3RSWK8C
XTAR SP100 ETFE 100 Watt Bifold: $279 (W/ usbc charger) amzn.to/3vt0u7B
About the VOC from 10v to 145v,that means you cant't use less than 10 volts to charge it?
@@pep5772 I haven't seen a solar panel that puts out less than 10 volts so that shouldn't be an issue.
Finally a guy i can understand
Facts!
Geez, it’s all Greek to me!
20 minutes i´ve learn more than with my teachers at school
Amazing video man!
This video was gold! I looked at a lot of videos on the subject, but this was the best I have ever seen. It cleared up a lot of confusion I had on how to connect solar panels in the voltage range of the power station. This was the missing piece and it was explained in such a clear and simple manner. This video is going to help a lot of people. I would love to see a series of videos. Also I did not hear you say much about the flex panel. I would like to hear your thoughts on htem. I heard they don't last as long but I like that they are light weight and are useful in many applications. I am not sure yet about the price as compared to other folding and glass panels. This was a great video and much needed. Awesome information.
You are the Only guy in searching for info on this i can understand the verbage...very good teacher👍
A series for newbies...we need hand-holding. How long can you run a power station. Yes, it shows a drop meter, but say could I sew all day, or cook a turkey in small oven...practical stuff. Or, are the power stations best used for recharging? Practical use. You may have done this but I haven’t watched all your videos yet!
Keep up the good work. Really making it easy for us newer folks to get into this. Should of watched this first compared to anyone on the internet. Even Hobotech lacks teaching people is a simple form.
Thank you, Jason! This video is a classic and highly valuable. I have the Oupes 1200 and an AC200P Bluetti, so your information was perfectly matched to my need-to-know.
Thanks for breaking down these basics and assisting me on the journey.
Thank you so much Jason! This is exactly the information explained in plain English that I needed. If only I'd had it months ago I would have saved so much time and energy, not to mention money. I know this wasn't an easy video to put together. I agree: hearing the information many times, we do begin to assimilate it. The key is having the fundamental concepts, the basics to build upon. This video fills that void. I really can't praise you enough for the effort you pit into it! Excellent!! I will definitely be pointing others to this video. (I already refer others to your channel.)
A couple of things I remain unclear on:
1) How important is it that the gauge of the extension cables and adapter cables match? My assumption is the extension cable should be the same gauge as the cable on the panel. If not the same, what are the tolerances and implications?
2) You mentioned that your XTAR came with MC4 connections. Did you mean the cable directly out of the panel? Mine did not; it uses the DC 8mm, which allows me to connect it directly to the Jackery without an adapter. (I do have at least 3 different sets of adapter cables, but I have lost track of what I bought separately and what came with my two power stations and two panel, so ... it is likely that one of those came with the XTAR. Just wondering if XTAR is selling panels with different direct connection types.)
Thanks!
Section at 5:11 on the counter, is VERY helpful for understanding over voltage (frying out the machine)/ and open circuit voltage. Though most machines will stop 'frying' from happening. This video was helpful. Thanks!
Most power stations only have 5 to 10 volts of over voltage protection. Go any higher on accident and it will fry the internal components.
Thank you for the 101 series. It is wonderful to see such a summary of essential information. In future videos, I'd love to see two topics - how to match different panels (or even some tips on matching exactly the same panels); and considerations of gauge in adaptors and extension cables (for efficiency and safety). They are probably not exactly 101, but I faced those problems quite early on when gradually building up solar application. Again, excellent work!
More power stations 101 please. Great job!
Fantastic video and really appreciate the hose analogy for volts. Very helpful!
I am new to this world of power stations and solar panels and this video was exceptional. I took notes because like you said it will take time for me to understand more fully the hows and whys. Thank you for your clear way of presenting the information. This video was excellent!
What a fantastic explanation/video.Thank you! You made the concept much more clear for me.
Great video for a solar newbie like me.😀 I would love to learn more about over paneling for those many cloudy winter days here in Ohio. With that, the sometimes needed parallel and series combinations. Hope I'm not way out in left field (or out of the ball park) with my thoughts on this.🤔 Thank you so much for all your great videos.👍
Great video. Nice to get confirmation that a unit only draws the amps that it needs.
Glad it was helpful!
I have been trying to figure this question out for weeks now!! Thank you for simplifying everything in a nicely done video! I love contributors to CZcams that educate the layman. Hands down, best video yet pertaining to solar panels to solar generators. Thanks 🙏
You are so welcome!
Great video. Thanks for helping with my education in solar power stations.
Finally a video that answered many of my solar panel questions!!! I am just starting to consider solar power for my pecron e1500lfp but most videos explain portable panels which I do not want. I am still not sure of the easiest way to get the power into the house without running cables through an open window or door. Excellent video.
You're welcome! I suggest using glass rigid panels if you are wanting to have solar everyday, all year. I still haven't found the best way to get solar into my house. I currently run my wires under my backdoor... It's not the best option but do I want to drill a hole in my wall? Haha
I fell in love with this channel when you said the panel was 100 by the way 😂🙏🏽
Very informative! Thank you for sharing your expertise!
what a great video......thank you for answering my question and sending me this link.....now I can watch again and make the right decision.....
Great review, thanks for explaining & clarifying the components of electricity.
Glad it was helpful!
V.good intro & summary of critical operating parameters for the newby; learning curve was favorably modified. Presentation was succinct & informative. J.Good show.
Cristal clear explained. I'm glad I found this video because other videos were confusing me or just the same copy and paste. Thanks
I got a couple other really basic videos you may enjoy on my channel, thanks for watching!
Love this vid, nothing but GREAT INFO for Everyone! Keep up the Great Work 🤘😉
Appreciate it!
Excellent video. So informative and really really helped in planning my campervan power setup. Thanks.
So so helpful brother … much appreciated,bless!
Great content! Keep up the good work👍! This so gen world is evolving almost daily😙
You are awesome! excellent video for a solar beginner.
This was really well explained and very useful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I can now size a solar panel array for my needs. I'm interested in seeing reviews on small all-in-one inverters to run the basics.
Awesome video! Great information! Thanks for this!!!
Excellent primer for a novice solar person. Thanks.
And yes.. Putting together different videos on different arrays and how they will and will not work with different Open Circuit voltage systems will inspire the newbs like myself. I am new and enjoy the education.
Love this video! Thanks for explaining all this.
Glad it was helpful!
🐾🐾THANKS for these basics Jason🌷
Yes please some more 101 class on solar generators and solar panels appreciate the video thank you.
What a great video post! Thank you.
Very helpful straight to the point video thank you very much.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤
most important is the paralel wiring in fv panels such as bluetti for compensation of shadows: 50% shadow - still 50% output while in other brands none.
Well made video of the basics.
It cover everything but it's somewhere to start :)
Great job best explanation as simple as this stuff would be
Nicely put together...
Thank you Jason -- I've been trying to figure out how to get solar on my vehicle/camper combo and this answered so many questions. I'm not trying to charge the vehicle (though it is plug in hybrid) but the camper is tiny and has very little roof space for panels so I was thinking of doing both fixed (on top of the vehicle) and portable. It was very hard to find out if this was possible. I also want to make sure that whatever I use for battery can be moved around and is not fixed in place.
Thanks! This is exactly the explanation Im looking for! 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, impressive presentation, very useful ! Thanks
You are welcome!
Very well done! Thank You
Thanks for explaining this
awesome content Jason
This was the best explanation that I have heard. Save me hundreds was almost going to buy the wrong panel for my solar generator. Thank you for saving the day. I would like to see a video on how to pick what gauge wire you need from your panels to your MPPT controller. I'm building mine out and am lost on what gauge to use.
This video will help explain that: czcams.com/video/AZIBmFBzBGs/video.html
Good one. You may want to add the case where a larger power station (e.g. the new Pecron) requires multiple panels in series to reach a minimum input voltage.
Good point, I'll make sure to mention that in my review.
I never give likes but this is such a great video!!! So I gave a like and had to comment . Easy explanation and very useful. Amazing video thanks!
Glad you liked it!!
Useful information. Thank you very much.
You are welcome
I LOVED Loved loved this video. Especially the part about ensuring your panels don’t exceed your device’s amps and volts. I am new to solar so I was only looking at the watts. THANK YOU, for helping this newbie not ruin her Bluetti. BTW, the reason I went with the bigger Bluetti 200Max was because it can not only run all small electronics but for those times I am at a non electric state camp ground I can connect my camper directly to this power station and run my refrigerator and water pump. Then to depending on the amount of days I’m camping I could possibly run my Air Conditioner as well. So maybe a video featuring how to determine what bigger portable power station and charging needs would great. Do I buy one Bluetti, EcoFlo, Titan, Anker, etc) and a power bank battery to go with it or join two stations together, or one power station and panels only. What are the advantages, disadvantages of each scenario.
I love being out in nature but hate the noise of gas and/or propane generators. I discovered that the smaller fuel generators with their 1 to 3 gallon tanks don’t run any longer than some solar setups so that’s why I decided on going with the larger Bluetti because I can bring along enough battery backup (eventually) for those days when it is cloudy and solar charging isn’t an option. I am paying more now upfront but over the long run, especially the way prices go up on gasoline and propane I believe I will save in the end. Plus I am not confined to camping near populated areas because I need to get fuel.
So maybe a video discussing why getting the bigger power stations is better and how to determine how big and what their options are in getting to that needed power are would be good.
Great stuff 😊
foldable panels ideal for balconys in neighbourhoods where there's a veto on fv installations: put them in minihoophouses (10€!) with their cables protected in hoses against ocasional showers.
Super helpful, thank you. I just purchased an Anker 535 and 2 Renogy 100W solar panels and was trying to figure out how to connect them all together since the Anker has an 8mm DC input.
You are welcome!
interesting ,although a little bit simplified: actually we have to calculate voltage & amperage for max. climatic conditions of 70ºc & - 10ºc especially for the rooftop units assuming no camping at -10ºc freeze..., but with plenty of sun in summer the surface of the pannels heat up up to 70ºc which lowers their voltage output, same with frost that would rise their amperage (= intensity) because current cannot flow so easily at low temperatures, so they could damage the charger of the generator or fall below its entrance minimum during max. heat which would just interrupt charging for a while. on top of a camping van/car it heats up more than in the grass.
Great Presentation ..............Cheers from Tasmania
Many thanks!
This vid was great, I missed the part about adding MC4 fuses when doing parallel connections, which you mentioned in one of your other vids.
🎯yes to 101 & 102 on EVERYTHING🌷
Glad to hear Lynn :)
Thank you for the info. Just beginning here.
You're welcome to ask questions if needed!
There is an interesting option for increasing the solar input range for the Bluetti AC200P and AC200Max units. If you purchase the DC50S charge enhancer for the BC230 or BC300 expansion batteries (which allows you to add DC charging and solar charging of the battery independently from the main unit), you can hook this up to the AC charging input and add 500 additional watts of solar input which allows you to charge up the AC200Max in only about 45 minutes, which is really great. Very informative video as always, thanks!
I just bought the DC50S charger... expensive for what it does IMO @ $200... I will have a video explaining everything about it :)
Thank you for this information!!!😀👍💕
You are so welcome!
Very useful thanks! 👍
Well Done Bro Very Helpful Video More Off Grid topic "Price of power now " Want to use less grid power Take Care Jason
Thanks for the info
Great information! The exact information I was looking for. I have been trying to get my Jackery 2000 plus to plug into my out door solar panel 2-100 watt MC4 with a 8mm adapter but as you mentioned proprietary. But it’s not as proprietary as can be, because I was able to connect my Harbor freight foldable 2- 100 watt , solar panels to and they charge. But, I would still like to get my other panels to connect! Any suggestions?
When using an array like yours on your shed roof does it need an isolator if you unplug the leads from your solar generator? I also read that rubber gloves should be used when plugging and unplugging mc4 leads. Is that true?
Love this video. suggestions on where to learn more about the basics, voltage amperage, watts...?
Electricity 101
Here's another great one about parallel and series solar panel arrays:
czcams.com/video/OZvrTuhJhXs/video.html
great information - thank you
Glad it was helpful!
thank you! just starting to try to understand this.......
So helpful thank you 😊
You're so welcome!
hi🇫🇷, information received clean and clear👌
Great video. Regarding to max PV input Voltage, panel has a temperature coefficient, the Voc goes up as the temperature goes down which should be factored in.
From my understanding, Voc is max voltage under cold temps, it shouldn't ever go above that value since hot temps lower the voltage. I will have to test in the winter to see if I get reading above the voc rated levels on my panels.
I would like to see more comparisons between all in one systems and custom built systems.
Thanks for all your help. J in Montrose
WOW SLIM PACK! THANKS SO MUCH :)
Just subscribe your channel, very clear explanatory, keep up the good work. Thanks
Welcome aboard!
Good video. You touched on my question but didn't address it specifically. If a watt limit is listed along with the volts, can you have more Watts if the volts are still within range? I'm looking at a 600w unit with 100w/ 13-25v limit. I'm also looking at a 160w folding panel with a vmp of 18v. Would this work?
No, if a watt limit is listed it won't go above that amount.
Thank you thank you!
You are so welcome!
Fantastic!
Thanks for the lesson. To make sure, I understood everything right, if I was to connect the right solar panel for AC200 MAX (145 V max),
Can I set 3 panels in series with VOC 37.14 V and ISC 13.92 A? The Panel is JinKo Solar 410 W. I'll get 1230 W with some extra overpaneling.
Will this set-up work fine?
You can connect those three panels in series without an issue. You'll hit the 900 watt peak charging since it won't go over that amount. Since you are overpaneling, you'll be able to hit the 900 watt limit more frequently, even in non perfect conditions.
Hello Jason, Wonderful presentation. As a presenter it is extremely important to 1) Use correct & consistent verbiage 2) point to specification you're speaking about when presenting a confusing and busy specification sheet 3) Visual images as you speak. You did all three. Thank you. An example is solar panels INPUT solar chargers. Never say solar panels output to a solar charger. It is extremely important to use correct verbiage when speaking about electrical flow. I also like how you're placing the word HERE next to the specification you're speaking about when the image on the screen is a busy and cluttered specification sheet full of many speciation's. I might suggest the word HERE is written in a different color so the student may rapidly acquirer the specification you're speaking about. (assuming the student is not color blind) A colored arrow symbol would be best, but I don't know the limitations of CZcams. Finally, I enjoyed how you took the time to place an image of all the components needed to complete a task be the task parallel set up or series set up. I subscribe to your channel, and I always look forward to watching, listening and learning. Thank you very much.
Thank you for the excellent feedback Dan
THANKS JASON
Hi Jason,
Can you do a part 2 of solar panels? Things like adding the amps and voltages of a solar panel string.
Pros and cons of Parallel vs Series connections How to add up the amps and voltages by using the specs on the back of the solar panel.
Have you seen this video about parallel and series?
czcams.com/video/OZvrTuhJhXs/video.html
I would like to see a video on the uses of the 5521 barrel plug on several solar generators. I have been unable to find anything that they are useful for.
Awesome video. Confirmed a few things I just figured out... Mentioned a few things I didn't know / think about - such as not mixing and matching panels... I was expecting to do just that... oops. Now I'll look for a video that explains why... (without looking, I'm guessing voltage wants to flow downhill, so a lower voltage panel may need a reversing protection diode... and would thus likely never work... just a guess though... Now to think about why amperage might matter... ah - or better yet - how does a sonal panel work even... lol)
Thanks!
I've seen a couple of your videos and have been impressed by your knowledge base and style of delivery. I have a question that you may have had at one time -- these portable folding solar panels most likely have a weak point in their design at the hinge point -- repeatedly opening/closing these panels will eventually fatigue the connections leading to failure. Do you have any experience in this where you've noticed that there are some brands where these failures occur more frequently or with lesser cycles of open-close? I have been looking at a Bluetti PV350 or PV200 portable just in case you have any experience with either model.
I haven't used a panel enough to see them fail. I'm guessing you'd only see that issue if you were using it everyday for multiple years. If you are using a panel everyday you'll see the best life span out of a glass rigid panel instead of a flexible or portable panel.
Using MC4 extension cables between a BLUETTI EB55 and BLUETTI PV200 folding panel . QUESTION : How long of a distance between the two before I should switch to 10ga. ext. cables ? Your common sense explanations are unique . Thank you for all your time videoing , editing , etc. Best regards from Daytona Beach , Florida .
Thanks David! Anything over 30 feet I'd go with 10awg wiring to avoid too much voltage drop.
@@Jasonoid Thank you .
Excellent and many thanks for guiding us through the learning so easily.
I have a question. Do you have any thoughts about A1780 Anker 767 Portable Power Station (GaNPrime PowerHouse 2048Wh).
I have a full review on that model you can see here:
czcams.com/video/djUvu5D8Kmo/video.html
It's got a lot of really great features and performance. The only downside is the lower solar input voltage, it makes it hard to get the full 1000 watts input (shown in my review link)
Hi Jason, I'm considering the Bluetti AC200Max. What rigid panels would you recommend for max charging with a decent price?
Excellent video, by the way. Very well explained so that even a total noob like me can understand. You are appreciated!
Most brands are pretty close in performance. Just find the brand with a decent price. Some brand names to look at are NewPowa, Rich Solar, HQST, Renogy, and BougeRV.
Thank you Jason👍 As one of yo commenters said," Finally a guy I can understand." Well I'm a Pipe fitter with 25 years of brutality on electrically operating tools. I've quite recently found out exactly what you said. Electricity and piped fluids are very similar. Psi=voltage, ampheres=current. Solar panels equal potential energy, eg, a rain water catchment tank. If I want a drip irrigation to my pot plants of six, would I put a 1000lt tank? I could, but but I would need the appropriate valves(resistors) to do it. That would be expensive as 1lt of fresh water weights 1kilogram.. Oh Jason! Im only halfway through your video and Im commenting😂😂 you got a new subscriber. 👊👌🍻
very informative
Glad you found it helpful!
A lot of good info in this vid Jason,Ive decided to go with rigid panels for my Bluetti EB70S,,which is on its way,,will be sharing my panels to charge trailer batteries(not hooked up at same time),,was thinking on getting 2 Renogy 100w ,to start , now the big question,,can I use 3 100w panels on a not so clear day,,snow rain fog etc,,as long as they dont produce over the 200w 8amp capacity of the EB70S,or even partially cover 1 panel,or will it be regulated in the power station.just trying to max out charging on not so clear days,,Thanks again,,
Hooking those three panels in parallel will be fine on the EB70S, the power station will limit in the input amperage to 8 amps. Just don't connect them in series and you'll be fine.
Great video! Is the idle power consumption so high on that Bluetti AC200MAX that the battery will drain if there's no sun for 2-4 days if I have the DC or AC output on (or both) or off? Say I use a small 100W solar panel with it, it would take a week to fully recharge it just to drain again during a rainy season. If that's the case, which higher capacity (>1kWh) solar generator with minimal parasitic drain would you suggest?
For the larger power stations I recommend using the most amount of panels you can afford. 300 watts is a good place to start since large power stations take so long to charge with few solar panels.
thank you, great video. I subcribed and will look for more info. I'm an apartment dweller looking to charge a hybrid EV (small battery size), running a 8amp 110v wheelchair charger and a 700watt refrigerator ( I keep $20,000 worth of medication in the frig on average) . I'm going to get a power station that's expandable, Are extra bateries ok or are extra power stations advised. You were crystal clear about everything you covered in this video
If the extra battery is the same cost as the power station, I'd recommend buying the power station since it's much more useful!