200 watt solar panel

[Cryoman]

Does anyone know the manufacturer of the 200 watt panel that comes on the 200I solar package?

[wrvond]

It looks like the solar panels were provided by futuresales.com who no longer have a web presence.

[peanut]

From the Keystone website:
(no matter what I do I cannot get the image to go HERE - - -
so it is at the END of the post instead of where I want it)

https://www.fsi-solutions.com/

https://fsi-sales.com/collections/solar-panels
Don't see a 200W panel on this page. Perhaps they make one special for Keystone.

https://www.facebook.com/FutureSolutionsInc/

[wrvond]

Yeah, I don't know why I wrote future sales. I meant future solutions.
The owner's manual also says that you can use a 300 watt panel instead, but I have yet to find that critter.
This panel from Renogy looks to be the same, though:
220W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Here's what you are looking for, I think:
https://www.fsi-solutions.com/our-products

[wrvond]

I'm really liking the Renogy panel. I'd prefer 300W but for less than the price of one 300W panel from Future Solutions I can get two 200W panels from Renogy delivered. Plus, they've got 15% off sitewide right now. That's $45.00 off per panel.

[Cryoman]

Thanks all. I found the panel Keystone used and you can only get it through Keystone.. the Keystone panel has an open voltage of 40 volts. The Renology panel open voltage is 27 volts. Does this make a difference when paralleling panels?

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by Cryoman

Thanks all. I found the panel Keystone used and you can only get it through Keystone.. the Keystone panel has an open voltage of 40 volts. The Renology panel open voltage is 27 volts. Does this make a difference when paralleling panels?

I'd say no. The Voc is, to me, more of a safety thing than a performance thing. For one thing, your solar system is not going to be "no load" in use.
Your total Voc must be less than the maximum solar voltage allowed by the charge controller.
So if you are going to parallel them, your Voc would be 33.5 volts. I'm still figuring this stuff out, but I believe that means you wouldn't have to change out your solar charge controller right away.
If you wire them in series your Voc would be 67 volts, which might exceed the rating of your solar charge controller.

edit: the maximum PV Voc for the MPPT 75/10 is 75V.

[Canonman]

I'd ask the question, why does the OP want to add more solar panels?
Our 200w maintains our 2, 6 volt batteries with no problems. We dry camp for days at a time and while I still take our generator we haven't used it in over 3 seasons. We watch movies, listen to music and use all our 12 volt systems as much as we wish. Our real limiting factor is water.

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by Canonman

I'd ask the question, why does the OP want to add more solar panels?
Our 200w maintains our 2, 6 volt batteries with no problems. We dry camp for days at a time and while I still take our generator we haven't used it in over 3 seasons. We watch movies, listen to music and use all our 12 volt systems as much as we wish. Our real limiting factor is water.

I suspect he's wanting to DIY an upgrade to the Solar Flex 400i to be able to use the (up to) seven inverter connected 110 outlets.

Just a guess, though...

[Canadan99]

Originally Posted by Canonman

I'd ask the question, why does the OP want to add more solar panels?
Our 200w maintains our 2, 6 volt batteries with no problems. We dry camp for days at a time and while I still take our generator we haven't used it in over 3 seasons. We watch movies, listen to music and use all our 12 volt systems as much as we wish. Our real limiting factor is water.

Quick question: I have a 200W Renogy solar setup for my trailer. It works great for radio and lights. How are you able to watch movies? Do you have an inverter? My TV won’t turn on without running the generator and my granddaughter likes to watch movies on occasion.

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by Canadan99

Quick question: I have a 200W Renogy solar setup for my trailer. It works great for radio and lights. How are you able to watch movies? Do you have an inverter? My TV won’t turn on without running the generator and my granddaughter likes to watch movies on occasion.

Yes, I installed a small 750 watt inverter right at the entertainment center. I ran 10 ga wire from the battery through the cargo area to the inverter with a 10 amp inline fuse. You can see from the image, the factory cables from the inverter to the battery. I simply removed those cables, attached the wiring I ran from the battery and plugged the TV into the outlets on the face of the inverter.
We also use the USB ports on the inverter to charge the cell phones laptop etc.
The inverter has a switch so it can be turned off when not used as well as a voltmeter so I can monitor the battery state of charge. Very handy, very simple and very inexpensive; about $50

[Canadan99]

Originally Posted by Canonman

Yes, I installed a small 750 watt inverter right at the entertainment center. I ran 10 ga wire from the battery through the cargo area to the inverter with a 10 amp inline fuse. You can see from the image, the factory cables from the inverter to the battery. I simply removed those cables, attached the wiring I ran from the battery and plugged the TV into the outlets on the face of the inverter.
We also use the USB ports on the inverter to charge the cell phones laptop etc.
The inverter has a switch so it can be turned off when not used as well as a voltmeter so I can monitor the battery state of charge. Very handy, very simple and very inexpensive; about $50

Thank you! I’ve been researching inverters for a while now and wasn’t sure if I could hook one up to my tandem 6v batteries. My trailer is insulated underneath so running cables to the battery and placing the inverter will be a challenge but at least I know it will work. I’ve been looking at the Renogy 2000W inverter so my wife can run her Keurig or other items but again, the wiring is the main issue now.