Best New Portable Solar Panel! Renogy 220 watt & 400 Watt Solar Suitcase!

[@johnnysweekends]

These New Renogy 220 watt and 400 watt Rigid solar panels are really nice. With my first trip scheduled i cant wait to see how they do and bring you more info. Renogy 400 watt panel will be used. What are your thoughts? #solar #renogy #rv #rvlife #offgrid Items in Video…… US Exclusive Discount: 5% Coupon code: Johnny400 UK Exclusive Discount: 5% Coupon code: Johnny UK coupon is valid from June 2nd to June 30th. Renogy 220 watt: amzn.to/3Vj2IUg Renogy 400 watt: amzn.to/455ijKh Renogy flexible 200: amzn.to/3yH2ptD Check below for awesome deals on large panels!! Have a question you want answered fast: asqme.com/@johnnysweekends SAVE BIG ON NEW SOLAR PANELS HERE: signaturesolar.com/?ref=JWKNDS BUNDLE & SAVE SHOP SOLAR KITS ! shopsolarkits.com/1134 CHEAP USED CERTIFIED SOLAR PANELS HERE: www.santansolar.com/?ref=Johnnys%20Weekends CHECK OUT MY AMAZON STORE: www.amazon.com/shop/johnnysweekends

[@mikecon7634]

I'm more impressed with your lawn. :)

[@johnnysweekends]

Thanks Mike! Now that I’m staying in my house a while longer I figured it was worth finishing the yard in the back. After building my wall and doing a ton of dirt work and then concrete I was spent!!! lol.

[@wagmiorngmi]

@@johnnysweekends I like the wall design as well as the lawn! What sort of the blocks are those? Real nice shadow effect so I guess they are slightly rounded? Are they just loosely placed on top of each other or cemented in ?

[@johnnysweekends]

@wagmiorngmi thank you. Yes those are stacked blocks from Home Depot that have a lip on the bottom rear to lock into each other. The very bottom row is flipped upside down and lip at the front. Then the whole wall is set to lean back slightly at about a 1/4 bubble. There are about 426 blocks. But when setting them you actually move over a 1000 blocks because you set it and then reset again especially the bottom row after you pack the bottom and get it set perfect. The bottom row took like 2 weeks then the rest of the wall took another two weeks. But the bottom is the most important for function and also to longevity. They still sell these block at Home Depot. The lawn is super thick. They make 40-60-90 and more as far as how they classify it I guess. I got the thicker stuff and had the yard completely prepped and ran out of steam lol. So I paid someone for the grass to be installed but since 90% of the prep was done it wasn’t bad. Like $4500 material included. But Any time i have someone over even a contractor they always look at the wall and ask who did it. Not bad for my first and hopefully only wall. But I spent about 6 months researching it and asking a lot of questions. Had a friend help for about 40 block or so and then asked him to stop 😂. I was great full for the help but not at how it was going up. A few years later it still sits at a 1/4 bubble. 👍🏼

[@yankeeownz9980]

I just received the Nurzviy 400w portable solar panel today and I'm highly impressed. 30 degrees and cloudy. The panel consistently stayed 390-410. All I did was lean it against the side of my house and tested with 20 ft and 50 ft xt60 extension cables and wattage stayed the same for both.

[@smoke5620]

Hello 👋 . I think this is a big change in portable panels and a great idea and improvement. Making them ridged and with the metal legs, this will make putting the panels up and down a big advantage especially for small systems, when you want to bring them in at night… just so your panels don’t walk off during the night !

[@johnnysweekends]

Agree. Way easy to set up and take down. Which if it’s a pain to do you find yourself using it less.

[@ThreeDayRV]

I did a review on the 400 and it performed very well in the spring Michigan sun. 350w, I'd agree with another person also, great lawn!

[@johnnysweekends]

I Love them so far, and thanks Lawn came out great !

[@fat_basturd5345]

You’ll probably get cancer touching that grass.

[@VideoShowMeHow]

Great test mate. Have a 400w set here in Brisbane Australia and have been very impressed. Regularly see 380-390w!

[@johnnysweekends]

Awesome!! Yea I really like these and can’t wait to see what they do on the trip but so far consistent 350-360 but it’s hot right now. When 60-70f they should be higher..👍🏼

[@Jasonoid]

I love these new Renogy panels! I haven't tested the 220w model yet but I sure love the 400w option. I have had one of those solar meters in my cart for a few weeks, I need to pull the trigger.

[@johnnysweekends]

I agree these new panels are defiantly gonna be a new favorite. Cant wait to use them more soon. Slightly bulkier than some others but performance and durability outweighs that. !! The meter is surprising !! Been using it a few times months now but was unsure of it. Surprised how well the darn thing works verses a $5000 fluke meter !!

[@deca12351]

Great video !!

[@DYT-jx4jp]

Thanks for the effort/review/video of these! For me, this will be on my short list of possible portable panels. Currently have 4 panel 200W that only has 3 supports and have decided future similar ones must have a support per panel. Yea, ideally need a way to "lengthen/shorten" the supports so can get the angle needed without the alternatives (e.g., pillows, I use scrap pieces of wood). As you said, appreciate wires b/w panels vs ribbon wire inside the bending area between panels. Wish a bit more slack on the wires though :-)

[@enkhyy]

Bi-folding legs for the panel stands would help.

[@shelley131]

I like the 400W option better than the one from EcoFlow. But the 220W bifacial from EcoFlow are killing it. I get around 240 to 250 just leaning them against the house. Great video Johnny.

[@johnnysweekends]

I’ll admit these are nice! The 220 bifacial from Ecoflow is a good performer but after using it several times I hated the cover and stand thing, and how it would not stay very straight. That stand!!! What were they thinking. Great performance and output though but not user friendly 👍🏼

[@jacobpetersen5662]

Have you checked out the new EF NextGen? I feel they're better than these. TopCon technology, better efficiency and EASILY achieve the full rated wattage even when it's hotter. They're pretty cool. I have their 220W and 160W and I live in Texas. BOTH, over achieve. I can't wait for their 400W.

[@jacobpetersen5662]

@@johnnysweekends Check their new NextGen panels.

[@johnnysweekends]

@jacobpetersen5662 I have seen them but until I have one side by side hard to tell to say they are better. Now most bi facials will sometimes provide more power over all but depends where it’s used and mounted. But those are portable. Now after having the last ones that are thin like that with ribbons connecting them I see them as more a light duty panel. Good performance but if they have issues like the other versions and fall apart then the renogy would be a better buy. Plus I like a support leg under all panels. But again unless I have it side by side to play with for a week or so…..hard to really give a good evaluation verses my stated opinion I just gave 😂👍🏼

[@florentz1255]

great review! I want to add this as additional panel to the existing solar panel , to charge my portable battery, What the adapter/cable called to connect both panel?

[@eugenebreindel]

I see the 220W comes without or with a controller. (The Voyager 20A for $127.62 & Hardware seems high to me.) I guess the 400W comes without? I've always liked & recommended the Renogy 200W Suitcase but these look pretty nice. I have seen many nomad friends with the lightweight "Canvas covered" panels go bad mostly because of the stressful connections between panels breaking. I'll keep an eye out for a follow up. Great video!😁

[@johnnysweekends]

I’ll be using the 400 for a few days starting tomorrow. The 220 is nice but the combo seems high. I would by separate and get a better mppt controller unless you are using a smaller setup then the pwm ones work just fine

[@eugenebreindel]

@@johnnysweekends I have a 2018 Aliner Expedition, 400W of HQST flex panels, 2S2P, on the dormers & a 206 Ah SOK using a Victron 100/30 CC & Smart Shunt. I am full time and never hook up anywhere. I am wondering about the durability of this new style from Renogy & if it will develop connections problems between the individual panels. In their old style suitcase systems the wires never really got sharply bent and seem to be pretty durable. Limiting these through those little grommets at the edge maybe a stress / fatigue point for the connecting wires. I think the rest of it looks wonderful.

[@johnnysweekends]

@eugenebreindel I wonder the same. One of my first questions. In the literature and my contact said it was tested over 3000 openings and closings which is a lot. So here is hoping

[@Homeland.]

Someone needs to make a automatic sun follower portable solar panel receiver.

[@Firefly-101]

I just bought mine and when it came in my wires in the middle two panels got stuck and pinched badly. I had to return it as I knew the wire would be damaged. There is some quality control issues and possibly Amazon selling returns as new when they are damaged or defective. $600 you expect that each system should have been opened and closed to make sure the wires go through the grommets. The 2 end panels worked fine but the middle wire would not slide like it should. Also the packing material could have been better, the handle was all scuffed up because there is no padding for the handle. I do wonder if they send out checked models to review?

[@johnnysweekends]

Wow , it wouldn’t surprise me. Amazon seems to be a little shifty lately and even makes their own rules about what generators can be sold in CA. Even some you can pick up in a store or buy and have shipped to Walmart. I have gotten boxes from them and am like what…?

[@Firefly-101]

@@johnnysweekends Did you double check and make sure you wires are pinching anywhere? Reason I say this is I didn't notice at first, what I saw was the stress mark on the red wire, they under close examination I found the wire were no sliding through the rubber grommet easily. It struggled when I tried to pull the wire through, you could feel the friction.

[@johnnysweekends]

@Firefly-101 I had one wire that does stick a little. The rest are fine. I feel the rubber grommets may some times stick, but also I feel all the holes should be maybe a couple millimeters bigger. The design is fine but I think if holes are bigger then is would allow freer movement. Out of 3 panels, 2 400s, and one 220…..one wire sticks. The others are just snug but dont see them causing a problem unless maybe they get really dirty which then you should clean.

[@Firefly-101]

@@johnnysweekends this is good to know. the company wont fix anything unless the reviewers post the defects.

[@Armenian]

@@Firefly-101problem is, most reviewers don’t test these things far out in the actual wilderness and over a period of time. They receive the product and review them out of the box. When those wires get pinched and you are deep in a national forest, you are screwed. Its also unacceptable to me that these kickstands are not adjustable. What a piss poor engineering design. Hey Renogy, if you are reading this, fire your chinese engineers and qc division.

[@romantashevRT]

Which one would you prefer: One 400w or two 220W from Renogy? The two 220W come little cheaper than the 400W). Thank you

[@johnnysweekends]

If you can only choose one then two of the 220s ! 👍🏼

[@romantashevRT]

@@johnnysweekends thank you very much. 🙏

[@notacluebbq2500]

Hi. Would the 400 watt version of this be suitable for a Bluetti AC180? I believe the input on the Bluetti AC180 is 10A max but as Amps are drawn and not pushed, would this be OK? If it would be suitable, is there likely to be much of a "watts in to the Bluetti" penalty with the panel only providing 10Amps vs 11Amps? Thank you very much.

[@johnnysweekends]

Yes will work for bluetti You just have to worry about not going over your input voltage. Typically need to stay a minimum of 10volts under. Over paneling is ok along with over amps. Never match or go over the voltage or magic smoke comes out.

[@notacluebbq2500]

@@johnnysweekends Haha! That's great! Thank you very much for taking the time to reply! I wish the best to you and your family!

[@shawnmcclelland9061]

Could the 400 power my jackery1000 faster? Do they work with Jackery

[@johnnysweekends]

Yess!! You will need MC4 to the 8mm pin connection you have. Something like this here….amzn.to/45dHx9A

[@Sea1fly]

What’s the video on your hand or panels?

[@greggfur9626]

Thanks for your review on the Renogy solar panels. What do you think about the Pecron PV200 200w portable solar panel IP67 that is $239 (listed for $420 but now is 43% off)? That would be only $478 for two 200w panels.

[@johnnysweekends]

I just did the review on the pecron 3600 unit and 300 watt panel It’s light, flexible and has had decent performance in my not so great testing conditions. But it’s flexible as in almost to flimsy, plus I wonder how many times it will open and close and not have the ribbon connection wires fail. May last a long time, maybe not. The price is good though. And maybe the 200s won’t be as flimsy. If needing portable it could be a good option, if leaving in back yard though definitely go with rigid if you don’t plan to move things much.

[@Don008Ramon]

At that price might as well buy manufacturer of the solar generator panels

[@outbackeddie]

Is that artificial grass? Damn, I wish my lawn looked that good. BTW - I use beach balls to angle my panels. I got two of them at Walmart at the end of summer a few years ago for $1.00 each and they work great for adjusting angles. It sounds stupid I know, but I am cheap and these work well so what's not to like?

[@johnnysweekends]

Yes it is! Beach balls work! Hey what ever makes them work. 👍🏼

[@sunshine3914]

How much does air temperature play in collecting solar?

[@johnnysweekends]

A decent amount. I have a video showing temp difference on a 100 watt panel. On a cool day I was getting about 98 watts if I remember.. verses a couple days later and 100 degrees I was getting around 88 watts I think. Been a while. But if you have 4 panels or more that spread adds up. So on a cool day I could see 385 possibly on the large 400 verses the 360..👍🏼

[@sunshine3914]

@@johnnysweekendsThanks. I have a friend that swears hers doesn’t charge on a cool day in FL, yet, I known she watches Canadians who don’t seem to have her problem.

[@johnnysweekends]

It probably doesn’t charge because as it cools down the voltage goes up. Which if its not charging her voltage may be to high and the charge controller clicked off in protect mode. She could be damaging the unit.

[@heart4Pahoa]

I do like the Renogy gear, but the price is hard to stomach. I do appreciate you going over the heat soak for those that are newer to solar, so they get a real world understanding of what to expect from their panels. The fact is there is a panel lottery and some panels just do better from one batch to the next. Thank you for the great videos. Interested to see what your trip results yield on these panels. Safe travels to you and yours.

[@johnnysweekends]

@heart4Pahoa I have two 400 watt panels I’ll be taking and so far both are really close to each other

[@stv111play]

but how do ya connect it to rv

[@johnnysweekends]

There are a lot of ways. Depends on your setup. But most common is a charge controller close to your batteries and then a pigtail then a 20-25 solar cord put to the panels

[@sunshine3914]

Did you film the concrete addition?

[@johnnysweekends]

I did coat it with a stain and enhancer. It lasts about 3-4 years.

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Good video, been looking at those, they seem nice. Don't think anyone makes adjustable portables do they?

[@johnnysweekends]

Haven’t seen any like this that are more adjustable, and most have limited adjustment

[@mariojalata5259]

Would this be ok to be used on a semi permanent basis. Like leaving it outside all the time and occasionally taken out?

[@johnnysweekends]

More permanent should be glass panels. Sure it will work but wasn’t designed for full time according to instructions

[@bookooc5605]

Have you checked out Big Blue 400 watt panels?

[@johnnysweekends]

Yes! Performance is pretty poor for the price… not nearly as nice and won’t last as long. Buddy tested it and he said no.

[@dag221]

Are they tri-fuel compatible? Disappointing if they aren't.

[@johnnysweekends]

Huh ?

[@MoonlightingJames]

@@johnnysweekends There are some pretty strange people out there and some of their comments are not worth your time. Thanks for your vid. Slowly working my way through all the Renogy videos before I make the purchase. Some commenters are concerned about the adjustable legs, but I see them as being sturdier than what's on EF panels ( I have a Delta 2) and if they are not the correct angle then as someone else said "use a beach ball" or make an adjustable one out of wood. No biggie. You have explained what I need to know the best. Tanks.

[@brucemurphy2735]

I believe that you can tell a lot about an organisations customer service when you try to communicate with them. In some cases no one is at home and you might be best going elsewhere

[@Homeland.]

After losing almost $400 dollars on portable solar panels i was finally satisfied with Lum-pal 60w. And I can tell you that you i could not find someone to repair any of these either. You almost can't find a place to buy them other than the Internet.

[@daveg4353]

9 days later, and I think your coupon code already isn’t working

[@johnnysweekends]

Thanks for letting me know because it’s supposed to work for a long time so I’ll get ahold of them.

[@wipatriot510]

Renogy has a good product, but I went with Rich Solar for my portables...

[@chrisb6866]

I asked Rich solar a few questions on their website, and they never answered... So I went with Renogy....

[@wipatriot510]

@@chrisb6866 You have to remember you're not the only one asking questions, IF you want answers, send an email or better yet, call them...expecting them to monitor and respond to everything on their website is absurd...

[@johnnysweekends]

I prefer these over the rich solar. But some of the rich stuff is ok as well.

[@Whitebear80]

What is the cost.

[@sunshine3914]

I can see the cost by clicking the description. Pretty reasonable.

[@johnnysweekends]

Im kinda not mentioning prices anymore. In the long run im tired of being told it’s this price or your lying because of demand it went up $100. Prices fluctuating all the time up and down so now I kinda dont mention it as much. Less people calling name out on stuff i have no control over

[@AskIveSolar]

Am I tripping here, doesn't it seem like if the 400 open differently, it would be better? I don't have one so I'm only going off of these videos.

[@johnnysweekends]

After playing with it for a few days and the amount you will truly open and close it I think it should last a long time. But will see.

[@perkunast9680]

Way over priced!!.