BEST VALUE? Solar Panel Kit Unbox & Install | Eco-Worthy 200w

[@elle6596]

I just finished setting up my ecoworthy 720w solar panel system down the bottom of my garden. Found this video today whilst searching for instructions on how to set up my 60a controller as after 18 months of putting it off I'd lost that particular piece of paper! To anyone who has bought a kit, because they don't know what they're doing, I really recommend that you either stick religiously to the instructions and don't change anything about the layout or spend some serious time learning everything you need to know! On my son's advice - he's Australia, I'm UK - I changed things, added a fan, a fuse box, an isolator switch for the panels, ran an armoured cable up the garden etc. It turned out ok but like I said, I dithered, I fussed and I worried. Then I worried about electrocuting myself....I didn't! Turns out rubber gloves and most rubber-effect shoes insulate fairly well 😂 I changed a couple of things and it caused doubt, dithering and a lot of buying the wrong parts, 18 months worth of procrastination but now I think we're there. Just in time for winter 🙄.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Cheers for sharing👍 Imho as an amateur backyard mechanic, you can't go too far wrong with these things (even switching the cables). But everyone will have their own experiences o course! Glad it is working for you👍😎

[@brazoon1]

That smile at 4:49 cracked me up. I feel like it spoke a thousand words. lol

[@ASimplyFabLife]

😉 😂

[@marcosavio1020]

Looks like the kit is cost effective, agree the 100w panel size is ideal for trailer / roof rack mounting. The additional splitter cables will allow connecting of the panels is series (24 volts input lower current supply) or parallel (12 volt input higher current supply). Series connection considered more efficient for the controller to manage variable sunshine conditions. Does the manual mention if it is a PWM / MPPT controller (pricing suggests the cheaper PWM technology), which is fine for what you wish to power. Love your makeshift weather workshop 👍🏻

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Yes it is PWM... 👍😉

[@themeetings8522]

Well done, great to watch & learn.

[@aaronsenger8046]

Get yourself a small deflector for the front of the roof of the trailer to block small rocks and road debris from shattering your panels while going down the road.

[@Jenuin]

Great video. Thank you. I just bought these for my trailer.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Glad I could help. It is a good setup - plug and play and still going strong. One thing i would do is get the best battery you can (something I regret as this is the weakest link here...). Good luck and enjoy the free power!

[@a96futurecreator96]

Why don't you put the solar panel outside so that the sunlight can hit the the panel directly? I'm pretty sure the solar panel is not charging enough current in your situation.

[@DamienMcManusDrone]

great vid mate, just about to pull the trigger on this kit and was looking for reviews before i took the plunge, looking to put some backup power for the garage so thinking about adding a 40 amp mppt controller to future prof it. well done again.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Glad it was helpful 👍. And, yes, I would go ahead an get a 40 amp controller because I did add another panel (for 300w) thus needed a different controller (these are cheap as anything anyway, right?). Mind you, the extra panel came with nothing else, so I needed 3-1 connector cables and some of my own brackets to mount it. In that respect this is a good set (and good value) where you get everything you need and it is plug and play. Good luck!😀

[@matterhorn1975]

I did not use those pre drilled slots for bolting the panel to the bracket, i drilled smaller holes, just big enough fornthe screws to go through, also that way I could plan it so they missed the ridges on the roof of the camper

[@ASimplyFabLife]

A good solution! 👍👍

[@johnnyzee383]

How would you possibly know how it works??

[@qqqqq11111qqqqq]

I am running a 100w panel in my window. It is leaning back on to a pull-down shade. It pulls 50w and I just bought another one to go next to it. I checked the temperature of the panel and it is 120f. my question is I don’t want to start a fire. How hot is to hot.

[@PeaceAndLove303]

The Eco Worthy controllers are poor you need a MPPT controller. I got the kit and everything was great once I changed the controller to a MPPT controller.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

You’re correct. The PWD controller is not nearly as efficient. However I found it okay for our purposes with three panels and 130A battery it kept our fridges cold and charged the laptops

[@PeaceAndLove303]

@A Simply Fab Life excellent I'm glad it works for your needs, you would only need to change the controller if it didn't quite charge as a MPPT does. You saved yourself some money and that's what our solar set ups is all about. Thanks for sharing your videos I enjoy watching them 😊

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Cheers 👍 and thanks for watching 😃

[@sunjayjay240]

can you connect different pv Arrays to Ecoworthy combine box eg one array 135V dc other 180v dc array what is the net Dc current🈁🈁

[@PeaceAndLove303]

@@sunjayjay240 ECO-WORTHY 6 String PV Combiner Box is suitable for photovoltaic grid-connected and off-grid power generation systems. 6 String Configuration, Max current of single PV input array is 10A. Each String Continuous Duty Rated at DC 250V. Single PV input array installs with high voltage fuse, its function over-load, over-charge protection. Anti-Backflow Diodes, Anti-Backflow & Anti-Reverse Protection, Touch-safe Circuit Breakers & Non-conductive Box. Professional high voltage breaker controls output, with anti-circuit protection and make the system more reliable and safety.

[@morenitao1o1]

What kind of battery is that?

[@carlosguzman-md2mt]

in paralell i was geeting 80watts but in series i am getting 244watts

[@violeturviolet5]

Hello will these panels work with a Ecoflow River power station... I'm trying to get an affordable solar panel for my power station?? and if not ,do u have any suggestions on affordable panels??

[@MrPlytiger]

Its a good idea to read the manuals. Solar panels need direct sunlight to work properly, they won't produce much power under that plastic sheet because it is blocking the sun. Maybe this is why your previous 600W setup didn't work , its your fault, not the seller or manufacturer of that system. That controller you are using also has a very specific process for connecting it up and disconnecting it, if you don't follow that specific procedure it will damage it or not detect the battery type correctly. For anyone watching this video this is very bad information and how not to wire up solar systems.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Cheers bro. Surprised I haven't blown myself up yet😂😝 (ecoworthy did ask to use this unbox vid on their website - lord knows why🤷‍♂️😅)

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

Nice work again my friend, I hope the bolts and washers are stainless.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

You and me both!

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

@@ASimplyFabLife Hi Marcel, you can check with a magnet, inox is mot magnetic.

[@vic6820]

I thought you need a fuse on the controller to battery positive.

[@stkenno8758]

That’s what I thought , any idea what amp fuse is needed for this set up ?

[@vic6820]

@@stkenno8758 I would say 50 amp. It depends on your cable though.

[@vic6820]

@@stkenno8758 This guy knows his stuff. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfOdYOwp6ZgsNk

[@stkenno8758]

@@vic6820 thank you Vic, it’s a bit overwhelming as I’ve never tried it before. I messaged the manufacturer and they said the set up didn’t require any fuses (as supplied in the inverter and control panel) but if cables carry current surely they need isolating in case of damage etc?

[@vic6820]

@@stkenno8758 if I were you, I'd follow the wiring diagram from the link I sent you. On there, there is also loads of info on cable sizes and fuses etc. It's not difficult, it just requires some thought and patience.

[@irishseaswimmer]

Good vid, well done. How did it work out now some time has passed? Thanks Al.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

After installing a third panel for 300w it all functioned great. (had to change the controller for a 25 amp one). They still made sufficient power in cloudy and dusty conditions and held up perfectly on some rough roads with the trailer bouncing around. The weak link was the batteries I chose... It pays to install the best you can afford (pun intended)... Hope this helps a litle. I guess I'll do a quick follow-up video (one year later review) Cheers!

[@darrenvass8023]

Hi, is it possible to charge the batteries independently with a standard car battery charger ?

[@jacquesmertens3369]

More than 15 minutes of blabla and I still know nothing about the performance of the panels.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

😁😂yep - can't deny that this is the 'unbox' video... For what it's worth I think I did better here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWGqhHqOptaKrdk

[@HughOKelly]

I am very new to this. How long to make the battery full ? How many boiling kettles can you do? How long would a 13 amp bulb last ?

[@ASimplyFabLife]

This is also our first go at a solar panel (kit). What I DO know is that we have 200w (300w with the extra panel) for about five hours good sunshine a day. This means roughly 1500Wh (watt hours) of battery charging. This is enough to recharge our 105Ah lead acid battery. How long the power will last depends on the battery. Ours runs our camping fridge (only). This seems to be all the battery can provide (60w continuous draw and peak 400w on starting) but we are still testing. All cooking is on gas and lighting is LEDs. Hope this helps a bit.

[@HughOKelly]

@@ASimplyFabLife A great help,thank you. I am going to keep buying until I don't need any mains in the house.

[@justinmilner390]

hi @A Simply Fab Life, is it possible to wire a series of outlets from the inverter or are you limited to the plugs on the inverter? Thanks

[@ASimplyFabLife]

I just plugged an extension lead with extra plug sockets into the inverter. And another from there to the back of the trailer. Now we have seven in total (a bit overkill - but I had these lying around). Has been working fine for me (if you keep an eye on total watts with everything, of course).

[@myview1875]

I am thinking about purchasing the 120w eco worthy kit to fix to my shed roof. 😀. I have a question do I have to purchase a battery to use the solar panel or can I plug a usb cable into the power controller and charge something straight from that on a sunny day. 🤔.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

The solar controller in the kit has a couple of usb outs, so you can charge something direct with a usb cable, like mobile phone, iPad, bluetooth speaker, led lights etc. It is only when you would like to charge laptops, or perhaps run a fridge that you need a converter and hence a battery. Hope this helps 👍

[@myview1875]

@@ASimplyFabLife Much appreciated. 🙂. Thank you. 👍. Great answer. 🙂. I am thinking of buying one soon. 🤗.

[@marktan3668]

What can be achieved with 200watt ‘kit’ ? I guess not much, starter toy kit.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

At the risk of being trolled here, I'll respond by saying you answered your own question🧐 It _is_ my starting foray into the world of solar wizardry - on a budget, of course! Does it work? Yessir!

[@marktan3668]

@@ASimplyFabLife all good intention. I started with 200 watts. Good we have Walmart to trial/error/return parts. Just that, keep it low low budget, lest it becomes an expensive toy. My greatest reward is 10000 BTU aircon, we have 8 months of heat in Vegas.

[@ASimplyFabLife]

@@marktan3668 Okay, cool, thanks. Ah, yes - Nevada heat (will need to visit one day). What I HAVE learned so far is the limitations of 110Ah battery (need to spend more money on this).

[@Gmanxie]

Does it come with the black waterproof gland box?

[@ASimplyFabLife]

No, I added the box myself

[@gerardhamon957]

Hello Marcel ! comment as-tu fait pour acheter les 2 panneaux de 150 W avec la référence que tu as mise ? cette réf. propose qu'un seul panneau , merci de ton aide

[@ASimplyFabLife]

Bonjour Gérard ! Ils ont changé le lien sur amazon. C'est en fait: www.amazon.fr/ECO-WORTHY-Monocristallin-100Watts-Hors-r%C3%A9seau-Camping-car/dp/B08KZJ4N26?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1 (J'ai changé sur le description vidéo). Merci de me le faire savoir 👍😊

[@gerardhamon957]

@@ASimplyFabLife Merci Marcel, je suis un novice dans ce domaine donc je vais regarder de nouveau ta vidéo pour le branchement des appareils, pour mes prochains voyages je souhaiterais en installer sur ma remorque pour alimenter un réfrigérateur d'une puissance nominale absorbée = 90W + de l'informatique et un peu d'éclairage, faut-il ajouter d'autres appareils : convertisseur 220V etc... pour alimenter tout ça ?

[@ASimplyFabLife]

@@gerardhamon957 Salut. Oui, vous aurez besoin d'un convertisseur pour alimenter vos appareils. Les panneaux solaires sont connectés à la batterie par un contrôleur (qui contient parfois un port USB - pour les téléphones, la navigation, les haut-parleurs portables, les batteries de téléphone de rechange, etc.). De la batterie, vous devez convertir en 220v et aurez besoin d'une puissance minimale de 350/400 watts (de préférence un pur sinus si vous alimentez des ordinateurs portables (le réfrigérateur s'en moque). Je recommanderais au moins 600 watts. Nous utilisons un convertisseur de 350 watts (on nous l'a donné) depuis trois mois mais il a du mal si nous connectons réfrigérateur, ordinateurs portables et téléphones... Également une batterie de 100 Ah au minimum (nous en avons une et testons toujours si nous pouvons être complètement indépendants).

[@ThereandBackFilms]

Did you negative ground the batteries?

[@ASimplyFabLife]

No sir - only earthed the converter.

[@drecoracing]

Dude, what wat the output? In amps or watts?

[@ASimplyFabLife]

200 watts - 100w per panel. Have now added a third one 👍

[@jeremycooke7102]

Did you seal the mounting plates bolt hoes... I would!!!

[@bobseguin2195]

My experience with eco worthy..........not good........

[@jeremycooke7102]

Holes!!! Not hoes!... that's a whole different thing! ☺😉🤣