Harbor Freight 100W Solar Setup with Charge Controller 2021

[@BigWaveDav1]

I installed 4-100watt kits to run things in my double wide on 5 acres in the mountains, 3 years ago. I use 4 marine deep charge 12 volt batteries in parallel as battery bank storage for when the grid power is shut off to keep the refrigerator, tv, some lights, etc. going instead of a fueled generator. It also runs my cooling during the spring/summer/fall months during the day and washing machine. It's separate from the grid power so nothing feeds back. It's been keeping my utility power bill low, while their rates keep jumping higher. I just purchased one of these newer 100watt panels to add on to my system and try it out. So far so good. Really easy to add on to my other roof mounted panels.

[@kethrill7223]

You should make a video on your setup I would love to see it

[@viridiana256072]

hey what king of carger are you using to handle the 4 pannels, should be one of 48v as you have 4 pannels,???

[@marcelahurtado4100]

This panel can put out close to 100 watts kzbin.infoUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

[@delisabell9659]

Thank you. I needed that tip on making sure the polarity is correct

[@jjames5475]

I liked your Video. Can you tell me How Many Panels and Batteries Etc . To run a Refrigerator. Thank You for your Help 👍

[@1framistan]

Wow! Thanks for the tip about the flipped polarity. I didn't know that and I am a retired electronics technician! They flip the polarity on an extension cord, which makes ONE of the ends have the wrong color! I think I would put heat-shrink of the proper color on those because ONE MISTAKE of wrong polarity can really do some damage to whatever you connect backwards. After 50 years of believing "RED" is positive.... "BLACK"" is negative.. I don't trust my future "self" to remember THIS ONE is backwards. Heat shrink tubing solves the problem so when I am older I won't FORGET.

[@danr97123]

thanks for sharing. good tip. i found it eventually :-)

[@kennymacdowell1257]

How can this help my electric bill?

[@kingtitan2051]

Do you know what the ocv should be set at on a single 100w panel? My says 5v. Anything would help. Can't find anything on it.

[@Mikey196601]

How long will that single panel take to charge that battery when it’s dead with good sun

[@FishHardGetLucky]

Can you use the polarity tester that comes with the wire kit from harbor freight? How does that work? In my opinion you should have setup everything on camera. The polarity issue is very confusing to most people.

[@danr97123]

Thanks for asking. Yes you can use the polarity tester that comes with the HF kit. Let me try to clarify the polarity issue. It’s simple you just need to ensure that the red positive (+) stays connected through the SAE connectors.

[@heatherk8931]

@@danr97123 sorry, that doesn't clear up the issue of hooking red to BLACK place on controller for us newbies. What do you mean cross over the red to black and so forth?, seems like it would be wrong to do that. That sets off alarms for some of your viewers! Thanks for answering this when you do.😊

[@jcallesano]

​​@heatherk8931 2 years later, still no response. Great. Cause this HF stuff is truly garbage. My panel is hooked up to the charge controller and doesn't charge the battery at all. Reads 00.0 amp regardless of the sun blasting the panel or not. Reads the battery at 12.5V. Doesn't read the panel charging/not charging the battery

[@juvi427]

I think you can swap where you used the halves of the cut in half adapter cable and the colors should match. (Use the half that is currently being used to connect the battery side over to be used for the solar connection, and then move the other half that was being used for the solar connection over to be used for the battery connection)

[@heatherk8931]

I had to read this 3x to get it. Lol. So because the cable he cut in half is male/female, the connection ends mating to ones on solar (for instance), from solar panel red is +, the connected cut wire side he plugged into Sae end happens to be the "far end" of the cut cable. If he had used the other cut piece, the colors would have matched. Got it. 🤪👍 BUT, that part he purchased was to in fact reverse the POLARITY (still don't know why).

[@juvi427]

@@heatherk8931 Yeah, I think I typed out erased and retyped out that comment about 5 times before I just hit submit =). SAE requires a lot of attention to setup when more then one connection is involved. His advice to check polarity before connecting the next section is defintely the way to go.

[@fabioforni5722]

They make connectors that will switch polarity and keep your wiring straight.

[@danr97123]

you are right. i should have just used that.

[@jeffersoncolledge9903]

Thanks for the video. I am using the harbor freight charge controller and im wondering if i need to flip the polarity on the panel and battery the way you have done here. Thank you

[@brionwhite6359]

I was just wondering why you have the red positive wire in the negative connection of the charge controller for both the solar panels and the battery?

[@thelazyfishkeeper2730]

just a note ,the company that sells this product simply used black wire for + and red for - i know backwards. that's why he explains it in detail in the video. it was rather confusing to me also

[@MultiHunter2012]

@@thelazyfishkeeper2730 if he flips the two it would be correct. The connection for the solar panel should have the bare red end so the hot wire going to the battery has the protected red end.

[@RVFreeDa]

What size wire goes into the CC. It’s not working with a #10 wire. I got it to work but it feels like I should be using a #12 wire.

[@AmbeChannel]

What is that means..17volts means cannot charge 12v battery using that controller.. I got the same problem..because that controller defaulted 14.5volts to cut off charging...

[@stevesidare2493]

A bit disconcerting that the SEA connectors flip the polarity. And are the panels waterproof?

[@xavierbreath2227]

You can get adapters to flip them back.

[@TicTac-g7m]

@@xavierbreath2227 Exactly. And they're cheap.

[@TicTac-g7m]

Yes, all solar panels are waterproof from rain (maybe not submerged, though). So that's not an issue. But hail resistance is very important to look into. Don't know how hail resistant these panels are. Maybe contact the company.

[@riverunner9978]

I found it odd that you connected that panel but didn’t show it? Reversed polarity is a problem .

[@jonphanspromotions]

I did not change the polarity on the charge control and I have the same setup as yours and its working fine. Are you suggesting that I did it wrong by not changing the polarities like yours?

[@danr97123]

no. that was unique to the adapters i used. however i still caution folks to be aware of polarity with this connector type. thanks for asking.

[@billhouchens7439]

@@danr97123 wait. These “SAE” connectors have +/- embossed on the connector molded end. Are you saying they’re incorrectly marked? Or are you saying your cable ends were unique, in that they were deliberately reversed? “SAE” implies standardization across manufacturers; are your unique ones mis-marked, or deliberately swapped at the actual male and female cable connections?

[@danr97123]

@@billhouchens7439 the issue is that when you join two of the HF SAE connectors together they do not allow you to connect black to black (-) or red to red (+). Instead it forces red to black connections. Its very easy to see when you do it, but maybe i did not show/explain it well.

[@jayden92312]

thanks for the info it was so helpful bro no I’m gonna power every single thing inside my trailer. Hell yeah thank you dude

[@dgkeierleber]

Thank you for the great videos on HF solar systems, content and production quality. Just getting started and have several questions. How do you setup multiple panels to the charge controller? The 35 Ahr battery seems pretty small, about 425 watts. Will the controller charge any 12 volt battery and multiple batteries connected in parallel? The rating of 100 Watts is based on what conditions and how you determine the actual power output of the setup? Thanks again, best regards, Dan

[@timcastle165]

I’m looking to put in a system like this to maintain my lawn tractor battery over the winter in my shed. Now the steps you laid out where to connect the battery first and then the solar panel in order to charge a 12 volt battery at the correct voltage. If I’m understanding this correctly, is when the sun goes down for the evening the charging will stop until it rises again in the morning and the solar charger should revert back to the proper charging voltage for that 12 volt battery, am I correct? Also does that charger controller work like an auto battery charger, if not do you know by chance if anyone makes one? Great video!!

[@aaronbinder6903]

Hey i enjoyed your video. One question though? Isn't that a 24 volt panel? I see the controller accepts 24 volts but you will need 2 batteries. Unless that's a 24 volt battery.

[@danr97123]

Thanks for asking. A 12V solar panel will deliver greater than 12V and usually has a published spec for this. The solar controller can mitigate this. The solar controller will supply the correct voltage for 12V battery charging. I did highlight one flaw in the design of the solar charge controller that i used; if you connect solar panel before battery, it will use the solar input to sense the battery voltage required and in my case incorrectly believe i had a 24V battery and thus apply too much voltage to charge a 12V battery. The solution is simple: connect the battery first and then the solar panel. There are other more expensive charge controllers that don't have this flaw but the design i used is very common among very cheap controllers.

[@aaronbinder6903]

Oh ok i understand now. Thanks for your reply. Take care.

[@aaronbinder6903]

Now i understand thanks take care.

[@imxploring]

@@danr97123 You should ALWAYS connect the battery to the charge controller first. Connecting the panels first will cause problems including toasting your controller.

[@TicTac-g7m]

@@imxploring Right you are!

[@hardtruth2039]

Ditch the SAE connectors and go with standard waterproof mc4’s.

[@DavidKing-tb8cc]

Forgive me for asking a dumb question. Why would I want 100 watt solar system I could see it charging my phone maybe for my laptop for a small jackery. But you couldn't use your microwave or most coffee makers. Second stupid question can you expand that system to 700 Watts

[@danr97123]

you are right. yes you can connect several panels together to have enough power to be useful. And you can use batteries that can store more charge for bigger spike loads.

[@melnelson688]

Can you use SAE polarity reverse adapter connectors and where to put them instead of changing red a black wires???????

[@danr97123]

that would be a better solution. i did not know they existed. thank you for sharing!

[@imxploring]

@@danr97123 I bought some on Amazon. Simple solution to the polarity issue.

[@danr97123]

@@imxploring i have now done the same. simple solution for sure.

[@imxploring]

@@danr97123 Funny... but some of the splitters and other SAE cables I've purchased actually came with the reverse adapters.... so the better cable suppliers are aware of the situation and provide the adapters to avoid the problem.

[@bowlampar]

Solar panel set up is usually not complicated but rather confusing, as each manufacturer has his own set of instruction with varies technical jargon in order to make his product work the way he wants. 🤔

[@George196207]

Just that the load out is not meant to run a inverter or a heavy load and doing so will result in damaged controller or a fire.

[@jungleghostsurvival]

I also notice you did not ground the panels

[@danr97123]

I did not but if it was a permanent installation, then I would.

[@midnightmyers3873]

Would this work on my bluetti ac50s, out if the box. Or would i need a connector?

[@danr97123]

You need an adapter but they are easy to find on Amazon

[@georgecharles941]

I have a Tera 1000 by 70mai and it has an Andersen solar input for a solar panel. How can I transfer the SAE plug to MC4 or Andersen inputs? Do I need a charge controller too?

[@imxploring]

Check on line... you should be able to find an adapter or just put new connector ends on the wiring you have.

[@George196207]

NO you can NOT plug the inverter into the load plug on charge controller !!!! It is for extreme low draw NOT a inverter ! Inverter connects to the battery with much heavier cables. ! Far as cables toss the fast connect buy the standard ones and wire it without confusion as to + - ! and way heaver wire preventing power loss . Just buy Pairs of Solar Panel Connectors and avoid any risk of a mix up !

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@jeffriffel4364]

Can this panel be used with the old system that came with a charge controller???? THANKS.

[@danr97123]

yes

[@jeffriffel4364]

@@danr97123 So you will have 200 w of charging power???

[@danr97123]

@@jeffriffel4364 yes, can be done easily. i am not personally doing that though.

[@jeffriffel4364]

@@danr97123 How many of the new panels can be ran on the older controller??? THANKS

[@johnn3542]

@@jeffriffel4364 the kit one has a 20 amp fuse, this panel says 5.5 amps. 200 watts of solar panels should run fine.

[@mmqqq8246]

Did you cut those ends off how did you do this ?

[@dennismyers9879]

Nice review and thanks..But confused. I have a small off grid, 300watt 12v Pv… 4 marine 105ah ea..Eco River max and a pro…This is for emergency only. And a hobby….Question is, the Harber freight 100 panels interest me But the 18v bothers me. QUESTION…can I integrate there with my 12v System?…Thanks guys, feed back is appreciated Dennis

[@danr97123]

my understanding is that "12V solar panels" often deliver far more than 12V. The solar charge controller will manage down the voltage needed to charge batteries or deliver the right voltage to the 12V out port if it has one.

[@dennismyers9879]

Thx D…

[@ericwitt4586]

Good info bud thanks

[@gregpeterman1102]

How much was the panel? $100? $89?

[@aaronbinder6903]

I saw it for $99 with over 90 Great Reviews!!

[@tonylo488977]

They were on sale briefly at $89 plus tax. Now they are $99 plus tax.

[@gregpeterman1102]

Cheaper stuff on Ebay.

[@TicTac-g7m]

@@gregpeterman1102 But eBay charges shipping. For HF you just drive over there. Also, amazingly enough, these Thunderbolt panels are actually decently rated!

[@kevreilly7]

If I want to add a second battery,,,does anyone know, do I set it up in a series or parallel?

[@murdiesel]

Great video!

[@bluesteel5841]

Can you hook a small powet inverter up to it to convert dc to ac,? To run like a fan or something small if want.

[@danr97123]

Yes. Best to add a battery to the circuit. Will ensure consistency and help with intermittent clouds.

[@TicTac-g7m]

Connect the inverter directly to the battery using appropriately sized awg insulated copper wire.

[@George196207]

NO. Inverter has to connect to the battery. One will not last long with only 100 watts and one battery . But yes a inverter can connect to a battery array but you will need a lot more than 1 one 100 watt panel . You can get monster 450 watt ones and connected they can power any thing while the sun is out . Just get ready to buy lots of storage Battiers for at night. Inverters suck away some power just being on. .

[@jamescopeland5358]

Good video

[@nickmartin1527]

Smokin! 🚬

[@mmqqq8246]

no idea what a multimeter is or how to check polarity can you explain

[@danr97123]

Without power applied you can do a continuity test with the multi meter. There is a setting that has a speaker icon; with this you can identify that the right wires are interconnected. Put one probe at one end of a wire and the other probe at the other end: if it beeps the the two ends are connected. Another option requires care- you can measure voltage with the MM. if the reading is -12 V, then the polarity may be reversed or wired wrong. If +12 v it is correct.

[@mmqqq8246]

@@danr97123 your reply sounds simple to you :) completely greek to me... im so embarrassed but i gotta ask so I can understand ..... what wires where to determine interconnected no idea ??? Also how to measure voltage where to put the probes >>. etc etc

[@FreddyFootlock]

@@mmqqq8246 lots of youtube videos about how to do this. ;o)

[@johnn3542]

@@danr97123 get a simple circuit science toy. Like snap circuits,. You can play with it hands on and see how things work.

[@aaronbinder6903]

Search Will Prowse on KZbin. Binge watch his videos and you will have a Masters Degree in Solar Technology! He knows everything about Solar and then some!!

[@carolynsparks3164]

What is the price of the solar panels?

[@danr97123]

About $100

[@brianmccann666]

I rather plug it into a Wall Socket to turn the power usage on the house down some.

[@nickmartin1527]

Wall sockets can take 500w or so in reverse feed I believe.

[@TicTac-g7m]

I would not do this without asking a qualified electrician FIRST.

[@heatherk8931]

Why do you have to FLIP POLARITY?

[@danr97123]

only because of the premade cable/connector configuration that flips polarity (by color code). i might have made it sound more complex that it is, but wanted folks that bought the same cable kit to be aware.

[@elpuga4825]

Volume to low. Can't hear anything.

[@claudiasimon3140]

wish this was a bit louder......very interest but difficult to hear.

[@danr97123]

Thanks for commenting. I will try to improve my audio.

[@mmqqq8246]

and explai how to direct wire in

[@YU5CF-sv2cq]

Wire make me confusion. always red is plus and black minus. But in your case not like that. WHY??????

[@cottonflannigan3671]

Friend, you will need 2 batteries for this 24 volt panel. God Bless

[@logangreen6977]

You don't need 2 batteries for a 24 volt panel. The panel doesn't charge the battery directly. It goes through the charge controller, which can take a range of voltage, typically between 12-28 volts in my experience. The charge controller will output the required voltage to charge the battery.

[@TicTac-g7m]

@@logangreen6977 Exactly.

[@robertsm4341]

Wired wrong

[@bitkahuna]

Get a decent microphone!