Harbor Freight VS NewPowa 100 Watt Solar Panel

[@johnnysweekends]

The NewPowa Solar Panel uses newer tech type cells and is a lot smaller. Better?? Find out and let me know your thought #solar #harborfreight #test #solarpanel ITEMS IN VIDEO…… Test Meter: amzn.to/3JHmW3E EcoFlow power station: amzn.to/3XxlTJo Inline Test Meter: amzn.to/3ptyCQI MC4 Crimper Kit: amzn.to/43cmvFw MC4 to SAE Adapter: amzn.to/44K8yQz NewPowa Solar panel: amzn.to/3PEK7jc Direct Questions for fast response ...asqme.com/@johnnysweekends CHECK OUT MY AMAZON STORE: www.amazon.com/shop/johnnysweekends If you feel I helped you out..Buy me a Coffee 👍🏼🙌🏼👊🏼😀 www.buymeacoffee.com/johnny5120J

[@lakejeaz]

The HF with a coupon is $ 99 this week for 100W. Prime Day has these NewPowa 9BB 100w panels for $60. You can only buy one at that price, so my wife and I each bought 1. That's 200w for $120!!! Then you can get the 2 pack on a prime day deal for $125. So for just under $250, I bought 400W of Solar panels. I plan on making them into folding suitcases and using them for camping. I like that they are smaller than the HF panels.

[@johnnysweekends]

Nice. Yea I have a done a few suit case builds and the small Newpowa would be great for a small suitcase

[@richeastmain4031]

I have 6 of the HF panels and have never been disappointed in the performance. Here in NY State on a perfect day I can get at or occasionally a few watts more than rated output. I can’t ask for any more than that. And I like the fact that I can pick them up locally and not have to be concerned about shipping damage. I look them over before I leave the parking lot. And remember, never buy anything at HF without a coupon!

[@johnnysweekends]

Exactly always use the coupon..👍🏼

[@chadrogers3161]

I already knew what the end would be since i own both brands but had to watch whole thing anyway. Lots of people are quick to bash the H.F. panels without even trying them for themselves. Look at actual cost per watt produced!! Maybe they degrade faster when permanently installed outside 🤔🤔 But for me and anyone else that doesnt leave them outside they win! J.M.O.

[@johnnysweekends]

Well like most say they are probably under rated but I prefer that. Would rather get 98-99 watts verses 80 from a hundred watt panel. Kinda leaves ya disappointed 😂 Just trick me and make me feel better 🤣

[@chadrogers3161]

@@johnnysweekends right! They start new at only producing 80% what listed as. 😤

[@flowerpt]

So, NewPowa wins on amps/$ and amps/m² but HF wins on amps per single unit because it's bigger? I suppose I'd tile a roof with one and take the other camping.

[@juanalvarez3507]

Which one are you going to use for roof tiling and which one is going camping?

[@Backtrack3332]

@@juanalvarez3507 I'm guessing the NewPowa for camping as it's more portable

[@tribalncgaming1091]

HF panel has outperformed every panel in its class hands down.. i bought 2 at 89.99 ea,..for my RV, I originally bought a foldable portable 2x 100w renogy set of panels.. i dont get more then 60-65w PV from each of those, while the HF has hit as high as 117w .. with stead 90-105w right next to the renogy.. luckily i only paid 50.00 for the renogy pair .. used ..would not pay new prices for them at all.. they are the basis for panels for my RV .. i am running each pair in series for 24v 6-7amps and going to add two more individual 24v 240w panels 9amps .. to get my PV to 800w for the camper.

[@PWoods-cd6tk]

I started with the Newpowa, so I have continued using them to keep the size consistent. I've got 29 of them. I routinely get between 70 and 80 Watts out of them during peak sunlight. I've got 2 PWMs and 2 MPPT Controllers, and the only exception are 4 in parallel on 60 ft of 10 gauge on a PWM- they'll typically hang between 60 and 65 watts - they would hit 70 - 75 at 40 ft. The size, weight, and price are worth it to me. I think HQST Poly and Mono 100 watt panels are probably the best bang for the buck though. I purchased a 20 amp Bouge RV PWM Lithium, a HQST Mono 100watt, and 10 ft of MC4 cable for around $100 for my single battery and inverter setup at work and routinely get over 80 Watts.

[@narutobroken]

Harbor freight wins yet again

[@anthonyglaser929]

when you started testing them each individually you attached them to some sort of measuring gadget that looks like maybe a fan or something with meter built in. What is that. gadget and how did you have them attached to measure the draw?

[@johnnysweekends]

It’s a DC tester/ discharger. I reconfigured it to handle 400 watts and make a solar connection

[@RamblinBobReviews]

Great video Johnny !!!!! We have been recommending these harbor freight panels for months on our channel. WE LOVE THEM (own 6 x 100w mono panels from harbor freight) HUGE PROS: 1. Walk or drive a few miles and buy one today 2. Return them if you ever needed (same day) 3. NO SHIPPING 4. Huge power output compared to it's rating (Max we ever recorded on video was 122.5w) on really cold day 5. Built in legs for easy portable setup CONS: 1. They don't make 200 watt panels 2. They don't make 300 watt panels 3. They don't make 400 watt panels 4. They don't make 500 watt panels note: But when they do, You can bet on us buying those and testing them :)

[@johnnysweekends]

They do great for small builds 👍🏼

[@wastedcentury1805]

I bought two of the Newpowa panels for $64 apiece, applying a coupon on Amazon, solely to make a solar suitcase. I knew darn well the 100 watts was a bogus claim, due to the size. I used the prop rod technique from your other video. Very pleased. I put two handles on top so it's easy to swing open. I normally get 140-150 watts connected in series in full sun. I have seen as high as 167, albeit briefly.

[@johnnysweekends]

Ohhh nice!! They are great for a suit case since they are smaller.

[@htoddgriffin4787]

I had a Newpowa 100w full size panel and frequently saw 110-115w under ideal conditions. I'm surprised they would over rate one of their products like the compact 100w panel since my experience with them makes me think they're a solid company. I bought 4 of their 160w panels last year and they contacted me to say they were out of stock and offered me the 180w version at no extra charge. Cool. I now have 2-360w solar suitcases plus another 180w mounted to the roof of my CX-9 for 900w total. In the summer I've seen it over 900w on several occasions, but 750+ for several hours a day is normal. Overkill in the summer even with A/C and a fridge in my tent, but I never run out of power, even if I go camping in the winter. I've had about 30 of their panels and they've always shipped fast and have been well packed and arrived undamaged from the opposite coast, so they're kind of my go-to brand for my hairbrained projects. Came back to edit this and say I may give more thought to my solar projects in the future. Maybe I've been lucky having panels that perform up to spec in that I just generally have good conditions. It might be worth while to consider how different panels perform in different wiring configs and under more difficult conditions to find a panel with the best average performance. I know I've found some pretty big differences in manufacturers panels based on nothing but heat tollerance alone.

[@rosepaul9681]

Love these comparison videos. Have you ever considered testing the Harbor Freight suitcase solar panel (100 watt)? We have a Harbor Freight in the next town over, so it's fun to watch all the testing.

[@johnnysweekends]

It’s a duplicate of the flex I believe. I looked it up about 6 months ago so it’s just a copy. Maybe it was Rich solar. At least pretty sure.

[@rosepaul9681]

@@johnnysweekends There are two different kinds of 100 w folding solar panels. I'm talking about the one that is rigid glass panels, briefcase style, with a carrying case. People use it for on the go since it comes with a sturdy kickstand and is waterproof.

[@johnnysweekends]

Yea the rigid one that HF has I’m about 95% percent sure it’s a copy of another company. I looked into it about a year ago. But for not much bigger you could buy two of the thunder bolt panels and make a suitcase for about the price

[@rosepaul9681]

​@@johnnysweekendsThanks for the suggestion.

[@Paintbl99]

Awesome video - thank you! Just picked up a HF panel for my 16 foot travel trailer. Looking forward to using it this Spring and Summer!

[@peterbennett8810]

Measuring the surface temperature with a spot radiometer at that angle is not recommended, and you will have an average temp, not the highest. This is due to the nature of a fixed spot ratio, eg 1in/12in.

[@kamelie1706]

Unfortunately no HF available in Europe… Ecoflow, renogy, newpowa get good deals. I even managed to get the new jackery 80w bi facial for 99€ ! I would have bought 4 of them if I knew!

[@johnnysweekends]

Ahhh that’s a bummer.

[@kamelie1706]

@@johnnysweekends might be sold under another name over here ... but could not find it. Have you share the label on HF one of your video? Like your way of testing!

[@johnnysweekends]

I cannot find the HF duplicate 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ZRXBILL]

Just got my second NewPowa 100 W solar panel today because I was getting 90+ watts out of the first one. Now I can hook these in series to charge my EcoFlow Delta 2. These are a absolute steel.

[@quaddingsous]

What happens when the solar panel "shuts off" from too much draw? Will it reset itself after the draw is decreased? Thanx for your help. I'm trying to figure out why my huge capacity LiFePo batteries (2 x 170Ah Renogy) drain from only my fridge running in my RV.

[@johnnysweekends]

That’s just the load tester but a solar controller will maximize input and then hold so no worry about it shutting off

[@quaddingsous]

@@johnnysweekends . . . that's what I figured, but I'm fairly new to this. Thanx for answering. Greatly appreciated!

[@johnnysweekends]

😀👍🏼

[@angacamthehobbit3668]

I have 6 HF panels here in Sunny Fla, and yup they work great.

[@kevinkiernan7362]

Does Harbor Freight offer the most power per dollar compared to everything out there? Or are there other panels that cost more but produce a lot more power?

[@johnnysweekends]

When you can grab them for a$89 with the super coupon they are a tough deal to beat.

[@kevinkiernan7362]

@@johnnysweekends Will you do a comparison of the HF against the HQST panels?

[@johnnysweekends]

I can look into that

[@kevinkiernan7362]

Thanks for the very thorough work you do. I hope you are making enough to cover your expenses!

[@johnnysweekends]

Ahh its more about the fun. But every little bit helps 👍🏼

[@mikecon7634]

Happy 4th JW

[@johnnysweekends]

Thanks Mike you as well..😀👍🏼🇺🇸

[@Fester_]

Soder. Solder.

[@bafumat]

Excellent, thank you.

[@johnnysweekends]

😀👍🏼

[@Vandrock]

2 watt dif, I would go with newpowa.

[@mrpeaceful1]

rip john hershock

[@johnnysweekends]

??

[@Shalmaneser1]

Capacitor quality matters.

[@mikewaldrop4977]

Is the HFpanel aluminum WIRE ANY CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

[@johnnysweekends]

It’s not aluminum its tinned copper…👍🏼

[@foodforestretirement2799]

I bought 4 of Newpowa 100w panels yesterday morning. The price and size were right and I have no problem lowering my expectations to an 80w panel. I am going to set them up in series parallel and expect upper output wattages between 250 and 300. I will be perfectly content with that.

[@jnmc-vx4fw]

Ah ….nothing beats eco flow solar panels.

[@johnnysweekends]

Ahh good idea! Stop by next week and let’s see 😀👍🏼

[@narutobroken]

The harbor freight is still the best

[@johnnysweekends]

It’s hard to beat even in the one year test it still beat the renogy