Testing a Dokio 300w solar panel on my Inergy Apex

I learned about this brand from the CheapRVliving youtube channel. I bought the biggest solar panel I could find to use with my Apex. I went through Bob's Amazon affiliate link, which I'll post below. This supports HOWA, which is a non-profit org that provides help to people who need assistance in becoming nomadic.
Dokio offers a few different sizes of their portable solar panels. They come with their own PWM solar controllers (and various cables and adapters), but I don't need one because the Apex already contains an MPPT controller. None of the cables they sent will work on my power station because Inergy uses the EC8 connection, which isn't really common in the solar industry.
www.amazon.com/shop/cheaprvli...
www.amazon.com/DOKIO-Portable...

[@larriettausa]

Omg I’ve been watching numerous KZbin videos to find out what connectors I need to use dokio panels. With my bluetti. I believe You have solved my problem with your set up.😰😰❤️❤️ thank you

[@freedomdove]

You're very welcome! I'm glad it helped you. 🙂👍

[@jasonbrown467]

i finally found your video again. i wanted to leave a comment with my findings on these dokio 300 watt panel kits. it would probably be best if i just made my own video but here is the not so short of it: i bought 3 of these kits. first all three kits were opened, dirty used panels, but not in too of bad of shape. i tested all three sets, one set put out about 6% less than the other two, the other two's output was identical. laying flat in the grass i got about 140 watts or so. i built a stand with pvc plumbing tubes for about $40 and was able to get about 225 watts via a not included mppt controller and 220 watts using the included cheap pwm controller using my instrumentation to measure. do not trust the included controller to give accurate data as it always exaggerates its output. the stand i build is light and i only glued it in the places it needed to be so i could break it down and set it up as quickly as i could. i believe i found the cells these panels are made from and i think they exaggerated the cell output which lead to dokio doing the same. i think these are four 60 watt panels in parallel. so it is 5amps in series which means 20amps max (maybe) which is a lot of amps for such small gauge wire. but the max amps i ever saw was about 17 amps. 13.2v x17a =225watts. the stand i built can be put at just about any angle and the angle to the sun is key, they need to be flat and perfect angle for best output. i connected two 300 watt dokio in series for 600 watts but the sun was bad that particular day but i remember they didnt do well. on that day the best sun with the best angle i only got 160 watts from one 300 watt kit, but the two in series both laying flat on the grass only gave me 150, so one good positioned panel will outperform two poorly positioned panels. since the 4 panels in the 300 watt kit are wired in parallel the amps are really too high for my "current" lol needs. i bought four rich solar panels and i wired them in series, built a stand for them out of perforated angled metal pieces for about $300 (ouch)and was able to wire them for 65ish volts x 6 amps for 400 watts and ran this over tiny 16 gauge 60 foot wire into my house safely, i could never do that with 17 amps from the dokio, much bigger and costly cable is needed, which i have, but didnt want to use long term for this project. fyi: also one 100 watt rich solar panel tested out at 92 watts on 60 foot of cable 16 awg. i returned two of the dokio kits based on 1. they are not 300 watts, 2 they were used, 3 the power output vs money spent is high, 4 the fact they are wired in parallel and you cant change that without ripping them open. one seller made me a deal i couldnt pass up if i kept it, ($250) so kept one for a backup system. i have a channel and i should just make a video and share all of this and more there, i recorded all of my tests and my building of the stand etc etc. i guess i am just being lazy. the panels are still cool and useful, i wish a few things could have been different.

[@freedomdove]

Thanks for sharing, Jason. You really should post your footage. I'm sure a lot of people would find it useful. 👍

[@davidl6671]

Thank you for your information. I ordered a polarity adapter “just in case”. Would not have known! Nicely done.

[@freedomdove]

You're welcome. Many of the SAE adapter cables come with the polarity adapter so you don't have to buy one separately.

[@TheArtofRVing]

*We are considering a solar panel with our new trailer. Thanks for this info. Very helpful*

[@freedomdove]

You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂

[@tinymission7821]

Thanks for your real life review of these panels. I have to say, with the conditions you had that day(s) I am impressed with the performance of them. They are rather large, almost a full plywood sheet. I can see these being used as supplemental panels to a rooftop array when conditions are less than optimal for the fixed panels. Thanks again.

[@freedomdove]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting. 🙂

[@GetCTOwned]

This is a good honest real world review. I have the DOKIO 300W and 100W panels. 300w is a pipe dream, however I have seen the same numbers you have. Positioning is really important as well, the best stand I have come up with is a pair of folding camping tables with the legs on only 1 end extended.

[@freedomdove]

That's a really good idea. Thank you. 👍

[@altruisticscoundrel]

Thank you for poating, I was curious how it was working.

[@200Nora]

I have a 200 and a 100 i lean them against a strong plywood board placed in an angle under the panels. If not to windy, they stay put otherwise a few rocks will keep the wind from tumbling them down.

[@SHARINGJOURNEY]

Great information ... thanks

[@freedomdove]

You're welcome. 🙂

[@ricardostravels3265]

You have checked out my video on this panel with the Jackery "Portable Solar Panel Showdown | Jackery Solarsaga 100w vs Dokio 320w with the Jackery Explorer 500" - it's good to see others taking advantage of this panel, it works perfectly for my needs.

[@freedomdove]

No, I haven't seen your video. I'm very glad it's working for your needs. I really like mine, too. 🙂

[@jasonbrown467]

i watched your video. you had a cool snow storm on your hands in a few videos i watched. i think i watched every video about these panels

[@jogalong]

Your voice is so pleasant!

[@freedomdove]

Aw, thank you! 🙂

[@trish_tha_dish]

Your yard looks very much like mine in Wisconsin. I just checked and the Dokio 300W are sold out. I'll have to wait.

[@freedomdove]

Yes, the availability is sketchy nowadays with everything going on. It really pays to keep an eye on it each day. You never know when it will come back in stock. Thanks for stopping by, Trish. 🙂

[@rtsteele567]

Excellent review. I've had this panel for over a year now. Best I've seen is 180 watts in the Arizona Desert. D-rings will tear off. I've lost 3 or 4 of them now. It's difficult to manage this thing without some kind of stand/support. Overall it's ok.

[@freedomdove]

Thank you for the feedback. 🙂

[@jasonbrown467]

180 watts at what voltage, and what charge controller? i think the pwm charge controller might limit the voltage to say 14.4v which may make it this: 14.4v x 16.67 = 240 watts, albeit in the best sun . if you could use mppt it might be more like this: 18.v x 16.67a = 300.06 watts. but your 180 watts imo isnt even close to 240 number i would assume it would do with pwm. i thought this would be nice to have because 1. they fold up so i can easily drag them out and put them up, 2 i was going to buy 4 of them, wire in series to my mppt for a max of 72v x 16.67a = 1200 watts, but if i only end up with 180 watts times 4 = 720 watts i am going to have to reconsider. if the panels cant deliver but only half of what they claim i may ditch the easy and "foldable" idea to get panels that actually give what they claim.

[@freedomdove]

@@jasonbrown467 I'm not impressed by the wattage I've seen so far but I haven't been in ideal situations yet and I use a lot of adapters and extensions, which results in loss. I think the normal solar panels are better but I personally can't use them so I have to stick with something foldable and portable and lighter than other folding panels that have rigid frames. If you can do without those aspects, then you should definitely consider standard panels. From what I understand, though, you won't get full stated wattage from any panel. Maybe there are some brands who do deliver that, though.

[@jasonbrown467]

@@freedomdove i pulled the trigger on just one "300 watt" kit today. of course amazon was out of stock but it should be here in a week anyways. when i get mine i will be doing all kinds of testing with watt meters and different charge controllers. i will probably shoot a low production video on this panels exact performance with various charge controllers as i havent seen much of anything other than people like your self who are feeding those solar generator things. i pray i can get 220 watts out of mine, but i suspect i will need to buy two panels and wire them in series to get the most out of them via mppt. i will also be showing loss in cables, as my panels will be about 60 feet from my controller, but i will also show wattage using no extensions or adapters. cant wait for it to get here.

[@freedomdove]

@@jasonbrown467 That's awesome. I hope you get the most bang for your buck there!

[@ApnaAmbedkarNager]

Very nice videos

[@freedomdove]

Thank you. 🙂

[@TheBrokenNomad]

The only thing missing is some kind of kickstand to prop them up. Other than that, I love mine.

[@freedomdove]

Agreed!

[@gmcjetpilot]

It would be nice to do full sun with it angled at sun for a real test. 118 Watts on 300 watt panel is not impressive. However the compact light weight is a plus.

[@travisgrenke]

Hi. I just received my Dokio 300W panel and standard charge controller that came with. I seem to be only getting 1.2 Amps going into the system (even at full sunshine) All connections seem to be good. My battery is at 75% with no load on it.... Any thoughts on why amps are so low going into system? How many amps do you get from the 300W?

[@freedomdove]

I'm sorry but I don't have a way of knowing the amps coming in. I can only see the wattage. I do know that on my Jackery, the power going in slows down when it gets near the end. Maybe that's what's happening? I would drain the battery down further and then try to charge it to see if the amps go up.

[@hawaiidogs9277]

Ty

[@laurobocanegra5665]

Thank you for the video, how do you check the polarity from the dokio’s cable?

[@freedomdove]

My ex checked it with a multi-meter. I'm afraid I can't tell you exactly what setting he used. He was going fast and not really explaining what he was doing.

[@laurobocanegra5665]

@@freedomdove thank you so much, I apreciate it , God Bless you.

[@buzzboxmedia]

Hi, what would i use to connect my original Inergy Kodiak (Neutrik input) with the Dokio Solar Panels? I couldn't quite make out the brands/parts you were saying to make up connection. If you can list items with a link I would REALLY appreciate it! Thanks!

[@freedomdove]

You would have to find or make a special cable for that. The Dokio has what's called an SAE connector. I went to Inergy's website and they don't have any such cable. You can check Ebay or other online stores (search "Neutrik to SAE cable or adapter"). I bought my first specialty cable (EC8 to MC4) from an Ebay seller before Inergy finally came out with their own. Okay, I just checked online and can't find anything suitable. This is a very uncommon connection. You honestly might need to make a cable or have one made for you at a local electronics store. Or maybe they could modify your existing Neutrik cable by cutting off the other end and putting an SAE connection on it. You would just need to make sure the polarity was correct to connect it to the Dokio. Red to red and black to black. Or in my case, I had to use that little adapter to make it right. I would take the Kodiak's cable into an electronics store and tell them what needed done. Or if you're really lucky, you have a friend who could modify the cable. If all that fails, perhaps you can contact Inergy and request a special cable from them. I'm not sure they take requests but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

[@manuelareardon4846]

I have the dokio 300w as well, can you provide a link for the sae to MC4 cable and adapter please

[@freedomdove]

You can find links for them in the description box of the video I made recently about these connections: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaatoZdtqNKEqdk

[@advancedxdirective]

Im considering this panel for the Leoch that I backed on Indiegogo when it comes in. Do you still reccomend this panel to date?

[@freedomdove]

Absolutely. I haven't used it for years and years so I can't attest to its long-term durability, though. I think the D-rings would be its shortcoming. I won't fully rely on them, except for support anchors to tie out to my roof rack.

[@advancedxdirective]

@@freedomdove to date what is the max wattage you have pulled?

[@freedomdove]

@@advancedxdirective I really don't know, I'm afraid. When I did have it in full sun on my trip to Idaho, my Apex was behind it and I wasn't able to monitor the wattage very well. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[@jasonbrown467]

@@advancedxdirective i built an adjustable stand out of pvc tubing and with perfect march sun in northern indiana i got 224 watts with the included pwm controller, but i used my equipment to confirm the data, that included pwm is suspiciously not accurate

[@ollife]

Hi Have you tried to fold one (or two) section underneath or cover? It’s for cases when I need to charge my cell phone only directly from solar/charge controller and don’t want to open all panels. How charging rate changes than? May be you can make another short video telling what happens then. Thank you

[@freedomdove]

I know it still charges a little when it's not fully sunny so I presume it will have some gain with 2 of the panels covered. I don't think I would bend the two panels back under the other two, though. You can indeed charge via USB through the included solar controller without needing a battery. I haven't done that since my Apex has a built-in controller. I'm going to be making a video showing what's included with the Dokio, so maybe I can try out the controller then. At the least, I can just plug the panel into the Apex and close a couple individual panels to measure how much solar gain I'm getting. Thanks for watching and commenting and subbing. 🙂

[@ollife]

freedom dove thank you

[@freedomdove]

@@ollife I just wanted to let you know that what you asked is possible. I tested it the other day and just need to finish making a video. But yes, you can get solar gain from 2 panels and you can fold the unused panels under the used ones to save space. I charged my phone on the panel and the solar controller they include. I tried it with one panel but that wasn't enough solar gain.

[@ollife]

freedom dove thank you

[@freedomdove]

@@ollife You're very welcome. Thanks for asking the questions. I doubt I would have tried to fold it under had you not asked. Lol.

[@jamesarevalo1626]

Do you need to put dc breaker when using portable panels?

[@freedomdove]

No, not that I know of.

[@blam7]

I use my Jeep windshield as a stand when I take mine camping.

[@freedomdove]

Yeah, I figure at least one of my panels will be up there, depending on which way I'm faced. Lol.

[@attackchawa4615]

Hi, wow I can’t believe I found your video. This is so cool because I have this same setup. The Inergy Apex and the Dokio 300w panel, Dokio adapters to MC4 and MC4 adapters to the Apex Ec8. I have never tried to charge Apex with my Dokio before. Ok, so actually I tried for the 1st time yesterday. I had my Dokio panel up and I have an adapter that goes from that Dokio to MC4. Then from the MC4 I put my meter leads into it, one on the left and the other into the right side of the adapter. Meter indicated I have a little voltage coming from the panel. The sun was low so I only got some wattage. So then I plugged that MC4 into my Apex. But nothing happened. The Apex screen did not change, it did not indicate it had any power coming into the Apex battery. IDK what I think or why it won’t take a charge from Dokio panel. Then I watched your video and I hear you say something like “polarity”. So I wanted to ask you, what actually happened to you when you plugged in the adapter connectors? How did you know you didn’t have polarity. Maybe I need some “polarity”. Anything you can tell me will really help. And thank you for sharing your info and video. Very nice job.

[@freedomdove]

The only way I could tell was to use a volt meter. Actually, my ex-husband tested it for me since he's the electrician in the family. If your panel isn't working, put one of those adapters on it to see if that helps. I'm guessing it will. The only reason I knew to test it was because of the description for the adapter cable. They warned to make sure the polarity was correct.

[@attackchawa4615]

@@freedomdove Thank you for getting back to me so soon. Yea, I’m no electrician and I really have no idea what to do with the meter other than what I already did, which wasn’t much. 🤪 I am going to take your suggestion and try one of “those” adapters. Hopefully I won’t fry anything. Thank you, and keep up the good work.

[@jasonbrown467]

@@attackchawa4615 ouch, multi meters are easy. just set it to what ever range that will cover 21.5 volts. i was making the mistake of setting mine to 20 volts and wondering why my solar panels were testing at 1 volt. if you dont know what i mean just set it to 200 volts and start measuring, you have two pins, or two sockets or two wires in dc power. one is positive and one is negative. if you are using a new meter it will measure the voltage no matter the polarity, but if you see a negative sign or a "-" on the display before the numbers than switch the cables and remeasure, now look at the meter test leads color ane which cable is connected to which lead, the red one is positive the other is negative. now you have identified the polarity of the cables, you can mark it somehow and do this at every adapter and or coupler until you hit the solar generator. lastly you can do this at the solar generator too. Yes you do need to get some polarity, the hardware store might have some in stock. wink wink. positive from the panel needs to be positive going into the solar generator, same with the negative

[@equallywrong]

The max I've seen with mine is 14.89 amps propped against my car facing south at 2:PM. I'm satisfied with the weight, thinness, easy of handling. To me the fabric encasing the panels is garbage. It's not going last.

[@freedomdove]

Yeah, it's not the highest quality. I hope to get a few years out of it, though, at the least.

[@equallywrong]

@@freedomdove I do not want to be a killjoy. It's just I've been burned on other purchases and I have a fairly good sense when a product is going to disappointment me well before I have had my enjoyment out of it. DOKIO is on the right track though. I hope I'm wrong and the fabric holds up to weather and handling. Performance has been very good. This is my first true experience with solar and I am learning so much about electricity. It is truly exciting.

[@freedomdove]

I don't plan on ever having it out in the rain, but it did take some beating when I was in Arco. I had it leaning up against my rig and it was super windy. Twice it got blown over, face down. I just dusted it off and it was fine. After the second time of it falling over I just laid it flat on the ground like I did here in this video. Not as efficient but at least it was face up. Lol.

[@ashes48]

I have been looking to buy the Dokio 300w solar panel for the top of my van, ( mostly to run fans lights and a laptop ) is this still holding up for you ?

[@freedomdove]

I don't use mine very often yet but it's holding up fine to what little I've put it through. My youtube friend Cosmo Weems has put his through the paces much more and his are doing well. I presume you want to just put it on the hood during the day rather than mounting it on the roof?

[@jasonbrown467]

dont drive with them up there no matter how you mount them, they are durable enough for what they were designed but just barely. the wind would break this kit

[@ashes48]

@@jasonbrown467 I ended up buying 3 100 watt newpowa flexible solar panels, they are very thin and i can mount them to the roof pretty easy heh

[@jasonbrown467]

@@ashes48 roof of your van? do they hold up to the wind on the highway ok?

[@joneslani]

maybe

[@SamK2525]

I could think of a million ways to angle those panels to face the sun to get an accurate reading lol.

[@SamK2525]

Is this a debbie downer video?

[@freedomdove]

Okay, good. Lol. They're pretty floppy so it's harder than you think. I need to make a folding stand for it or something.

[@freedomdove]

@@SamK2525 Idk, is it? Lol.

[@SamK2525]

@@freedomdove well if that company made a video and said there's too much shade and its the wrong time of day to give you a realistic expectation of their output, I would say pick a better spot and time of day. Just sayin.

[@freedomdove]

I don't have a better time of day or a better spot where I am located. This is as good as it gets in my backyard. I'm pretty sure I indicated all that in the video. The panel will obviously produce much more when conditions are better. The whole point of this was to test its limitations, which I think I did. I suggest that if you can do a better job then you should buy one and test it yourself and post that on youtube for all to see. 👍

[@goldandrew123unleashed]

Hi

[@unsupportiveperson7724]

I got sold a solar panel that doesn't fit either of my two controllers. Product is going back immediately

[@freedomdove]

It comes with its own controller. You don't have to use it if you are plugging into a power station, such as I'm doing. Regardless, you can find adapter cables for almost all situations.

[@tdav225]

Looks like the delivery company had a little trouble with that box!

[@freedomdove]

Indeed! Lol. 😁

[@mikestone9129]

I don't know why everyone compares other solar panels to Renogy. I have owned 3 different Renogy panels and they have all gone bad within a year or two. And their customer service is terrible. I'll never buy anything from them again.

[@freedomdove]

I'm only comparing the two because this and my Renogy panel are the only ones I own. I sure hope I don't have the same problems!

[@andreasbrandstetter9221]

angle it, angle it.... man you have tons of things laying around there, just throw a football, chair or somthing else under it...

[@freedomdove]

If the something else isn't as big as the unfolded panel then that's a little challenging. Lol. I did have it leaning on the garden beds, and I leaned it against my truck when I was using it on my Idaho trip. I'm going to try to figure out a folding frame for it that can be stored in a small space.