Hi although I'm watching 6 years after you.made the video, YOUR'S IS THE BEST VIDEO I'VE WATCHED ON THE HF 45 W kit. I've sent your video to a friend who might be interested in buying my TWO HF 45 W kits I've never opened.
Great job. I am a solar panel installer,electrician. And you did all good. I have seen some BS solar users,installing crupp and just waiting for a fire to catch up. But your setting is very safe and simple. Congrats, my friend :)
Good presentation. I do not have the Harbor Freight pannels but I have looked at them and they look identical to the ones I have in three other brands I have purchased over the last 8 to 10 years. I started out with large glass pannels 80 watts & 120 watts purchased on E-Bay. They was labeld Shell patrolium co. and sold for marine units for sail boats. I thought they worked well untill I got the smaller 15 watt units (also on E-Bay) labeld Solar Source. I moniter power closely and found that the smaller pannels each produced upper 12 to lower 13volt on cloudy and shaidy conditions and the larger pannels could only put out 10 volts standing side by side. The next thing I discoverd was when a 120 pannel go's bad on you out camping you have lost a sugnificant amount of charge power if a 15 watt pannel drops out ( of my bank of 34 pannels) it does not cause me to pannic." it has happend with both systems. I don't even use the old large pannels any more.
Good display on how simple these kits can be deployed for camping use. I would think by now that HF would update these kits to use LED lights. Though it does have the USB plug, I've seen LED lights that can use this port but still, some LED lights would be nice for even more power saving.
I have had that kit for a little over five years. In less than one year, all the plastic frames had cracked at the corners. Rain got inside and corroded the connection between the wire and panel bus. In two years, two panels stopped working. By year 3, the third panel died too. Repair is difficult to impossible. May have to chip back the glass to expose enough of the panel bus to re-solder the wire to. May destroy the panel in the process of chipping back the glass. I have repaired one and use it to keep my truck battery topped off. I don't leave it out in the rain. I hooked a Renogy 50 watt panel (polycrystalline) to the controller box and we're back in business. The controller box and the two fluorescent lights are the best parts of the system and I still use them every day.
8632tony. Thats why they are so cheap. I have a 4 panel. I love it. When the power goes out i take them out. My batterys stay on a trickle charger. I use them for back up only. Get what you pay for. They work great.
Excellent video! I just bought one of these on Black Friday from Harbor Freight. It did not come with an inverter. Is that for converting to 110 volt AC? If so, is it possible to connect it directly to the inverter in my travel trailer?
Mark Hubbs im not sure about connecting it directly. I just use a little 400w as seen to run a small led tv and small applications. we do not. use a microwave or a.c. while dry camping
do you have a gas fridge? my camper only came with a small mini fidge about 200watts. it can run on my batteries for 3 hours or so, what do you recommend doing, i dont want to drop a few thousands on a quite genetaror
you definitely need a propane powered fridge for dry camping. the one that came factory in my trailer is a Norcold brand. if you have a space in the rv where a fridge goes I would take it down to the RV dealer and have them give you a quote for a gas fridge and proper installation.
depends on your usage needs, I find my 400 watt works great for my usage. you should look into the devices you plan on using and make you you get an inverter that will have enough watts out put... if you are using only one battery a huge inverter and high watt devices will suck your battery down quickly.
Diana Jo Rossano nope not a teacher but was a technical instructor, I did have a coupon at the time for 139.00, still pleased with this setup. works perfect for the average dry camp set up.
It's an old set up 45watt.5 AMP Amorphous silicon. Great intro to solar stand by. Was about 100 USD. CAME with charge controller 3 panels a frame and some extras. Works perfect if you spend all day actually camping outdoors and only need RV power in the PM. It will float 2 12v for about 2 weeks. Take it you arnt just sitting on arse in your RV all day
Utouchit2 there were a couple of big 5th wheels about 100 yards away running huge ass generators off and on. though I cannot hear them in the video. nothing like waking up in the woods at 6 am to hear 8000 watt beasts ruining the quiet
Couple points: That long run of cable from the panels to the battery bank. If the wire gauge is small - 16 or 18 - you're probably going to lose current through resistance... There has to be a better way of dealing with those panels than that silly frame... that looks like it would be a pain in the butt to wrangle on every move...
Just spent another month in the woods. Still keeping me charged seems to work just fine. The long run of cable is what is in the kit. Gives you some range to work with when the sun moves and tree shadows cover camp
to equal the capacity as these 2 marine units, four 6v golf cart batteries, wire pairs up in series then those pairs in parallel. yes everyone says 6v's the way to go
Barry Singer where we camp in Idaho it's never hot enough to need A.C. so I have never tried it. I'm sure a.c. would drain the batteries super fast. We have a little tiny rec generator we use if it's storming and the whole family is inside the RV. But I doubt this solar set up will run the A.C. or Frig on electric.
The frame sucks. But i really love this. Its fun. It works. I just love running lights for free and a fan. I bought an inverter too. I love it. They are heavy. I got a 4 panel. $140.00.
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Of all the people how have "reviewed" this kit. You showed more about the hook ups and practical use than anyone.
Thanks for the detailed explanation and footage of connections. You’ve calmed the panic inside and given me back my “CAN DO” attitude. Thanks!!!
Saidah Imon Phyre glad I could help. Thanks for watching
Hi although I'm watching 6 years after you.made the video, YOUR'S IS THE BEST VIDEO I'VE WATCHED ON THE HF 45 W kit.
I've sent your video to a friend who might be interested in buying my TWO HF 45 W kits I've never opened.
It's a great little float kit. And pretty cheap as well. I since upgraded to 2 100w panels as my boys are wanting to charge all kinds of things.
Excellent video...thanks for posting. This is the setup I will use...seems straightforward enough and cost effective. Thanks again
Good straight forward video review. I bought the same system last weekend at same price. Good stuff... thanks
Thanks for the video, working on getting my own setup. Cheers Chet!
Great job. I am a solar panel installer,electrician. And you did all good. I have seen some BS solar users,installing crupp and just waiting for a fire to catch up. But your setting is very safe and simple. Congrats, my friend :)
Dmitri Kazantsev thank you 😀 I like keeping it simple and this little set up works great for all the dry camping I do
Nicely done, Chet, thanks!
Good presentation. I do not have the Harbor Freight pannels but I have looked at them and they look identical to the ones I have in three other brands I have purchased over the last 8 to 10 years. I started out with large glass pannels 80 watts & 120 watts purchased on E-Bay. They was labeld Shell patrolium co. and sold for marine units for sail boats. I thought they worked well untill I got the smaller 15 watt units (also on E-Bay) labeld Solar Source. I moniter power closely and found that the smaller pannels each produced upper 12 to lower 13volt on cloudy and shaidy conditions and the larger pannels could only put out 10 volts standing side by side. The next thing I discoverd was when a 120 pannel go's bad on you out camping you have lost a sugnificant amount of charge power if a 15 watt pannel drops out ( of my bank of 34 pannels) it does not cause me to pannic." it has happend with both systems. I don't even use the old large pannels any more.
Nice video, thanks for your input.
Thanks for your review good info
Thanks for the review.
Good display on how simple these kits can be deployed for camping use. I would think by now that HF would update these kits to use LED lights. Though it does have the USB plug, I've seen LED lights that can use this port but still, some LED lights would be nice for even more power saving.
Chet! Thanks for the video! :0)
Great video, Thanks
Thanks for this video!
and stated price. good info
I have had that kit for a little over five years. In less than one year, all the plastic frames had cracked at the corners. Rain got inside and corroded the connection between the wire and panel bus. In two years, two panels stopped working. By year 3, the third panel died too. Repair is difficult to impossible. May have to chip back the glass to expose enough of the panel bus to re-solder the wire to. May destroy the panel in the process of chipping back the glass. I have repaired one and use it to keep my truck battery topped off. I don't leave it out in the rain. I hooked a Renogy 50 watt panel (polycrystalline) to the controller box and we're back in business. The controller box and the two fluorescent lights are the best parts of the system and I still use them every day.
8632tony. Thats why they are so cheap. I have a 4 panel. I love it. When the power goes out i take them out. My batterys stay on a trickle charger. I use them for back up only. Get what you pay for. They work great.
very informative thank you
You're away hiking during the day and when you return, your panels and batteries are still there? Amazing.
Anton Bouchette It's Idaho......
Yeah, Idaho, not New Jersey.
Or Chicago
if the panels it secure to be charged under the glass
Thanks for the video , How much do they weigh would you say ? I' thinking about sitting them on top of my truck camp while camping . thanks Joe
when assembles on the rack all 3 panels are aprox 40 lbs just a guess. they are heavy
Alright , thanks
Excellent video! I just bought one of these on Black Friday from Harbor Freight. It did not come with an inverter. Is that for converting to 110 volt AC? If so, is it possible to connect it directly to the inverter in my travel trailer?
Mark Hubbs im not sure about connecting it directly. I just use a little 400w as seen to run a small led tv and small applications. we do not. use a microwave or a.c. while dry camping
do you have a gas fridge? my camper only came with a small mini fidge about 200watts. it can run on my batteries for 3 hours or so, what do you recommend doing, i dont want to drop a few thousands on a quite genetaror
you definitely need a propane powered fridge for dry camping. the one that came factory in my trailer is a Norcold brand. if you have a space in the rv where a fridge goes I would take it down to the RV dealer and have them give you a quote for a gas fridge and proper installation.
I have this kit and a 12v 35 amp universal battery. What size inverter do you think I should get?
depends on your usage needs, I find my 400 watt works great for my usage. you should look into the devices you plan on using and make you you get an inverter that will have enough watts out put... if you are using only one battery a huge inverter and high watt devices will suck your battery down quickly.
I put my panels under the porch covered with the glasses is that secure to stay over there
+Offiter Necunoscut secure as in safe from DAMAGE? Or safe from THEFT? Not quite sure of your question
Thanks!
Can you get extra cables that go from the panels to the charge controller?
+Isaac Victor I'm not sure about getting extra cables. May have to give harbor freight a call
add a base with wheels for easy movement
I see that you attached your inverter to your batteries where did you attach the other end?
Cami Rodgers used an extension cord thru a window just to use a 24 inch led tv. that's the only thing we used the inverter for.
Nice just what I was looking for .Thanks BTW where did ya get the metal Rack Got to get One ..
The drying rack was from Costco. It's super handy when camping
thanks @@imperialfragments
Do you have a wiring diagram? especially Charge controller to batteries to Inverter?
Charles Cothran it all just hooks to the battery through the controller. I run my inverter directly off the batteries
Jeff did you eat bugs out in the wild😜 ?
Could you tell me if your rv is a positive or negative ground?
It's negative
You're a genius! Do you teach for a living? You are a good teacher. I saw the kit for $189. did you have a coupon?
Diana Jo Rossano nope not a teacher but was a technical instructor, I did have a coupon at the time for 139.00, still pleased with this setup. works perfect for the average dry camp set up.
Did you say how many watts was it and how much you pay for it?
Oh did I miss that part of the video?
It's an old set up 45watt.5 AMP Amorphous silicon. Great intro to solar stand by. Was about 100 USD. CAME with charge controller 3 panels a frame and some extras. Works perfect if you spend all day actually camping outdoors and only need RV power in the PM. It will float 2 12v for about 2 weeks. Take it you arnt just sitting on arse in your RV all day
Dude, I had a hard time hearing about how happy you were with the solar pannels over the noise of the generator....?
Utouchit2 there were a couple of big 5th wheels about 100 yards away running huge ass generators off and on. though I cannot hear them in the video. nothing like waking up in the woods at 6 am to hear 8000 watt beasts ruining the quiet
Couple points:
That long run of cable from the panels to the battery bank. If the wire gauge is small - 16 or 18 - you're probably going to lose current through resistance...
There has to be a better way of dealing with those panels than that silly frame... that looks like it would be a pain in the butt to wrangle on every move...
Just spent another month in the woods. Still keeping me charged seems to work just fine. The long run of cable is what is in the kit. Gives you some range to work with when the sun moves and tree shadows cover camp
We're you running a refrigerator too?
My fridge is ran on propane.
Do you take it all in at night?
I leave the panels out and place the charge control and inverter inside my battery box's so they don't get wet.
Where were you set up?
Charles Cothran Tri Pod Meadows in Idaho
holy crap, it's Dave Mangione from king of the hill!!
Kris Smith holy crap your right.
By God, it is! I'll tell you hwat.
It was chuck, not dave
Just a comment not criticism you said everything comes with the kit does not include batteries or convertor
michael stephan oops I thought that was obvious. I will have to annotate that 😀
no problem I did not know up until a month ago when I started researching solar power
can you run 12 volt items straight off of the panels and controller without a battery and converter
michael stephan I'm sure you can run low amp items have not tried it myself. Just use it for summer camping in the RV
ok thanks 1 more question and will let you go how good would it be to use same setup with a battery
Next time you buy batteries buy 2 6v golf cart batteries they will last longer with out a charge.I've had both ways
to equal the capacity as these 2 marine units, four 6v golf cart batteries, wire pairs up in series then those pairs in parallel. yes everyone says 6v's the way to go
will this system run you a/c
Barry Singer where we camp in Idaho it's never hot enough to need A.C. so I have never tried it. I'm sure a.c. would drain the batteries super fast. We have a little tiny rec generator we use if it's storming and the whole family is inside the RV. But I doubt this solar set up will run the A.C. or Frig on electric.
No.
correction. Chuck Mangione
12.2 volts is a pretty dead battery
look at a state of charge chart
Dog Lips it's a DC to DC equation, thx for watching
imperialfragments you don't know what you are talking about
Little bit
Under load conditions it should be above 12 volts.
The frame sucks. But i really love this. Its fun. It works. I just love running lights for free and a fan. I bought an inverter too. I love it. They are heavy. I got a 4 panel. $140.00.
tip: use golf cart battery's they will last longer than a deep cycle
austin adams I will have to look into them. I have 2 deep cycles that came on the RV when I bought it
Golf cart batteries are deep cycle.
ur only strong as ur weakest battery?????!!
Franky Franke referring to mixing battery of different amp hours
i'm dizzy and nauseous from watching the motion of the weird wide angle lens. Very annoying.
Sleeper519 it's was auto corrected for shakyness by UA-cam. made it look washy sorry😑
You should take several pharmaceutical medications
I thought that was Grizzly Adams
Vm
So slooooooooooow.... aaaaaaaaaaahhh....