Latest update December 28th, 2016 1:27 AM
My Complete Solar Setup
My soon to be installed Complete Solar Setup.
What I Used
- Instapark SP Series Mono-crystalline 150 Watt Panel
- Victron BlueSolar 100/30 MPPT Charge Controller
- Victron BMV-702 Battery Monitor
- Victron VE.Direct Bluetooth LE Dongle (Two required. One for each Victron Device)
- Sugatsune HG-OTA100 Stainless Steel QR Hinges (4 Required)
- Magcode Pro Kit 24V 25A+ (Item 89275)
- Magcode Cap Cover (Item 289278)
- Victron Connect App (Android)
- Victron Connect App (Apple iOS)
Unboxing The Solar Panel
This is how the package arrives from Amazon via UPS. Instapark needs to take note from Renogy and protect the contents of their packages better. The box that contained the solar panel was thin grade cardboard and was just big enough to house the panel. No padding included at all.
Unboxing The Solar Controller
Solar Panel Discrepancy
This is what is advertised on Amazon.
This is what was received. You can see the discrepancy in the panel’s voltage and current output.
I called Instapark directly which is located in California and the representative I spoke to gathered my information and said she would call back after she looked into the matter. She spoke to a technician there and state that the new panels (like the one I received) are more efficient than the ones displayed on Amazon. She also said something about the factory hasn’t updated the solar panel labels or something to that effect. Not buying that. Anyways she was very nice and apologetic. She offered to send me a Return Label in order to return the panel for a full refund or…. a 10% refund on the purchase price. I opted for the $22 refund.
I met a Vanagon owner named Sam at Buses by the Bridge this year that spoke very highly of his Instapark Solar Panel and his panel had the same data sheet as mine. I’ll stick with the solar panel and see how it fairs over the next few months. It’s definitely got to be better than the single 50 watt panel I was using.
Sam’s data sheet matches mine. He’s been a happy customer with the output of his panel so I’ll go forward with mine and run some real world tests on it.
5 thoughts on “My Complete Solar Setup”
Leave a Reply
Visit Our Store
Join Our Facebook Group
Sign Up Here!
Support TexasVanagons
Why did you move away from the previously posted 100w Renogy suitcase. I was looking into the suitcase and I’m curious as to why you decided to change course
I didn’t entirely move away from the Renogy 100w Panel. On this long road trip I just completed I knew I’d be boondocking quite a bit so I’d have to be low key and stealthy in certain situations. So pulling out a portable panel wouldn’t be an option. I chose this larger panel on the roof to charge at ALL times. I still have the Renogy panel and love it. I carried it with me on my trip so I could add it to the system easily. I just had to bypass the Renogy controller and hook the panel into my Victron Controller so it would be coupled with my 150w panel on the roof.
Why do I need 250w? well. In some situations where I was camped I camped in the shade so the portable 100w panel came in handy with the extension cables. I placed the panel out in the sun. Worked well.
Also… While camping in Washington state there wasn’t much sun at all so I parked my van so I could face the 150w panel towards the sun and I added my Renogy 100w panel out there as well in order to collect as much sun light as I could. In the PNW, the more wattage the better on these dreary, overcast days.
So to make a long story short (too late. lol) I still love and use my Renogy 100w panel on a regular basis. I like the roof top mounted panel as its charging all day every day and then I have a reserve 100w panel for overcast days or if I want to camp in the shade. Hope that helps.
Great to meet you this weekend Able, it was a great show. I am going to buy this solar system thanks for the idea man.
Hey Abel, what battery did you end up going with for your setup?
Hey there.. I have three 44ah sealed lead acid batteries. Don’t think they make them in 44ah anymore. Think they’re available in 50ah now with the same physical size. I have one under my drivers seat and two more in the cabinet just behind the drivers seat. I use a lot of juice.. 132ah total is OK but if like a little more cushion…