Compatibility Questions

[MAGE]

I wanted to make this post so people could ask about compatibility and other experienced members could maybe answer their question to help them!

I'll start it off!

I'm attempting to install solar on a Honda Odyssey which has a 40" width in the front and 38.5" width in the back of the van so I can only use a combination of solar panels small enough to fit on the roof of the van.

I'm willing to use any solar panel and want to buy the Sungtsu on indiegogo (Image 1). It seems like it takes a bit higher voltage and their own solar panels have a 52V rating or something weird, but with a 45V - 80V requirement makes it a bit tougher for me to find solar panels that will be compatible and small enough to fit on my Odyssey.

I found these https://www.newpowa.com/collections/all/products/newpowa-100w-12v-poly-high-efficiency-solar-panel and would want to mount 3 in series. I realise they are sold out but I'm sure they will have them again someday.

Can I use 3 of these Newpowa's in series and run them to the Sungtsu solar generator and not have to have any other controllers? Do you have any other suggestions for solar panels for this? Would I be better off just buying the Bluetti? I want to run solar straight to the solar generator with no in between charge controllers if possible. Thanks. Open to suggestions to make this work!

 

[rin67630]

With 3 newpowa in series you should have
~ 61V Voc (nominal) leaving enough room for the 80V input max.
But the curves of the data sheet do not match their given data.
Voc is usually labeled at 25°C which would here be well above the labeled 20,23V (that appears to be the value at 50°C)

~ 51V Vmp (nominal) which is a bit suboptimal if you are in a hot region where the Vmp can easily fall below the apparently required 45V min.
(But also there 17V is unusually low, possibly they have specified all the panel's data at 50°C)

You will possibly harvest nothing as soon as only one panel has a shade according to their data sheet.
Anyhow this min input voltage looks pretty unusual too.
It is apparently only a minimal value to charge at full power or a nominal value.
Any decent MPPT should accept a much wider range of Vin. I would expect it to work also at a much lower voltage.

 

[MAGE]

Thanks how about 2 of these?https://www.newpowa.com/products/newpowa-120w-24v-monocrystalline-high-efficiency-solar-panel

Or 4 of these 75 watt ones?

75W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Newpowa 75W Mono 12V Solar Panel is ideal for harvesting energy to power small electronics. This module is commonly paired with RV, marine, gate opener, traffic signals, and various off-grid applications. Top branded, 2 years warranty, Free Shipping!

www.newpowa.com

Any other panel recommendations?

 

[rin67630]

Thanks how about 2 of these?https://www.newpowa.com/products/newpowa-120w-24v-monocrystalline-high-efficiency-solar-panel

Or 4 of these 75 watt ones?

75W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Newpowa 75W Mono 12V Solar Panel is ideal for harvesting energy to power small electronics. This module is commonly paired with RV, marine, gate opener, traffic signals, and various off-grid applications. Top branded, 2 years warranty, Free Shipping!

www.newpowa.com

Any other panel recommendations?

Both options not compatible.
Voc were too high for 1st option wired in series, and for 2nd option wired in 2S2P.
Vmp too low to run them in //.

I'd ask the supplier of the Sungtsu, what is the exact meaning of their unusual minimum Vin spec.

 

[MAGE]

Their solar panels are 110w 54V with a lower amp they intend for their own portable solar panels to be run in parallel I imagine.

 

[rin67630]

All these portable (possibly flexible) panels are usually just crap and and almost always sold with badly exaggerated specs.
A regular panel can deliver ~ 200W-250W/m² cells.
Miracles advertising100W or more in 0,2 m² are just for the trash bin.

 

[MAGE]

Are there any solar panels out there that are compatible?

 

[rin67630]

Just looking twice on that dubious Sungtsu blackbox.
They mention a 38,4V battery and need a converter to deliver the 12V output, that explains the high Vin min.
you should stay away from that config if you have limited roof real estate.
You will not be happy with that device.