I went with 4 of the Harbor Freight 100 watt panels. I snipped of the ASE connection and added MC4. I run 2s2p. Ive gotten as high as 425 watts as the panels seem to be underated.So I've been pretty much running myself nuts trying to choose solar panels for my EB200. Finally settled on these for better or worse. I'll report back when they arrive and are in service.
Hello Joules. I too have the EB200. So far I am satisfied. Long term durability is yet to be seen. So far I tested 2 different air conditioner types (window unit and small mini split hvac). Charged it a couple times using a different brand of 200 watt 9bb panels. Mine are the Rich Mega ones. Chose them because they were less money than the Bouge brand you chose. Both 200 watt both 9bb. It came down to price. Have you tried out your panels yet? How are they working out for you? How is your EB200 unit running? What have you tested/used with it so far? I have a thread on that model and hoping to get others with it to post on that thread as a consolidated spot for information others might find helpful.So I've been pretty much running myself nuts trying to choose solar panels for my EB200. Finally settled on these for better or worse. I'll report back when they arrive and are in service.
I just received the panels yesterday. My observations so far:Have you tried out your panels yet? How are they working out for you? How is your EB200 unit running? What have you tested/used with it so far? I have a thread on that model and hoping to get others with it to post on that thread as a consolidated spot for information others might find helpful.
Yes, I agree on comment about FedEx. My Rich panels showed up packed like what you described. Mine also had pinched/bent areas along the frames on both orders and every panel. Some were more pronounced than others. Did contact Rich about it and they basically told me it was no big deal. I responded if they bought a new car and it had said pinched bent areas in the body of the car if that too would be no big deal. I think the carriers are in such a hurry that they just fling, drop and drag packages with willful disregard.I just received the panels yesterday. My observations so far:
Unboxing:
BougeRV packaging is substandard, IMHO. I've never received solar panels before so I don't know how other vendors pack their goods, but these were single boxed with a thick cardboard protector over the glass, plus corner "protectors". Glass was generally fine, but one panel showed lots of scuff marks on the lower third of the glass. The other panel was marked a bit but not as bad. The frames on both panels were damaged. The first panel had 3 dents in the back mounting surface while the second panel had one dent in the mounting surface and one crushed corner (thus the quotes for protectors above). It likely didn't help that FedEx was the carrier. Around here, if you want something mishandled, mis-delivered or delayed by a delivery "exception", FedEx is your pick. So either Bouge needs to double box or use a heavier weight of cardboard with better protection internally.
Performance:
Voc runs about 19.8V after heating up in 85-90° weather for a couple of hours. I connected the panels (in series) to my EB200 this morning and made my first mistake: I got an overvoltage alarm immediately because the DC input was set to car mode, not pv. It's odd that the instructions don't mention this detail in the solar charging section, but it IS mentioned in the car charging section which, of course, I didn't read since I wasn't doing that. Maybe pv is supposed to be the default but mine wasn't set that way. At any rate, it seems no damage was done.
DC input via the panels was 31-33V @ 91W according to the display screen. The panels were oriented so that they got a bit of direct sun but most of what they saw was clear, open sky. I guess I'm pleased that the EB200 charged at all since the published cutoff for pv is 35V. I may need another panel, but I really don't have room for one.
Misc:
I haven't stressed the Bluetti much other than to run a 1500W space heater. It ran for about 70 minutes starting from 100% charge. My intended use is to keep my fridge and small freezer powered up during a blackout (along with a couple of fans).
FWIW, I did post in your other thread a few weeks ago. I'll try to post there again when I have more questions.
I can get a few of my "12v" panels to work in car charging mode. But they only charge at about 40-50 watts.I was able to get two 12V panels in series to work as long as the operating voltages of each was at least 18V. That would be the same for a single 24V panel, too. So check the specs before you buy.
Neither of mine work in car charging mode. I do know that Bluetti built in discharge protection into the car charging mode so that charging the EB200 would not kill your car battery. I don't know how that will affect things, exactly, but if the voltage coming from the panel ever dips too low the EB200 will cut off charging and may or may not come back up by itself.I can get a few of my "12v" panels to work in car charging mode. But they only charge at about 40-50 watts.