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  1. #1
    Setting Up Camp ROADHOG's Avatar
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    Go Power solar panels

    On my brand new Solitude my panels went bad. Rather than wait 4 months for the dealer to warranty them I have decided to by new panels and have them installed. I am looking at the Gopowe 150 watt panels times 2 costing $ 370.00 ea. I do see on Amazon Newpowa 210W Monocrystalline 210 Watt 12V Solar Panel High Efficiency Mono PV Module Power for RV Marine Boat Cabin or Other Off Grid System for $199.50 ea. I would like you professionals input on which panel is best to buy both have 25 yr warranties.
    2021 Solitude 310GH 35'
    2019 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4

  2. #2
    Long Hauler bertschb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ROADHOG View Post
    On my brand new Solitude my panels went bad.
    Sorry I can't help you with your question about the new panels you're considering. But, did you disconnect the factory wiring from your panels and test the panels directly with a multi-meter? Panel failures are pretty rare so having multiple panels fail would be very rare. I'd verify the panels themselves are bad before replacing them. My apologies if you've already done this! Just trying to help :-)

    I ordered our 2020 Solitude 310GK with the factory solar system and I only got one 300w panel. I didn't realize Grand Design is now installing multiple panels. Very nice - but I'm sorry you're having problems with your system. Good luck.
    Brian & Kellie
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
    2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch

    Previous setups:
    2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
    2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

  3. #3
    Big Traveler
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    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    \
    I have these, been excellent.

    Unless you're controller limited, no reason to stick with 12v panels. Higher the voltage the more likely you'll get charge during off times. The charge controller handles the amps to get it where it needs to be.
    2019 Momentum 395
    2018 Ram 3500 DRW 4.10 AISIN

  4. #4
    Setting Up Camp ROADHOG's Avatar
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    Checked the output it was 12.3 volts
    2021 Solitude 310GH 35'
    2019 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4

  5. #5
    Setting Up Camp ROADHOG's Avatar
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    Isn't it better to have two 200s equaling 400 better than one 200 watt 24 volt?
    2021 Solitude 310GH 35'
    2019 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4

  6. #6
    Fireside Member sirtate's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ROADHOG View Post
    Isn't it better to have two 200s equaling 400 better than one 200 watt 24 volt?
    Watts are the key here...
    Watts = Volts x Amps...

    With long runs of wire, amperage is lost with the distance, so higher voltage is used to keep amperage loss to a minimum. (Which is why high tension electrical lines are at 500KiloVolts)

    You would be better to have your 2x200watt panels at 12volts wired in series (adding the voltage) to make a 400w/24v array, which would have less loss, and more amps to the batteries than having those two panels wired in parallel...(adding the amps).
    Assuming your charge controller can accept the higher voltage (most can)...

    An MPPT charge controller will start charging as soon as it receives voltage above what the batts require to charge... So your single 12v panel will require stronger sunlight to get charging than a 24v array... This can get you a few extra 'positive' electrical hours each day... (Maybe not really charging, but not losing charge, either)

    The catch with series arrays; if one panel is shaded, the rest can't get their power through to the charger.

    Sent from my LM-G900 using Tapatalk
    2021 Transcend 261bh
    2021 Ford F-150 3.5eb

  7. #7
    Setting Up Camp ROADHOG's Avatar
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    Very informative Sirtate, I figure that 400 watts still going to be better than a single 300 watt piece of garbage they put up there.
    2021 Solitude 310GH 35'
    2019 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4

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