portable solar: Zamp vs GoPower vs Renogy

[Mattirs]

Originally Posted by Mattirs

And then there is this support frame

Sorry can't find the picture thumbnails are not working on the phone and can't delete the post. Will post later.

[centennialman]

I am in the second season with my Renogy....no problems at all and it works very well! Charges everything up, looks good, easy to store etc...

[AWCHIEF]

Currently available Renogy 200 watt suitcase,

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-200-wa...-box-like-new/

[bliss]

Originally Posted by OSIN

I've had Renogy and now Zamp. The Main difference is the quality of frame construction for me, if you're a once in a while user the cheaper Chinese made units are OK, for everyday abuse, go with Zamp

Thanks - that's what I was hoping for, someone who had experience with at least two of the three.

I figured full time use vs weekend or seasonal camping use would be a factor. I'll start saving my dollars for that Zamp system when I get a better handle on my energy needs, until then a Renogy to start out.

Thanks!

[KJRitchie]

I have the Zamp 200w. I would have considered the Renogy 200w suitcase if it had be available in 2015. Looking at the Zamp website they have redesigned the legs on the frames. They look more robust.

I recommended to my brother-in-law the Renogy 100w because his SOB only has a grp 24 single battery and most of his camping is local with at least electrical hookups.

Since I have 200w of AMSolar roof solar I've modified my Zamp by removing the controller and can plug into the trailer's solar system via an Anderson connecter. I have 50ft or marine grade flexible 6g cable to connect to the panel. This system worked great on our trip to Yellowstone this past June.

Kelvin

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I would have considered the Renogy 200w suitcase if it had be available in 2015.

Same here. The Renogy 200W suitcase has been on and off their website. It was sold for a while a year or so ago but as recently as May of this year, it was no longer listed on their website. When I called, was told it was not going to be available for a while, no reason given. Looks like it is back, but in open box condition only.

Greg

[Anna Sail]

Word on the street is that the Renogy 200W is simply two of their 100 watt panels hooked in parallel. I've heard these 100w panels cause fires due to hot spots developing, whether that's from cracked or faulty solar cells I don't know. They come on and off the market as Renogy tries to fix the problem, lately with aluminum sheets below the panel so hot spots can't burn through whatever the panel is sitting on. Panel is still toast, but at least it may not cause your RV or boat to catch on fire.

[Mattirs]

Originally Posted by mattirs

and then there is this support frame

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Anna Sail

Word on the street is that the Renogy 200W is simply two of their 100 watt panels hooked in parallel. I've heard these 100w panels cause fires due to hot spots developing, whether that's from cracked or faulty solar cells I don't know. They come on and off the market as Renogy tries to fix the problem, lately with aluminum sheets below the panel so hot spots can't burn through whatever the panel is sitting on. Panel is still toast, but at least it may not cause your RV or boat to catch on fire.

I question this post. Do you have a verifiable legitimate source for your statement? Sounds like something the competition would say. I have been an actual Renogy customer for several years and have never heard this before. They did have some issues with their old soft panels and discontinued their production.
# Of course it is comprised of 2 100 watt panels. That is obvious by simply reading the ad copy and looking at the suitcase photos. My 100 watt suitcase is 2 50 watt panels combined.

[bliss]

Well to be fair, Michael, I did find it odd that the only 200w panels sold on the Renogy website was open box (meaning it's a returned product), and nothing new. Their inventory there seems spotty, which also had me hesitating to go with Renogy. Her post, despite the lack of verifyable legitimate source, does explain it a bit.

I also wondered why the Renogy 200W portable weighed only 33 lbs, but the Zamp 200W weighed in at 47lbs.

[dmbecke]

I just received my 200 watt suitcase and it weighs more than 33lbs

[Wconley]

I did a "quick" Google search and didn't find any references to Renogy issues as stated. It doesn't mean they don't have problems but generally a problem like that would come up pretty quickly.

[65CV]

Used our 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase last week for the first time and was very happy with it.

Why do people think this is a cheap Chinese product? Their website says that the solar panels are German made.

[wildhorses]

Originally Posted by 65CV

Used our 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase last week for the first time and was very happy with it.

Why do people think this is a cheap Chinese product? Their website says that the solar panels are German made.

I agree w/65CV the panels I got from Renogy were very top quality, nothing cheap or flimsy about them, sounds like a competitor's BS shpeel...

[bliss]

Originally Posted by dmbecke

I just received my 200 watt suitcase and it weighs more than 33lbs

Really? Both Amazon and Renogy website list the weight as 33 lbs (vs their 100w suitcase that weighs 19 lbs).

FYI - I went ahead with the GoPower panels for now, slightly less $$ than Zamp and comes with many different connections. Will report back when I've used them

[streaminwild]

Randy @wwwbestconverter.com is selling the Zamp 200 watt portable for over $100.00 less than Amazon. Check with our supporters before buying from Amazon........................ Yes I'm christmas shopping.

[gypsydad]

I have had my 80W GoPower suitcase for 5 years now, and no issues. I connected the cables with the quick disconnect pigtail to the battery and tuck it in behind the propane tanks above the battery case. Works fine and keeps my batteries charged when in use. I use a plastic wrapped steal cable locked to my hitch when I am not around. A bit pricy but has served us well.

[JoeHTP]

I bought a Renogy 200 Watt suitcase open box from their Ebay site this summer. Have used it several times and I am very happy with the performance. In fact, I am having a hard time deciding to spend more $ on rooftop panels.

There are some plastic pieces which hold the legs on, and I have have had two break, but Renogy quickly sent me some new ones. I do think that is a weak spot on them. The weight is listed as 33 lbs, but they weigh more than that.

Originally Posted by 65CV

Used our 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase last week for the first time and was very happy with it.

Why do people think this is a cheap Chinese product? Their website says that the solar panels are German made.

[glcmranger]

ZAMP solar suitcase is topnotch........ I'm loyal to ZAMP products. You get what you pay for.....

[white laker]

This year will be my third on my Go Power system. Three x 100 watt flex panels, 30 amp charge controller, transfer switch, 2,000 watt pure sine invertor and 55 amp four stage convertor. Two group 31 A.G.M. Full River batteries. I don't use the system all that often but it's there when I want it, and so far it has worked really well. Mt convertor is wired through the transfer switch so when I am on low amp power supply, I can run only the charge circuit and then run everything in the rig off of the invertor, except the A/C and Micro wave oven. like I said, so far so good!