Solar Suitcase Recommendations

[SomewhatFeral]

Hello all! New here, with a question on solar panels. I'm considering ordering a Casita with the intention of doing quite a bit of boondocking. If I add the factory solar panel add-on, it comes with a 200W suitcase. Ideally, I'd like to expand this by adding an additional 200W suitcase for a total of 400W.

I came across this forum a lot as I've been googling/researching, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to come straight to the source and ask my questions here. So, what are your recommendations on the best way(s) to increase solar power capabilities on a Casita using portable suitcases? What do I need to buy, and how do I need to set it all up? Please feel free to dumb things down as much as you might want to because I'm still very much learning when it comes to this subject.

Can I just buy another set of of 200W panels and pair them with the ones that come with the Casita? I believe the Casita solar suitcase panels are Zamp panels? Do I need to add additional battery capacity? If yes, what are recommendations on batteries for this kind of setup? I assume a lithium battery would be better... but wouldn't this require changing other parts of the power system? I'm very much trying to keep things simple, and keep modifications to a minimum, if at all possible.

I would like to be able to power basic functions within the Casita (lights, water pump, stove, Maxxfan if needed, etc), as well as a Starlink router and a laptop.

Thanks in advance!

[Tonopah]

The 200 Watt Renogy solar suitcase is rather large and heavy. The 100 watt version is easier to handle. If you are really interested in solar, consider making an appointment with Little Home on the Road in Haslet TX while you are out in TX. They (among other things) can install a single 175 watt Renogy solar panel on the roof of your Casita. You can still plug in a solar suitcase too if you want or need more watts. Also consider ordering your Casita with the standard lead acid battery and immediately upgrading to a good lithium battery to maximize your solar power. Little Home on the Road can do that for you too.

[John LF]

400 watts sounds like overkill unless the stove you want to run is electric.
If it is you will need to size your battery bank appropriately and an inverter that can handle the draw in additional to a solar charger that can handle the power input from the panels. Wiring will also need to be sized correctly. Handling 400 watts can get very dangerous if not done correctly so, personally, I would have the set up done by a professional. I have a neighbor whose trailer caught on fire the first sunny day after they had solar installed. Trailer was in his driveway and the fire jumped onto the side of his shingled house.

As far as battery type is concerned, I think lithium is the way to go. I have one that is still going strong after 10 years of lots of abuse and zero maintenance. I bought another one recently that is exactly the same size (half the size and weight of an AGM), lower priced with almost double the capacity. I keep the old one charged up for a backup. The prices are still going down and becoming very competitive with lead-acid batteries especially considering the life span and low maintenance. Before i went with lithium the best I got out of an AGM battery was 4 years. My first one only lasted 2 years. My fault, didn't realize I shouldn't discharge them completely.

The panels themselves have come down in price and increased in power even more.

[Steve Outlaw]

The best suitcase model can not come close to the output of a system that actually tracks the sun. Automatically, day after day with no intervention from you. You will double or triple the output of a static flat panel.



Look into this company... https://solartrackpro.com/

[JLMathis]

We made a suitcase with 2 100w HQST panels tied to a Victron controller feeding a 100ah LiFPo battery. Never came close to running out with the knowledge that AC is out and refer is on propane.

[John LF]

Originally Posted by Steve Outlaw

The best suitcase model can not come close to the output of a system that actually tracks the sun. Automatically, day after day with no intervention from you. You will double or triple the output of a static flat panel.



Look into this company... https://solartrackpro.com/

It's probably fun to watch, but $1295 ($1495-the $200 you can pay for two 100W panels, Newpowa solar charge controller and cables) for something you can do manually while sitting around a campsite?

[thrifty bill]

Be sure to look at the weight of these panels. I have a Renogy 200W suitcase, I used to have a 100W Renogy. The weight of the 200W panel is substantial. There are lighter weight options out there, with less weight comes less durable IMO.

Our new TV has 7.2 KW Pro Power on board, so I think we are now set!