Portable Solar Panels

**Nerd** · 2025/01/08, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by kamanya

I have suspected that my solar panels are not working as well as they should. I have used them once on a Richtersveld trip and then a year ago when I had them here at home trying to see if I could get them to work. I was still pissed off that load shedding ate my 200ah really good gel battery so have been waiting to save up for replacing those.

Now I have replaced the MPPT with a Victron on and got a new Blue Nova 105ah, before I mount anything I wanted to test it.

Attachment 734497

I can see that indirect sunlight I am only getting max 45 W.

Attachment 734498

if I cover each of the panels in turn, nothing happens to the overall output for the red panels but the wattage sinks to zero when do the same for each of the blue panels?

Attachment 734499

Attachment 734500

Attachment 734501

any ideas?

My 200w Eiger blanket, which were working perfectly at the beginning of December, now outputs 55w max, even on a low battery of 12.5VDC.
With a solid 120w panel, same Victron charge controller, I get 80 to 90w. Guessing somewhere something gone wrong. Will return to C&C for repairs, pity it is out of warranty now. 14 months old

.

**Scalci** · 2025/01/08, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Nerd

My 200w Eiger blanket, which were working perfectly at the beginning of December, now outputs 55w max, even on a low battery of 12.5VDC.
With a solid 120w panel, same Victron charge controller, I get 80 to 90w. Guessing somewhere something gone wrong. Will return to C&C for repairs, pity it is out of warranty now. 14 months old

.

My Eiger is doing the same, actually less that 50w over December… Also out of warranty…

I am not sure if they can repair it or even if it will be feasible to do so…

**bvandyk** · 2025/01/09, 08:09 AM

I also have one that does exactly the same. I opened it up and tested the panels separately, and couldn't find the problem.

A guy in AU had the same and managed to repair it, but my individual panels look a bit different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNpfqQ-4K8

My opened up panel is up for grabs free of charge to anyone that wants to give it a go.

**HennieC** · 2025/01/09, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by bvandyk

I also have one that does exactly the same. I opened it up and tested the panels separately, and couldn't find the problem.

A guy in AU had the same and managed to repair it, but my individual panels look a bit different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNpfqQ-4K8

My opened up panel is up for grabs free of charge to anyone that wants to give it a go.

Sent a PM

**KrokODell** · 2025/01/09, 12:52 PM

This is concerning. I also have the 200W Eiger foldable.

Nerd, how did you determine it only gives 50W? In other words, how would I determine if mine works like it should or not?

**Nerd** · 2025/01/10, 02:40 PM

Hi, I have a Victron charge controller, so BT to phone and the stats are available.

**AndreV** · 2025/01/10, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by KrokODell

This is concerning. I also have the 200W Eiger foldable.

Nerd, how did you determine it only gives 50W? In other words, how would I determine if mine works like it should or not?

I was also thinking about testing mine this weekend if we see some sun.

Would connecting a multimeter to the panel not give you the readings you are after?

**Nerd** · 2025/01/10, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by AndreV

I was also thinking about testing mine this weekend if we see some sun.

Would connecting a multimeter to the panel not give you the readings you are after?

If you can get to the connection of the individual panel, and disconnect it, you can measure the voltage. If you add a load that can use that voltage, you can check the current with most DIY Multimeters.
You cannot measure the wattage, that you get from that panel, with a multimeter to my knowledge.

But, if you have the voltage (VDC) and the current (Amps), you can calculate the wattage for that application.

**Paul Dold** · 2025/01/10, 05:58 PM

My cheap multimeter gives me amps as well as volts. (Few meters do this) ------I measure from the panel's Anderson plug. ---Also via the Victron Connect system on my phone.

**Dungbeetle** · 2025/01/10, 06:15 PM

I run up to 6 x 80W panels when we camp. That's a load to pack somewhere. A while back spent some serious moola on 2 x 140W well known foldups planning to get a 3rd. They simply do not produce, very disappointing.....sold them for a significant loss and back to my trusted 3 sets of 2x80=160W panels. I use the sets in series as required.