Go Power Retreat Solar Charging System with Digital Solar Controller - 100 Watt Solar Panel

Go Power RV Solar Panels - 34272635

Using a 100-watt solar panel and solar controller, this RV charging system provides an extra boost to your RV batteries while you're on the road. Controller regulates and monitors power output while preventing harmful overcharging.

Features:

• Solar system provides an off-grid charging solution
• 100-Watt monocrystalline solar panel uses sunlight to charge your RV batteries
  • Made from weatherproof and impact-resistant materials to stand up to the elements
• 30-Amp PWM solar controller adjusts solar panel output for a quick, consistent charge
  • Automatic multistage smart charging system helps extend battery life
  • Digital display monitors amperage, voltage, and battery capacity
• Kit includes 1 solar panel, solar controller, MC4 cables, and installation hardware
  • Solar panel expansion (sold separately) increases solar power output
  • Inverter (sold separately) provides AC power to run appliances and electronics
  • Adjustable mount kit (sold separately) lets you angle the solar panel for maximum sunlight exposure

Specs:

• Application: 12V battery systems
• Number of solar panels: 1
• Solar panel wattage: 100 watts
• Solar controller input current: 30 amps

If you are an energy-conscious RV owner, the Go Power Retreat solar charging system provides clean, renewable power and an extra boost to your batteries while you are on the road. This kit comes with everything you need to charge your RV batteries with sunlight. Using a solar panel, this system collects solar energy to create DC power that passes through a solar controller to charge your RV batteries.

How It Works

Collecting Solar Power

The charging process starts with the solar panel, which installs on the roof of your RV. When solar energy interacts with the silicon cells in the panel, it generates a flow of DC electrical current that charges your RV's batteries. Each of the monocrystalline cells is made from a single crystal of silicon, so the electrons that create the current have more space to move, making this panel more efficient than one with polycrystalline cells. And in optimal sunlight conditions, the panel produces 100 watts per hour.

The silicon cells are set between a cushioned backing material and tempered solar glass to withstand the elements. The glass has low-iron content to provide exceptional transparency, which ensures maximum sunlight collection. Finally, the panel is framed with anodized marine-grade aluminum to resist rust and corrosion.

An adjustable mount kit (sold separately) can increase your solar panel performance by angling it for maximum sun exposure. This kit replaces the panel's existing brackets and allows it to tilt at 3 different angles. This also improves solar charging during winter months when the sun is lower in the sky.

Charging and Protecting RV Battery Bank

The solar controller prevents harmful overcharging by adjusting the power generated by the solar panel before it reaches your batteries. It uses pulse width modulation technology to regulate the output through pulses that provide a consistent charge. Typically, this type of technology is a good fit for smaller systems with lower voltages.

Using a multistage charging system, the controller automatically switches voltages while the battery bank charges. This accelerates the charge, but also helps extend battery life by adjusting the voltage during the different modes. The controller is compatible with multiple battery types and includes preset charging profiles for sealed/gel, AGM, flooded/wet cell, and lithium batteries.

Charging Modes

1. Bulk: This mode charges at the full rated load for a quicker recharge time. As the name suggests, this is where the bulk of the charging happens. It typically charges the battery to at least 80% capacity.
2. Absorption: This mode provides controlled voltage to ensure a full charge. Once the battery reaches between 80% to 90% capacity, the absorption state will kick in and start charging at a regulated voltage. In each charging profile, this mode is set to last for 30 minutes after the bulk charge is completed.
3. Float: Once the battery reaches full charge, this mode maintains a lower voltage to compensate for self-discharge. This reduces battery stress and minimizes gassing and water loss.
4. Equalization: On flooded/wet cell batteries, this mode activates to prevent stratification and sulfate buildup during extended float cycles. These two issues can damage a battery by causing the accumulation of acid at the bottom of the battery and hardened sulfate crystals on the battery plates. This mode is especially helpful when your battery is going unused during storage.

With Maximum Power Boost Technology, you can simply press a button to activate Bulk mode for the highest charging voltage. This lets you quickly top off your battery bank before the end of the day by capturing as much power as possible.

This solar controller is built to charge two battery banks and has terminals for a primary and secondary battery. Your primary battery will receive the full current until it is completely charged. Then, your secondary battery will start to draw the charge current.

The backlit, digital display acts as an information center for your solar panel output. It shows the charging current, battery voltage, and battery state of charge. It also allows you to input your battery type and choose a charging profile. Additionally, a built-in USB port on the front of the controller provides a convenient outlet to charge your cell phone or tablet.

It includes a Bluetooth function that lets you connect the controller to your smartphone or tablet with the free Go Power! Connect app. With this app, you can wirelessly view the same live battery information included on the display. Also, you can control your battery profile and toggle Maximum Power Boost Technology mode.

Lastly, the controller includes several built-in safety features to help protect your equipment. The charging process will shut down if the controller starts to overheat and when an overcurrent is detected. Also, if the battery or solar panel is wired incorrectly, it activates a reverse polarity alarm.

How It Installs

The system includes a 100-watt solar panel, a 30-amp PWM solar controller, MC4 cables, and all the necessary installation hardware.

1. Solar Panel: The solar panel installs anywhere on your RV roof with included mounting feet and hardware. To maximize sunlight collection, it is important to install the panel where it avoids shadows cast by objects, like an air conditioner or vent. The panel uses MC4 cables to connect to the solar controller. These cables can enter the RV through the refrigerator vent or using a Go Power cable entry plate (sold separately). The cable entry plate provides a covered housing and uses a quick connect setup for the MC4 cables.
2. Solar Controller: The solar controller flush-mounts to a wall inside your RV. The manual includes a mounting template with measurements to ensure proper installation. It is wired to the solar panel using MC4 cables. Then, the battery bank is wired to the primary terminals on the controller. If you are using additional batteries, they can be connected to the secondary terminals. The included 30-amp fuse is installed between the solar controller and battery for additional current protection.

Note: This kit may require more wiring and additional parts depending on your RV setup.

Individual Component Specs:

Solar panel:

• Rated power: 100 watts
• Amperage: 5.43 amps
• Voltage: 18.4V
• IP rating: IP67
• MC4 cable length: 25' each
• Dimensions: 47-1/8" long x 21-1/2" wide x 1-3/8" deep
• Weight: 17.6 lbs
• 25-Year limited warranty

Solar controller:

• Maximum input current: 30 amps
• Maximum input voltage: 28V
• Operating temperature range: -40 F to 185 F
• Temperature compensation: -13mV per F
• Maximum wire gauge: #4 AWG
• Dimensions: 7-1/2" wide x 4-1/4" long x 1-1/4" deep
• Weight: 0.66 lbs
• 5-Year warranty

82844 Go Power! Retreat Solar Charging Kit - RV Solar Charging - Rigid Panel - 30-Amp Digital Regulator/Controller - 100 Watt - 5.43 Amps

Replaces Go Power 78219REVA

Replaces Go Power 72635

Installation Details