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789 Review
22 Karma

Review on 🌞 Efficient 12V Solar Panel Kit: Topsolar 30W Charger + 10A Solar Charge Controller + Mount Bracket for Car, RV, Boat, and Off-grid System by Joshua Carter

Revainrating 3 out of 5

Looks good though.

Well if you expect a quality product I suggest you look elsewhere. Packaging: To be honest I was surprised it didn't break. It's literally protected by a box and a sheet of foam no thicker than a sheet of paper. I really had to test this thing to make sure it didn't have any cracks. It also had mounting hardware behind the device that could easily scratch or damage the panel on the back. Anyway, mine survived the delivery, I hope yours too. Quality: Looks (and feels) very cheap. I had to "handle it with care" to put my mind at rest when installing it on the bracket. The brackets are very thin, but the panel itself is very light, so that's fine. I plan on using these in Cayes and I don't expect them to last very long. The screws are stainless steel, which is a plus. Functionality: I took it outside in the sunlight for a quick setup before taking it home for tea. This is to make sure it works and I don't have any "surprises" when I get to an island that has nothing on it. I followed the instructions: I connected the "load" (DC inverter) first, then my deep battery, then the panel. All the lights came on, but it was hard for me to see the "battery" light in the sun. Apparently this LED is supposed to be green and/or red and I couldn't tell if the color I was seeing was green since the PV LED next to it was also green. Disconnecting the battery showed that it was partially flashing red but still glowing green. I think. I think the LED indicators could use a little improvement, but that's just my opinion. I haven't fully charged the battery yet, but if it doesn't work I'll get back to you with an updated review. Aside from the points mentioned, the only other concerns I have are the length of the cables. They're just not long enough for any application I can think of. Luckily I have an extra cable here and there that I'll use, so it doesn't matter to me. This is only for those willing to make adjustments at the time of shipping. Be prepared to buy additional things. And FYI, you still need an inverter to run 110V devices. You cannot operate devices directly from this build. Hope that helps.

Pros
  • Solar Panels
Cons
  • Long Delivery Time