Review on 🌞 Renogy 100W Eclipse Monocrystalline Solar Suitcase with Waterproof Controller & 20A Voyager - Efficient Portable Charging Solution by Jared Stauder

A few years ago I bought an original 100w Renogy solar case with a controller. I have used it many times for camping in my small van. It has been a very valuable resource in my travels. I was able to camp in crowded areas without turning on the noisy generator. I built an additional 1500w inverter battery pack to power my microwave, computer and other AC electronics. The suitcase has been a great source of alternative energy for my travels. I can easily keep my battery fully charged with regular use of my RV. But the size and weight of every item in my van is important to me, which is why I recently bought a new smaller 100w Eclipse solar case with controller. I've included some stats below to show the difference between the two. Weight includes case, protective case and all cables provided. I checked both to see the amps and voltage produced. The battery I used was maybe 90% charged and there was a bit of sun haze, so I'm guessing the amps produced will be slightly higher with a lower charged battery and better sun. I know my original solar case works fine so this was just a test to see if the new Eclipse model can perform the same and I think it can, subject to possible variances (angles, actual battery charge, sun haze, etc.). ). This information is current at the time of purchase 6/2017. See photos. Eclipse Solar Enclosure • Weight - 23.5 lbs • Open Size - 42 x 21 x 1.5 inches • Folded Size - 21 x 21 x 3 inches • Latches - Good • Connection Cables - 3m • Connection Cables - 14 Gauge • Voltage - 14.2 • Amps Produced - 5.2 • Terminal - MC4 • Type - Monocrystalline • Efficiency - 18.35% • Case - Excellent, Semi-Rigid • 30A Adventurer PWM Controller, HE Waterproof (see edit below) • Issue 8/ 2018, it now comes with a waterproof Voyager 30 amp controller • Battery Type = Sealed Lead Acid, Flood or Gel which should be deep cycle. Closed Size - 20" x 27" x 3" • Latches - Bad • Cordset - 15 feet • Cordset - 14 gauge • Voltage - 13.9 • Power Generation - 5.4 • Connector - SAE (depending on time of purchase) • Type - Monocrystalline • Efficiency - 15.47% • Case - Excellent semi-rigid • ViewStar 10A PWM controller (depending on time of purchase) is NOT waterproof • Battery type = Gel, Sealed (AGM) and Flooded One thing I really don't like is how they built the new Eclipse patch cord. The old model had an SAE connector on the end so I installed all my RV batteries with quick disconnects (see photo) so I could easily connect the case to different systems. The new cord is 5 Foot shorter (bow) and does NOT have a quick connector, alligator clips are permanently attached to the cable so now you either have to cut the wires and attach the required connector or build/order a new cable I have various confi gurations with multiple batteries to which I connect SAE quick connectors for convenience. I really don't want to change everything now, why Renogy insists on changing his connectors all the time, I don't understand. They used SAE, Anderson Poles and are now fitted with MC4 connectors. In the past you didn't always know what kind they would send you, I know this from reading and answering many questions and answers and reviews. I'm also confused as to why they are always attached to alligator clips. All you have to do is read a few questions and answers to see that most users want a direct connection. It takes me about 2 hours (with a motorcycle jack and other special equipment) to get to my van's battery, so alligator clips are useless. I noticed that the metal legs are now connected to the frame with plastic blocks where the original case used metal. If I have any issues with them I will update this review accordingly. I see another reviewer had an issue with them. Mine arrived in good condition, includes 2-50w solar panels, controller, frame, 10ft cable with MC4 connectors, controller manual (case manual online) and good case. I was missing some parts; temperature sensor and battery voltage sensor. My setup is a 60Ah AGM battery that runs the RV and then a separate 2-81Ah deep cycle battery that I created to run the individual cells. Both units feature an SAE quick connector for easy connection. My old suitcase can easily put out about 6 amps in full sun and a low battery. Sorry for writing so much, I know most people don't like long reviews (I never get much feedback lol) but I always write what I want. I would like to find out more about the item before I buy it. For me this Eclipse model is what I want to buy but space in my wheeled van is expensive. You can find the original okay, they are quality products that meet the specifications. Better latches on the new one are also a plus. The latches on the original are almost useless. If you have any questions, ask, I'll try to answer them. I will update this review as needed. Edit 8/14/2017… Just used it for the first time (2 week trip) and here are my first impressions, nothing special, all small points: The new Adventurer controller seems to work differently than the original ViewStar. The ViewStar and Adventurer had high amps to start with, but the ViewStar gradually lowered them once the battery was fully charged. It appears that the Adventurer will maintain a high current while charging and then turn off once the battery is fully charged. ViewStar never turns off but always indicates that it is charging. The new Eclipse is much more difficult to close due to its smaller size. It is much more difficult to stow larger cables in the smaller interior space of the case. The new cables are not as good as the ones in the original case. I had to buy an extension cord to make up for the shorter size, and the cords are much thicker and stiffer, and there are two instead of one (the original has both wires in one cord). I suspect that the cable's original wire was braided more heavily, which made the cable much nicer overall. I don't like MC4 connections either, they are more like a house connection; They are not quick connectors, rather you need a tool to open them. They are also too bulky for this system. The new Eclipse case is "tight", I pinched my fingers several times. very good. All these moments are insignificant. Edit 8/12/2018: Renogy now has a model with a waterproof controller, see listings. Review. It was terrible in this application. As I mentioned, that's two wires (one for negative and one for positive) compared to the original Renogy case which had one wire and two wires. Also, they were stiff and difficult to roll every day. Also, they have these useless MC4 connectors. So I finally went to the hardware store and found 14 gauge wire (two wires in one cord, just like a regular heavy duty extension cord). The guy said they had low voltage for your outside yard. I bought the 20' and it works PERFECTLY! I can finally put my cables back in my suitcase with ease, I really didn't like the Renogy extension. I think I'll lose a little caliber, but it's worth it (12 gauge vs 14 gauge). Edit 4/1/2019: Renogy now sells chargers that can charge lithium batteries. I would like to switch to lithium-ion batteries because of the many advantages (cost not one of them). -w-lcd-display/Edit 10/23/2019 Both of my controllers on both of my cases started going haywire so I called Renogy Tech Support. I've had bad service from them in the past but today was very good, my wait was around 20 minutes and all my questions were answered. My ViewStar controller stopped working most of the time and they said it was usually due to a bad connection. But since I had already checked the connections, he figured they would probably go bad. The adventurer locked himself in, but said it was okay. I told him he hadn't done this in the past, only recently. I will check and wait but for another one I will buy a new controller. Edit 7/1/2020 One of the plastic blocks connecting the legs to the suitcase broke. I called Renogy and they told me to contact the sales department (I spoke to a tech) and that they only sell plastic. So instead of buying another low quality plastic I went to the hardware store and bought some heavy duty metal L brackets and made my own "blocks" to connect the legs (see new photo labeled "bracket" ). I think it will be much stronger in the future, it works very well. I also had a bad solar controller, Renogy wanted me to do more testing, you can see my new review at Renogy Wanderer 10 Amp Solar Controller. Again, if you have any questions just ask and I'll try to answer them. I will update this review as needed.