The Jackery Explorer Input And The Adapter You Need
The input on Jackery Explorer power stations is called an 8mm connector. This is a round connector which also has a positive and a negative part to it.
Since we know that the SAE connector has a positive female pin and a negative male pin, we need an adapter that has the opposite.
This adapter includes what is called an SAE reverse polarity adapter, which will reverse the positive and negative. You do not need to use that to connect the panel to an Explorer power station.
Note that if you have the newer Explorer 1500. you are going to have to use the adapter included by Jackery to connect the adapter above to the power station.
Thats because Jackery has created a proprietary 8mm input for the Explorer 1500, and even though its called an 8mm input its slightly different from the regular 8mm connector used by other manufacturers.
When you have the adapter, you simply connect the solar panel to the adapter, then connect it to the power station.
Are Harbor Freight Solar Panels Waterproof
The junction box on the back of the panel is water-resistant, and the SAE connectors should withstand rain as long as theyre connected to another SAE connector or has the cap on.
I would ask Harbor Freight to be sure though, since it might void your warranty if its damaged due to rain and/or dust.
Im Not Sure Whether The Polarity Is Correct Or Not
You can use a multimeter to check the polarity of the wires. This is also helpful when troubleshooting a setup thats not working correctly.
A digital multimeter like this one by Kaiweets works, just set it to four oclock and stick the red test lead in the supposedly positive SAE connector on the panel/adapter.
Then do the same with the black test lead. If it shows a positive voltage on the little screen, you know its wired correctly. You can test it the opposite way to understand what it looks like if the polarity is reversed.
Are Harbor Freight Solar Panels Any Good
In general, Harbor Freight solar panels rate as highly as comparable solar panels on the market. Some even prefer harbor freight solar panels to more expensive options.
Its a fair question to ask considering Harbor Freight is known for discount tools more than anything.
It is important to note that the solar panels Harbor Freight sells are NOT meant as a home energy solution as they mainly offer 100 Watt panels which are more suited to charging devices or powering small appliances.
Most people that use these set them up as supplemental power for a shed or garage or perhaps as an off-grid solution to help power a few things at a cabin or while camping.
The Solar Panels That Could
When it came time to add solar to my rig I begin researching and pricing out what I felt would be affordable and most of all effective. My solar was going on my truck camper and I really didnt want the panels to just sit there when not in use and get piled up with snow.
I then begin to look at many of the suitcase styles but really didnt find anything I felt would last and after reading reviews I found many had issues. So where could I find a quality panel and yet portable. In my research I stumbled across the Harbor Freight 100 Watts Solar Kit.
At the time I was looking to purchase this kit was on sale for 149.00 and so I thought to myself if it fails I dont have much into it and it was a lost I was willing to take. The 100 watt solar kit, Harbor Freight item #63585. was just the ticket to fit my need. Please Note: The manual, posted online as a PDF, fails to describe a few useful details which well cover here.
Every product picture showed the four panels lined up in a row. But in fact the four panels are capable of standing separately as each panel is in their own frame and has their own folding stand. Bolting them together is optional. If the panels are to be deployed and stowed frequently, leaving them separate might make sense as the panels are much easier to handle individually.
How Long Do Harbor Freight Solar Panels Last
The lifespan of a solar panel is typically 20-25 years, but this can vary depending on the quality of the panel and how well it is maintained. Harbor Freight solar panels are made with high-quality materials and are designed to withstand exposure to the elements, so they should last for many years.
However, it is important to note that the panels should be cleaned regularly to ensure they are able to absorb sunlight and generate power efficiently.
Additionally, the panels should be inspected periodically for damage, such as cracked glass or loose connections, and repaired as necessary.
Harbor Freight Solar Panel Specifications:
Most of the solar panels that Harbor Freight sells are 100 Watt models. Here are the specs for the 100 Watt Harbor Freight Solar Panel:
- Peak Power Output: 100 Watts
- Open Circuit Voltage: 21.60 Volts
- Short Circuit Current: Amps
- Operating Temperature Range:.40° to 185° F
- Dimensions: 26.77 x 19.88 x 0.98
- Weight: 12 lbs.
Harbor Freight #63585 100 Watt Solar Kit
Seeking more power than what a 1.5 watt solar panel could provide, its time to step up to the 100 watt solar kit, Harbor Freight item #63585. The manual, posted online as a PDF, fails to describe a few useful details which well cover here.
Every product picture showed the four panels lined up in a row. But in fact the four panels are capable of standing separately as each panel is in their own frame and has their own folding stand. Bolting them together is optional. If the panels are to be deployed and stowed frequently, leaving them separate might make sense as the panels are much easier to handle individually.
The package content lists wires but not their length. Each panel has a 3 meter long wire permanently attached. This wire terminates in a connector common to Harbor Freight solar products but its exact type specification is unknown. It is definitely not the MC4 connector common in rooftop solar installations.
The four panels connect into a 4-to-1 module. The four wire side are half a meter long, and the unified side has a 3 meter long wire towards the controller. A final half-meter long adapter has the unknown HF solar automotive connector on one end and a barrel connector on the other. The barrel connector fits into a corresponding jack on the controller.
Genetic Algorithm Matlab Code For Optimization Pdf
ENERGIZER 320WH WATT SOLAR GENERATOR. ECOFLO RIVER 600. JACKERY 500. BLUETTI EB70. RENOGY 1OO WATT SOLARPANEL. RICH SOLAR 100 WATT SOLARPANEL. HQST 50 WATT SOLARPANELS. BOUGERV 100 WATT FOLDING SOLARPANELS. BLUETTI 120 WATT FOLDING SOLARPANELS.
Posts about harbor freight coupons written by zchenhft. Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database Free coupons, 25 percent off from www.hfqpdb.com ‘9906099’ 100 watt solar panel A 12 v battery and a power inverter.
Adding a Harbor Freight 45 Watt Solar Panel to My Storage Building: Earlier this year we bought a 10′ X 20 quot storage building and had it delivered to the backyard. The storage building is great – I’m slowly moving things from my garage to the building, I’m doing this slowly because at the end of the day I don’t.
Oct 19, 2010 100 Watt SolarPanel Briefcase. The THUNDERBOLT SOLAR 100 Watt Foldable SolarPanel Briefcase uses high efficiency monocrystalline solar cells for top performance in a wide range of weather conditions. Ideal for electronics, small appliances, lights and fans.100 watts total, produces an average of 31 ….
ramsey county autopsy reports
What You Need To Know
Before we get into the specifics, there are some things we need to know before we connect anything.
Solar Charge Controller
The job of a solar charge controller is to take the voltage and amperage generated by a solar panel and regulate it. Then it sends the regulated electricity off to the battery.
Portable power stations have built-in solar charge controllers so you can connect solar panels directly to them.
The Jackery Explorer is not going to charge if you use two charge controllers. Therefore, we should not buy a solar panel that has an external solar charge controller.
If you have already bought a panel that included a solar charge controller, you can simply not use it. If its hardwired to the solar panel youre going to have to either bypass it, or buy a different panel.
Input Ratings
Not all solar charge controllers are the same. They have different input ratings, meaning that they accept different voltages and amperages.
The input ratings can usually be found in the manual of the power station, or by the port on the power station.
Most Jackery Explorer power stations can handle voltages between 12-30V, and a typical 100W 12V solar panel like the most popular one from Harbor Freight outputs around 18V which makes it compatible.
If you combine two or more panels, youre going to increase either the voltage or the amperage but we will get to that later on.
While its OK to exceed the amperage to a certain point, you should never exceed the max input voltage.
Check Inventory For This Product At A Store Near You
Protect your 12 volt lead-acid or gel cell battery from overcharging and deep discharging with this 30 amp solar charge controller. The charge controller reduces overall system maintenance and prolongs the life of your battery. This solar charge controller or “charge regulator” is capable of handling a solar cell array voltage of 15-25 volts.
- Handles up to 30 amps of solar
- Prevents battery back-drain through panels at night
- Reduces overall system maintenance
- For use with solar arrays typically 15-22 volts, 25 volts max
- Easy-to-read display
- Multiple electric protection: low voltage, overcharge and discharge protection
How To Connect A Solar Panel Bought At Harbor Freight To A Jackery Explorer Power Station
Solar panels can be bought at a lot of different places nowadays, the popular hardware store Harbor Freight is one of those places.
A Harbor Freight solar panel is not compatible with a Jackery power station directly out of the box though since it requires additional adapters.
Related Product: Extend the cable between the solar panel and the power station with an SAE extension cable by iGreely
In this article I am going to tell you what these connectors are called, and how you go about connecting the two.
The Harbor Freight Solar Panels What Connectors Do They Use
Most solar panels sold by Harbor Freight today use SAE connectors. This is a two-conductor DC connector that is easy and quick to connect/disconnect, which makes it a great connector for a solar panel.
SAE connectors have one male pin and one female pin. One is positive and one is negative, but which is which depends on the wiring and adapters used.
The panels from Harbor Freight that use SAE connectors I have looked at have a positive female pin and a negative male pin. This is important when we search for the right adapter.
A positive wire is often red and a negative wire black. The wires are not different from one another other than the color, which is only made this way to make it easier to connect and follow the wire.
You might find a connector with a small or – on it, with a cable color that makes it look like its the opposite of what the connector says.
This is nothing to worry about, as long as you can follow the wire and make sure that the positive output ends up with a positive input.
How Long Will It Take To Charge My Explorer Power Station
It depends on how big the power station is in watt-hours. A 100W panel will generate around 70-80W, but if your power station has a max input of 65W you need to do a calculation based on that.
For example, the latest Explorer 500 has a battery capacity of 518Wh and maxes out at around 70W.
The way to calculate how long it would take to charge the Explorer 500 with a 100W solar panel is then: 518/70=7.4 hours.
We also need to consider the fact that the charge controller will start out charging the battery fast, then slow down as it is getting closer to a full charge.
Therefore, I would add another hour or two to the estimate to get a more accurate number, resulting in 8-9 hours for a full charge.
How Much Can I Go Over On The Amps
While I personally dont recommend going over 150% of the maximum amps with an Explorer power station, Jackery do not recommend going over on the amps at all.
For warranty reasons you should stick to what the manufacturer says.
Some charge controllers are more sensitive than others, but I havent had any problems using 200W of solar with my Explorer 500 for a couple of years.
Chevy Traverse Fuel Pump Relay Location
audi lane departure warning not working
TIPS FOR INSTALLING THE THUNDERBOLT SOLAR KIT. The Thunderbolt solar kit comes complete with three 15 watt solar panels for a total of 45 watts. It also includes all of the parts you will need: a mounting frame, controller box, cables, connectors and even a couple of 12 volt lights that plug directly into the controller box. Day 1. Sharing my first day using the 100W Harbor Freight Solar Panel Kit. This is the new July, 2017 version of the Harbor Freight Solar Panel Kit. The k. Montgomery County is the first place in Maryland to implement the “20 is Plenty” program, but D. YouTube.Drivers are issued citations if Jul 18, 2019 The reduced speed limit is in effect for a roughly 6 mile-long section of the.
Oct 19, 2010 100 Watt SolarPanel Briefcase. The THUNDERBOLT SOLAR 100 Watt Foldable SolarPanel Briefcase uses high efficiency monocrystalline solar cells for top performance in a wide range of weather conditions. Ideal for electronics, small appliances, lights and fans.100 watts total, produces an average of 31 …. WindyNation 100-Watt 12-Volt Slim Polycrystalline Solar Panel for RV, Boat, Camping, Off-Grid SOL-HD-100LP-01-HD. WindyNation’s low profile design solar panel is ultra.
Are Harbor Freight Solar Panels Water Proof
Harbor Freight solar panels are not classified as waterproof but are considered weather resistant and can withstand rain, snow, and sleet. This means the panels can withstand exposure to water, but water should not be allowed to pool and they should not be submerged.
It is important to note that the solar panels should not be installed in an area where they will be constantly exposed to water, such as under a gutter or on a flat roof, as this can cause the panels to degrade over time.
This also means that they should not be permanently mounted on a roof like standard photovoltaic solar panels. Those have a much more durable construction and are designed to be exposed to the elements for years.
If you live in an area where it snows, it is important to clean the snow off of the panels so that they can absorb sunlight and generate power.
Examples Of Stop Loss And Take Profit
Solar Decorative Lights. Shop All Solar Decorative Lights. Get free, clean, quiet energy with solar panels from Harbor Freight. Rugged design. Ideal for charging smartphones, tablets and other small electronic devices. No Hassle Return.
That being said, Harbor solar panel is designed with 100 Watt energy capacity and that is great for providing backup for regular electricity. With Harbor freight panel, you can.
In this video I discuss my experience with the harborfreightsolarpanel kit. We’ve been running the 45 watt kit for a few years and decided to try the 100.
AA and AAA Solar Battery Charger: Another popular item Xantrex’s new-generation Freedom SW series represents highly sophisticated and advanced inverter/chargers available in 3000W with.
There are a lot of critics for all things Harbor Freight. Some of it is justified. However, this is a great way to explore solar technology without spending much money. With a basic DIY kit and a solar inverter, you can create free energy for not a lot of time nor a lot of money. #6 Basic Solar Parts Needed for a DIY Camper Van or RV Solar Install.
A database of the best coupons for HarborFreight Tools. HarborFreight Tools Coupon Database. Browse All Coupons | Recent Uploads | Expiring Soon … 100 WATT SOLARPANEL KIT Lot No. 64335/63585 Expired: 7/4/22 – 169.99 Coupon Code: ‘10686106’ 100 WATT SOLARPANEL KIT Lot No. 64335/63585 Expired:.
Mbta Commuter Rail Trip Planner
Solar Decorative Lights. Shop All Solar Decorative Lights. Get free, clean, quiet energy with solarpanels from HarborFreight. Rugged design. Ideal for charging smartphones, tablets and other small electronic devices. No Hassle Return Policy. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
This is the new July, 2017 version of the Harbor Freight Solar Panel Kit San Antonio Rain Gauge Also, each and every solar system that you buy can be set-up in a different way 33 (original price 259 The Windy Nation 100-Watt Solar Panel allows The Windy Nation 100-Watt Solar Panel allows you to start producing free, clean power from the sun.
Harbor freight‘s 100 watt solar panel kit is very popular, its a portable system, but useableHarbor Freight 100 watt Solar Panels Kit.Using the System, wh. Montgomery County is the first place in Maryland to implement the “20 is Plenty” program, but D. YouTube. Drivers are issued citations if Jul 18, 2019 The reduced speed limit is in.
May 30, 2022 Harbor Freight Solar Panel Review and DIY Episode 1. May 30, 2022. 113. 0. Follow me on my Harbor Freight solar panel journey which starts from unboxing, to conceptualization, to final installation. In episode 1, I explain a little about myself, how I came to purchasing these solarpanel kits, and Ill show you the outside of the box.
sabrent 2tb rocket 4 plus vs Samsung 980 pro
former indiana basketball players
Are Harbor Freight Batteries any Good? Review
Batteries from Harbor Freight, are they Worth it? Today we will take a look at the three levels of batteries currently available for purchase at Harbor Freight Tools.
Having been a customer of theirs for the past few years, I have used all three of these batteries…with mixed results.
In this article I will go over my own personnel experiences with using these batteries in my devices. See more below.
Are Harbor Freight Batteries any Good?
First, lets go over the Three Types of batteries they currently offer.
- Thunderbolt Magnum (Yellow) – GOOD
- Thunderbolt Alkaline (Orange) – BETTER
- Thunderbolt Edge (Blue) – BEST
Rated as Good, Better and Best. The pricing you pay for each of these options will be directly tied to the kind of performance you can expect.
Pricing Performance
Like most things, the price you will pay will closely match the type of performance.
GOOD – Thunderbolt Heavy Duty Magnum
The Yellow Thunderbolt Heavy Duty batteries are Harbor Freights budget line of power.
They are the least expensive of all of the options and can even be picked up as a “Free Item” with coupon.
Speaking of Harbor Freight Thunderbolt Battery Coupons, to see all the current “Free Items” check out the Coupon Database here.
Advertised for use in low-drain items like LED flashlights, TV remotes, clocks and portable radios.
So far I have been pretty disappointed with this line of batteries to the point I will no longer purchase them…for any reason. While they are a super low-cost battery (or can be picked up for FREE) I just don’t have the need to have these batteries around.
- Very low-cost, can be picked up for Free on promotion
- Budget option for very low drain applications like TV remotes, clocks, low-end LED flashlights
- Even brand new these batteries may not work in devices that require higher power draw (electric trimmers, digital cameras, bright lights)
In items like electric razors and many higher power LED lights I tried them in, the batteries were just unable to run the devices to their full potential.
Sure, they might work fine in TV remotes or clocks but since that is about all I can see myself using them on, it is just not worth having a large supply of these batteries on hand.
BETTER – Thunderbolt Alkaline
The Orange Thunder Bolt batteries are the middle of the line batteries offered by Harbor Freight. While they are considerably better vs the Yellow “Heavy Duty” batteries they don’t quite stack up to your typical Duracell or Energizer batteries.
You can find these batteries on sale with a coupon but I have never seen this line of battery ever offered as a “Free Item”
Since these are an Alkaline battery they perform much better vs the Yellow Thunderbolts (zinc chloride) mentioned above. I have used these battery successfully in trimmers, LED lights, motion lights, fire alarms without issue.
- Value priced for middle of the road performance
- With coupon these batteries are a great deal for items that will not be used frequently (toys, trail cams, flashlights, mouse, LED lights, X box controllers, etc)
- Not quite as good as a Duracell or Energizer batteries when it comes to longevity in high-drain devices.
If you are looking for a good “Value” battery these would be an excellent option. Many other users also report good results when using these batteries in trail cams and X box controllers.
BEST – Thunderbolt Edge Alkaline
The Blue Thunderbolt Edge batteries are currently the best batteries offered by Harbor Freight and perform nearly as well as your big name brands like Duracell Energizer.
Perfect to use in any application that calls for a standard Alkaline battery. This includes toys, digital cameras, trail cameras, x box controllers, computer mice, trimmers, LED lights, Tactical flashlights, smoke detectors etc.
I have yet to have an issue with any device when using these batteries.
- Plenty of power to run demanding electronics
- With coupon these batteries are a great value as they offer name-brand performance at a fraction of the cost
- Great in every application I have tested them in
- Available in popular sizes (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)
Are Harbor Freight Thunderbolt Batteries any Good?
Yes, the Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt Edge line of Alkaline batteries work very well in most devices and are a great value compared to most name brands. However, the Thunderbolt Heavy Duty Magnum line of Zinc Chloride batteries are pretty poor due to a lack of quality control and power.
In my option I would stay away from the Thunderbolt Heavy Duty Magnum (Yellow) batteries as they are simply not worth the trouble of having them around.
Even as a “Free” gift they fail to provide adequate power to most electronic devices.
How do they stack up vs the competition?
Does Harbor Freight Sell Rechargeable Batteries?
Yes, Harbor Freight does sell a line of High Capacity NiMH Rechargeable Batteries. Advertised to be capable of being recharged up to 1000 times.
These batteries are popular for use in solar lighting applications like solar deck lights, stakes and path lighting due to their ability to be recharged.
Affordable Batteries for Solar Applications
If you don’t plan on using these batteries in self-charging solar applications then a separate battery charger will be required. HF sells a plug in version that is capable of recharging AA and AAA batteries (item# 62151,68025)
I have not personally used these batteries yet but they currently hold a 4.7 star review on the HF website with minimal complaints.
The rechargeable Thunderbolt batteries are available in all popular sizes like AA, AAA, C, D and 9V.
Getting a Bead on Setting Up a Simple Solar Panel Kit
When it comes to understanding electricity, my mind tends to blank out when it gets to the point where I have to determine volts, amps, amp-hours, voltage under load and other terms that are second nature to the electricity savvy. Let me make it clear that this is not a girl thing or a guy thing. It is simply that some of us are better at understanding how power and electricity works than others.
In all fairness, in my boating days I was quite familiar with the operation of our house batteries and the inverter. Using this set-up, I had fresh coffee in the morning and power for my laptop. Life was sweet. Although that was almost ten years ago, the lessons learned were simple: don’t discharge the batteries more than 60% and don’t mess with a working electrical system unless you know what you are doing.
Given my own thick head when in comes to all things electrical, I have always considered the prospect of installing a small solar system in my home a bit daunting. I should not have worried.
HARBOR FREIGHT TO THE RESCUE
A few months ago I was contacted by Harbor Freight and asked if I would like to try out one of their Magnum Thunderbolt Solar Kits. This was not the time to be bashful so of course I said yes, as long as they understood there would be little or no sun in the Washington State for a month or two. Having set the stage, I was sent the following items for testing:
So how did it go? The first thing I did was recruit the Survival Husband to do the heavy lifting. Then, together, we decided that we would install the solar kit on the roof of our garage which was angled just right and facing the south. During the summer months, we should get six to seven hour of sun a day in this location.
We also agreed that climbing the roof was a task for someone younger – a lot younger – so until my brother and my electronics wizard nephew come to visit, we set things up on our upper patio and to heck with the patio furniture.
TIPS FOR INSTALLING THE THUNDERBOLT SOLAR KIT
The Thunderbolt solar kit comes complete with three 15 watt solar panels for a total of 45 watts. It also includes all of the parts you will need: a mounting frame, solar charge controller box, cables, battery terminal clamps and even a couple of 12 volt lights that plug directly into the controller box. Everything is included for a ground level installation. On the other hand, a roof top installation will require some brackets – something we have not purchased yet.
The installation was simple. We just followed the instructions in the manual and things worked. Okay, truth be told, Shelly (the Survival Husband) does not always read manuals thoroughly so he put the frame together goofy and had to start over. And then he could not find the power switch on the inverter and thought it was defective. I found it, turned it on and had immediate power.
He did offer up some tips:
When assembling the frame, make sure the top bar marked front actually faces front. Otherwise you cannot install the legs.
There are two sizes of screws with wing nuts. The bag with eight screws are shorter and are the screws to be used when assembling the frame.
When attaching the three panels to the frame, it is easier to attach the middle panel first. Other than that, just follow the instructions.
After completing the frame and panel setup, follow the directions by attaching the 3 leads from the panel to the splitter cable. Add the extension cable and plug into the charge controller. Next attach the battery terminals (on the battery) to the charge controller to confirm that you are receiving voltage from the solar panels. There is a large LED display on the front of the charge controller indicating the voltage so that you will know right away if everything is working okay.
You need to use an inverter to convert the power to AC. In that case, you need to attach the included cables from the inverter to your battery terminals.
The solar charge regulator box itself, without an inverter, has a 12V cigarette lighter socket, 5V USB, 3-6-9V DC outlets and two 12V sockets for the included light kit. Note that the USB port is only 5 volts, okay for cell phones, Kindles and tablets such as an iPad but not for devices or electronics that require higher voltage.
The 12V battery is not waterproof so you will need to keep it covered and protected from the elements.
The Quick Start guide is well laid out and intuitive with accurate, easy to understand diagrams. Plus, all of the manuals are available online so that they will always be handy, even if you lose the originals.
BUT DOES IT WORK?
The first thing I tested was my crock pot. If the grid was down and I wanted to eat but I did not want to build a fire, a working crockpot would be a godsend. It uses just a modest amount of steady power and can be used for soups, stews and even for baking quick breads. I ran the crockpot for quite some time with no problems.
My next test was more challenging – a hair straightening iron. If my hair iron worked, then I not only would look good, but I would be able to re-seal the Mylar bags I opened to get to my stored food items. Again, no problem. From there I moved to lighting and to my alkaline battery charger. Again, everything worked perfectly and I was pleased.
Using the Harbor Freight solar system was almost to easy – definitely a set it and forget it operation although the directions indicate you should not leave a charging battery unattended.
I am not done testing yet. The way these things work is that more batteries equals more amp hours equals more current. Or, in plain English, more battery juice means you can run more stuff for a longer period of time. We plan to add some marine deep cycle batteries and a large watt inverter to the basic set up so we can run more stuff. But for the basics and for now, this system works just fine.
THE FINAL WORD
This Thunderbolt Solar Kit from Harbor Freight is inexpensive if not downright cheap. But do not let the price dissuade you. For lighting, small appliances and laptops, this system works great. It would be even better with a larger battery. You do not need to be an electronics genius to set it up but if you need help, you can find it online, especially at the New World Solar/DIY Solar Energy Forum.
It is my understanding that folks have tied two or three of these systems together for even more power. As good as that sounds, it is beyond our technical capability at this moment but we are learning and just might get to that point.
Our goal for now is the get the complete system installed on the roof and to add some additional batteries, probably the marine deep-cycle type. We will then use the solar to kit to power all of our outdoor security lighting as well as our power tools and and everything else that we have running off of our garage and outdoor receptacles.
This does not apply to us, but I think this would be an ideal backup power source for a well. The price is right and it is oh so easy to install and use which makes it a great starter kit for those wanting to try out solar and see if it is for them.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation! Gaye
If you have not done so already, please be sure to like which is updated every time there is an awesome new article, news byte, or link to a free survival, prepping or homesteading book on Amazon. You can also follow Backdoor Survival on and Google and purchase my book, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage from Amazon.
Bargain Bin: Here are some useful items to have on hand when the power is out.
Ambient Weather Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio: This is becoming a popular choice with Backdoor Survival readers. This unit is a Digital AM/FM NOAA Weather Alert Radio and a powerful 3 LED flashlight, with Smart charger, all in one portable package.
AA and AAA Solar Battery Charger: Another popular item. This unit will charge up to 2 pairs of AA or 1 pair of AAA batteries via USB or solar power.
Chemical Lighting aka Light Sticks: These are inexpensive, portable and easy to use. These come in a number of colors so take your pick.
EcoZoom Versa Rocket Stove: Burning twigs and pinecones, this stove will cook a big pot of rice in under 20 minutes. The stove is solidly built and will burn charcoal as well. There is also a version that only burns biomass for slightly less money.
Coleman Rugged Battery Powered Lantern: This sturdy Coleman has a runtime of up to 28 hours on the low setting and 18 hours on the high setting but does require D cell batteries. Personally, I have both a battery operated and propane lantern. Of course by now you know that I like redundancy with my preps.
Dorcy LED Wireless Motion Sensor Flood Lite: Don’t let the price lead you to think this wireless flood light is wimpy. I have two of these (so far) and feel that these lights are worth double the price.
Bicycle Canasta Games Playing Cards: Heck, you need something to keep yourself entertained!
100 Hour Plus Emergency Candle Clear Mist: My number one choice for emergency candles. This liquid paraffin candle will burn for over 100 hours. t is also odorless and smokeless, making it a great emergency light source that can be extinguished and re-lit as often as needed. Very safe to use.
Coleman Candle Lantern: When the lights go out, there is nothing like a Coleman. They last forever because spare parts are always available. A candle lantern will not give out the bright light of say, a propane or kerosene lantern. On the other hand, candles are likely to be available when other fuels are not.
Although I have plenty of flashlights and batteries (you might even say I have a flashlight fetish) I also stay stocked up with a dozen of these Clear Mist 100 Hour Plus Emergency Candles as well. For the best deal, purchase a dozen at a time to get a discounted price. Be sure to also check out the Clear Globe attachment.
I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here.
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
Getting a Bead on Setting Up a Simple Solar Panel Kit
When it comes to understanding electricity, my mind tends to blank out when it gets to the point where I have to determine volts, amps, amp-hours, voltage under load and other terms that are second nature to the electricity savvy. Let me make it clear that this is not a girl thing or a guy thing. It is simply that some of us are better at understanding how power and electricity works than others.
In all fairness, in my boating days I was quite familiar with the operation of our house batteries and the inverter. Using this set-up, I had fresh coffee in the morning and power for my laptop. Life was sweet. Although that was almost ten years ago, the lessons learned were simple: don’t discharge the batteries more than 60% and don’t mess with a working electrical system unless you know what you are doing.
Given my own thick head when in comes to all things electrical, I have always considered the prospect of installing a small solar system in my home a bit daunting. I should not have worried.
HARBOR FREIGHT TO THE RESCUE
A few months ago I was contacted by Harbor Freight and asked if I would like to try out one of their Magnum Thunderbolt Solar Kits. This was not the time to be bashful so of course I said yes, as long as they understood there would be little or no sun in the Washington State for a month or two. Having set the stage, I was sent the following items for testing:
So how did it go? The first thing I did was recruit the Survival Husband to do the heavy lifting. Then, together, we decided that we would install the solar kit on the roof of our garage which was angled just right and facing the south. During the summer months, we should get six to seven hour of sun a day in this location.
We also agreed that climbing the roof was a task for someone younger – a lot younger – so until my brother and my electronics wizard nephew come to visit, we set things up on our upper patio and to heck with the patio furniture.
TIPS FOR INSTALLING THE THUNDERBOLT SOLAR KIT
The Thunderbolt solar kit comes complete with three 15 watt solar panels for a total of 45 watts. It also includes all of the parts you will need: a mounting frame, solar charge controller box, cables, battery terminal clamps and even a couple of 12 volt lights that plug directly into the controller box. Everything is included for a ground level installation. On the other hand, a roof top installation will require some brackets – something we have not purchased yet.
The installation was simple. We just followed the instructions in the manual and things worked. Okay, truth be told, Shelly (the Survival Husband) does not always read manuals thoroughly so he put the frame together goofy and had to start over. And then he could not find the power switch on the inverter and thought it was defective. I found it, turned it on and had immediate power.
He did offer up some tips:
When assembling the frame, make sure the top bar marked front actually faces front. Otherwise you cannot install the legs.
There are two sizes of screws with wing nuts. The bag with eight screws are shorter and are the screws to be used when assembling the frame.
When attaching the three panels to the frame, it is easier to attach the middle panel first. Other than that, just follow the instructions.
After completing the frame and panel setup, follow the directions by attaching the 3 leads from the panel to the splitter cable. Add the extension cable and plug into the charge controller. Next attach the battery terminals (on the battery) to the charge controller to confirm that you are receiving voltage from the solar panels. There is a large LED display on the front of the charge controller indicating the voltage so that you will know right away if everything is working okay.
You need to use an inverter to convert the power to AC. In that case, you need to attach the included cables from the inverter to your battery terminals.
The solar charge regulator box itself, without an inverter, has a 12V cigarette lighter socket, 5V USB, 3-6-9V DC outlets and two 12V sockets for the included light kit. Note that the USB port is only 5 volts, okay for cell phones, Kindles and tablets such as an iPad but not for devices or electronics that require higher voltage.
The 12V battery is not waterproof so you will need to keep it covered and protected from the elements.
The Quick Start guide is well laid out and intuitive with accurate, easy to understand diagrams. Plus, all of the manuals are available online so that they will always be handy, even if you lose the originals.
BUT DOES IT WORK?
The first thing I tested was my crock pot. If the grid was down and I wanted to eat but I did not want to build a fire, a working crockpot would be a godsend. It uses just a modest amount of steady power and can be used for soups, stews and even for baking quick breads. I ran the crockpot for quite some time with no problems.
My next test was more challenging – a hair straightening iron. If my hair iron worked, then I not only would look good, but I would be able to re-seal the Mylar bags I opened to get to my stored food items. Again, no problem. From there I moved to lighting and to my alkaline battery charger. Again, everything worked perfectly and I was pleased.
Using the Harbor Freight solar system was almost to easy – definitely a set it and forget it operation although the directions indicate you should not leave a charging battery unattended.
I am not done testing yet. The way these things work is that more batteries equals more amp hours equals more current. Or, in plain English, more battery juice means you can run more stuff for a longer period of time. We plan to add some marine deep cycle batteries and a large watt inverter to the basic set up so we can run more stuff. But for the basics and for now, this system works just fine.
THE FINAL WORD
This Thunderbolt Solar Kit from Harbor Freight is inexpensive if not downright cheap. But do not let the price dissuade you. For lighting, small appliances and laptops, this system works great. It would be even better with a larger battery. You do not need to be an electronics genius to set it up but if you need help, you can find it online, especially at the New World Solar/DIY Solar Energy Forum.
It is my understanding that folks have tied two or three of these systems together for even more power. As good as that sounds, it is beyond our technical capability at this moment but we are learning and just might get to that point.
Our goal for now is the get the complete system installed on the roof and to add some additional batteries, probably the marine deep-cycle type. We will then use the solar to kit to power all of our outdoor security lighting as well as our power tools and and everything else that we have running off of our garage and outdoor receptacles.
This does not apply to us, but I think this would be an ideal backup power source for a well. The price is right and it is oh so easy to install and use which makes it a great starter kit for those wanting to try out solar and see if it is for them.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation! Gaye
If you have not done so already, please be sure to like which is updated every time there is an awesome new article, news byte, or link to a free survival, prepping or homesteading book on Amazon. You can also follow Backdoor Survival on and Google and purchase my book, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage from Amazon.
Bargain Bin: Here are some useful items to have on hand when the power is out.
Ambient Weather Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio: This is becoming a popular choice with Backdoor Survival readers. This unit is a Digital AM/FM NOAA Weather Alert Radio and a powerful 3 LED flashlight, with Smart charger, all in one portable package.
AA and AAA Solar Battery Charger: Another popular item. This unit will charge up to 2 pairs of AA or 1 pair of AAA batteries via USB or solar power.
Chemical Lighting aka Light Sticks: These are inexpensive, portable and easy to use. These come in a number of colors so take your pick.
EcoZoom Versa Rocket Stove: Burning twigs and pinecones, this stove will cook a big pot of rice in under 20 minutes. The stove is solidly built and will burn charcoal as well. There is also a version that only burns biomass for slightly less money.
Coleman Rugged Battery Powered Lantern: This sturdy Coleman has a runtime of up to 28 hours on the low setting and 18 hours on the high setting but does require D cell batteries. Personally, I have both a battery operated and propane lantern. Of course by now you know that I like redundancy with my preps.
Dorcy LED Wireless Motion Sensor Flood Lite: Don’t let the price lead you to think this wireless flood light is wimpy. I have two of these (so far) and feel that these lights are worth double the price.
Bicycle Canasta Games Playing Cards: Heck, you need something to keep yourself entertained!
100 Hour Plus Emergency Candle Clear Mist: My number one choice for emergency candles. This liquid paraffin candle will burn for over 100 hours. t is also odorless and smokeless, making it a great emergency light source that can be extinguished and re-lit as often as needed. Very safe to use.
Coleman Candle Lantern: When the lights go out, there is nothing like a Coleman. They last forever because spare parts are always available. A candle lantern will not give out the bright light of say, a propane or kerosene lantern. On the other hand, candles are likely to be available when other fuels are not.
Although I have plenty of flashlights and batteries (you might even say I have a flashlight fetish) I also stay stocked up with a dozen of these Clear Mist 100 Hour Plus Emergency Candles as well. For the best deal, purchase a dozen at a time to get a discounted price. Be sure to also check out the Clear Globe attachment.
I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here.
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!