Hey everyone! I'm curious about the Noma 100W solar panels. I snagged one a few years back at Canadian Tire for 60% off, and it came with a basic PWM controller. I've noticed they're on sale again, and I'm pondering picking up another one, maybe even upgrading the controller. I use these panels on my RV, and they work great powering my two 12V deep cycle batteries. I rely mostly on LED lights, so my power needs are pretty low. We primarily backcountry camp, avoiding campgrounds, and the single panel has been sufficient for 7-10 days. I'm also considering adding an inverter to run Starlink for a couple of hours daily without needing a generator. Any thoughts on the panel's quality or advice on the inverter situation?
2 Answers
If you're planning to get a second 100W Noma panel, I'd recommend upgrading the charge controller as well, especially if you want to connect both panels together. You can definitely use an SAE Y-connector to join them, but make sure your controller can handle the extra power. It's worth investing in a better controller for efficiency!
You might not even need an inverter for Starlink! It operates at around 48V DC, so you could look into a DC step-up transformer to avoid the inverter entirely. As for the Noma panels, they're a solid deal in terms of watts per dollar, making them a great choice from Canadian Tire, whether it's Noma or Coleman.