Coleman 100w kit at Costco

[TMfor4ofus]

Thoughts on this kit? https://www.costco.com/Coleman-100W-...100349972.html

I realize it looks like a cheap 7a controller but should work as is then if one would want to upgrade with more panels then get a better controller at the same time. $160-$40 discount = $120 net price. Seems like a good starter kit?

[Padgett]

My thought is that I would pay a few dollars more for a monocrystalline panel with standoffs (for air flow under) and a meaningful controller with a numeric display.

Personally I like Renogy but best to wait for a sale.

[rickst29]

Originally Posted by TMfor4ofus

Thoughts on this kit? https://www.costco.com/Coleman-100W-...100349972.html

I realize it looks like a cheap 7a controller but should work as is then if one would want to upgrade with more panels then get a better controller at the same time. $160-$40 discount = $120 net price. Seems like a good starter kit?

A very Poor Starter Kit, IMO. The panel isn't optimal (monocrystalline is better) but the bigger issue is the charge controller: At 13.0V it turns "on"; at 14.2V it turns "off". It might be a two-stage charge controller, or it might be a single-stage Controller: There's no thermocouple "thermometer" lead to protect an overheating battery; and it apparently runs at pretty high power between 13.0V and 14.2V

I wouldn't subject my batteries to this charging scheme, and it doesn't charge batteries very full. With no "float" stage, it probably can't ever charge the batteries above about 80-85%. Since you shouldn't discharge batteries below about 50%, that 15-20% shortfall is about 1/3 of your total usable capacity.

[TMfor4ofus]

Thanks guys, were holding off on that. Just two more trips planned where we'll have electric power so maybe next spring