ALLPOWERS AP-SP-033 Portable and Foldable Solar Panel User Manual
- June 3, 2024
- ALLPOWERS
Table of Contents
Portable and foldable Solar Panel
Model: AP-SP-033 User Manual
Thank you for purchasing our fold-and-go solar suitcase which offers the power
from sun for most portable power stations on the market.The flexible design
allow you to simply place it on the ground or mount it to any irregular
surface like tents/roof of vehicles.
Teaming up with solar controller/regulator, rechargeable batteries together,
this kit also can provide an excellent choice for 5-12V DC applications that
require pollution-free, clean and silent power.
General Safety
Read this instruction manual to fully understand the function of this product before using, in particular you should follow this important General Safety Information, improper operation may cause product failure and in serious cases may cause safety issue.
- There are no serviceable parts for this solar kit, do not attempt to disassemble or modify it in any way.
- Faulty connections can result in electrical shock, please check and make sure that all locking connectors are fully fastened and locked.
- Do not carry this whole kit by carrying through the wires from this solar kit.
- Do not step, walk, stand, or jump on any solar panel. Load heavy/sharp objects may cause variances of micro-cracks on the cells which will lead to danger/damage eventually.
- Solar panels are not bendable, please handle them carefully, and avoid hitting them with sharp objects or knocking heavily on them.
- It is normal that solar panel get hotter during working hours and please store them with the box after cool down.
- The installation location of solar kit, charger controller/regulator, and batteries must be inaccessible to children, build a children enclosure if needed.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Peak Power: 200W ± 5%
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 22.2V Short Circuit Current (IOC): 12 A
Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp): 18 V Maximum Power Current (Imp): 11A
Solar Energy Conversion Rate: 19%-22%
Operating Temperature: -20 ~ 60 ℃/ -4 ~140 ℉
All technical data at standard test condition: E=1000W/m² TC=25℃ AM=1.5
Size: 2230 x 650 mm(87.8 x 25.6 in) / 650 x 515 mm(25.6 x 20.3 in)
Weight: 6.3 kg / 13.9 lb
Part List
| MC4 to DC5521 connector + 5 charging adapters Used for connecting solar kit
to most common Portable Station or Laptop
---|---
| MC4 to Anderson connectors Used for connecting solar kit to ALLPOWERS
Portable Station series
| MC4 to Alligator Clips with fuse Used for connecting solar kit to car
battery
How it works
Solar Rays:
- Place this solar kit in sunlight directly and angle it at 30-60 degrees from flat which will harvest the most sun energy a day.
- All panels should face the sun, and not be blocked by shadows.
Steps for Connection
MAKE SURE the FRONT SIDE of panel is covered before charging, otherwise it may damage the related electrical equipment.
-
Location
Locate the solar kit to an area where it will receive the most possible sunlight, the location should allow the panel to be protected from accidental damage.(* Nearby tree or tall plants will drop debris, requiring the panel to be cleaned more frequently.) -
Cover your panel before set up
Before the setup, please cover your solar panel with an opaque cover such as a blanket or simply fold it up, then tilt this kit to the desired angel with the 4 adjustable brackets and connect the wire from solar kit to your power station/laptop（Make sue all wires are matched with the correct polarity, “+” for positive/“-” for negative.） -
Settle your applications in a cool palce when charging
Secure all connections of wires and connectors, then settle your applications in a weatherproof enclosure with proper ventilation. It will autocratically stop the charging once your application’s battery is full.
Tips:
- Turn off the laptop to save the power loss and shorten the charging time.
- You may need to prepare extra connector for laptop charging, most laptop connectors could be found easily online.Please choose certificated cables/ connectors as non-branded ones might bring up to 50% power loss.
Other Uses:
Charge the 12V car battery directly with battery alligator clips
Attention! Be sure all polarities are wired correctly, “+” for positive/“-” for negative.
- In the emergency case that we meet a starting problem, we suggest to charge the battery with this kit for 2-3 hours only, for longer charging, please add a solar regulator, otherwise, the batteries will be damaged from overcharging without regulation .
- Disconnect the clip-on cable from your car battery before starting the engine as electrical surge from car engine may damage the solar charger.
Charging for DC devices including USB-Powered application such as portable external battery pack, car on-boarded device like car fridge, 12V LED light, etc.
The controller must wire as close as possible to battery, thus to avoid voltage dropping caused by over long wires.
- An appropriate solar controller/regulator （Recommended ALLPOWERS PWM 20/30A solar controller） must be placed between the solar kit and your battery, connect all components according to controller/regulator’s instructions.
- High power electrical system(12V battery group) pose dangers and it is the user’s responsibility to be familiar with these dangers and take any necessary action to ensure safe use.
MC4 Connectors
- Keep connectors dry and clean, and ensure that connector caps are handed tight before connecting the panel.
- Do not try to make an electrical connection with wet, soiled, or faulty connectors.
- For longer service life, please avoid sunlight exposure and water immersion and avoid connectors resting on the ground or roof surface.
- Please check all electrical connections at least once every 6 months. Make sure that all locking connectors are fully fastened and locked.
Parallel Connection
This case is equipped with two stranded, PV-rated, output MC4 cables ( wire
size:
AWG#13）which can carry up to 20 A current. The positive connector is a male
connector and the negative connector is a female connector, these wires by
themselves are rated for series connections, and could be adapted to hold
parallel connection with extra MC4 branch Y connectors.
- Only panels with similar electrical output could be connected in the same string to avoid mismatch effects.
- Voltages are additive when panels are connected directly in series, and the currents are additive when panels are connected directly in parallel.
FAQ
Q1: What kind of battery can be recharged with this kit?****
– ALLPOWERS portable power stations series
– Third-party power stations as long as they(voltage in:12-36V, current in:10A
Max.)comply with the specifications of this solar kit.
– Deep cycle batteries, including lead-acid batteries(sealed, flooded, gel) or
lithium batteries.
Q2. What service life does this solar charger have and how long ?****
– Our solar kit is made from solid state, thin-film solar cell and these solar cells are physical batteries which is recyclable, different from chemistry one which have a limited cycle life because of the lamination of battery material itself, even after five years of use and marital aging, solar panel can still achieve more than 80% of its rated power.
Q3. Is there any risk that the solar kit will over charge my battery?****
– One of the functions of the PWM solar charge controller(not included) is to ensure that your battery is not over charged; therefore there is no risk of overcharge.
Q4. Can l extend those provided cables included?****
– Yes,it’s possible- please choose the same size of cable(AWG#13, 25 feet long
or less) for extension.
– However, the longer the extension, the greater the line loss.
Q5. Do I need to clean the solar panels?****
– Yes, it is recommended for better performance. Dust and dirt should first be swept off the panel surface using a soft brush. When the sweeping is complete, use a wet cloth to wipe the panel surface to remove remaining dirt and grime.
Q6. Can rain damage the solar kit?****
– Rain drop is OK as it is protected with rugged polyester canvas which is same as the coating on most outdoor backpack, so to maximize its lifespan, it should not get wet.
Contact Us
We have 18 months warranty on this product, if you have any concern regarding our products or services, please email us to support@allpowers.net, we will feedback with our assistance within 1 working day. website: www.iallpowers.com
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>