Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have moderate expectations for anything Solar. Everything depends on the sun and the weather. I ordered this suitcase solar panel to charge the chassis and house batteries in my class-b motorhome when parked at a campsite for an extended duration. The roof of the class-b has very little room available for a solar panel. Besides, I don't have a ladder in my class-b van so it would've been hard to adjust the angle of a solar panel mounted on the roof for maximum effectiveness. Thus, I chose this product. It stores easily under the rear-sofa in a Winnebago ERA 170. The case is neoprene and is useful for covering up the panel in between testing for current and voltage and if you don't want the panels to be "live" for any reason. It is not too awkward or heavy to lift. The stand is quite sturdy and allows various configurations. I agree with the other reviewer that LEDs are too dim and you'll need to be really up close and/or shield the LED with your hand to see what the controller and the panels are doing. The provided cable is long enough to allow for comfortable placement of the panels away from the RV to avoid shade and adjust the position as required. A charge controller is included and it "downconverts" the open circuit voltage to a usable level to recharge 12V batteries without frying them. I tested this item on a bright sunny afternoon while traveling in St. George UT. The multi-meter showed a voltage of 14.4 volts from the charge controller (not the direct open circuit voltage). That voltage is just fine for charging a 12V AGM battery. I was pleased. As I was about to pack up the item and put it back in my camper, I noticed that a wire connection had come loose from the splice where it had been crimped and covered with a heat shrink filament. I couldn't reconnect it to the same crimp but I brought it back home and re-connected it using a butt-splice. Ever since that repair, the item wouldn't put out a voltage greater than 2.8V. I am bummed. Even though there was a loose connection, I am not putting all the blame on the manufacturer. Stuff happens. I returned the panel and ordered another one. I had a choice. I could've gone for the other manufacturer but I didn't see a need to spend $30 more for a cigarette lighter connector when I wasn't going to use it. Moreover, the other product is encased in plastic and most reviews say that the plastic loses shape due to being in the heat and the owners report that they can't put the cables back in the spaces provided and close the lids comfortably. Anyway...I liked the product and its performance enough to order another one. Amazon gave a refund on my return and did its part. When trying these out, look for items fulfilled directly by Amazon...that way you can return the product without a hassle. I did discard the packaging so I had to pay a $20 to find a box large enough to fit the item for return shipping. But that's not Amazon's or Renogy's fault. I think cable connections are a minor repair but one shouldn't have to crimp cables and fix things that the manufacturer ought to be responsible for. I will update the review based on the second shipment and how it performs. I'm hoping all connections are snug from the factory. The company offers $15 to write an amazon review but in the interest of full disclosure, I did not apply for the $15 and don't intend to do so either. UPDATE: I have now used this product all summer long and I am VERY satisfied with it. I'm updating the star rating to 5 based on my continued experience with the RENOGY panel. I have the comfort and security of have a constantly replenished house battery in my Winnebago ERA. I can be carefree when it comes to lights left on in the RV bathroom or a TV left running if I leave for a short hike away from the campsite. I also don't have to constantly monitor my kid's power usage while camping. I know that the solar panel will keep tipping off the battery. The indicators work perfectly and let me know whether the battery is fully charged or is still charging. I have verified the output voltage with a multimeter and this product delivers! I'm happy I bought it and I have no complaints. The case is just right for protecting the panels and I have laid the zipped up case under the Winnebago ERA rear seat quite comfortably during trips. In fact, that is where the case stays without causing any shortage of storage space.