PAXCESS RM120 120 Watt 18 Volt Portable Outdoor Folding Solar Panel with Type C USB Output and Kickstand for RV Camping Solar Power Generator Station

A battery generator and solar panel combination makes for GREAT survival/emergency/camping gear. However, not all solar panels are made the same way. Solar technology has improved a LOT over the past decade and prices vary. So, how do you choose a solar panel? In my opinion, solar conversion efficiency and lifespan should be high under consideration. Let's take a look at how the Paxcess 120W solar panel performed in my testing.PROS- Good charging efficiency. Most panels should expect between 50-75% charging of the stated wattage--- In my testing on a sunny, California fall day, I got about 68W. This is a respectable amount considering that the sun is weaker during the spring than summer.--- Panels are mono-crystalline and are currently the most efficient of technologies among consumer solar charging- Foldable design makes the panel portable, easy to stow, and protected from dust- Built-in kickstand to help prop the panel towards the sun at a 45 degree angle for better sun exposure- Can charge battery-based generators with up to 18V/6.6A input- 2 built-in USB charging ports (USB-C and a QuickCharge 3.0)- Cable with adapter plugs included (and can be stored in the built-in, zippered pouch)-- Can be used to charge battery stations from various brands, including: Paxcess, Rockpals, Suaoki, Jackery--- Even though Goal Zero and Jackery use an 8mm connector, they are not interchangeable because of the varying, exposed lengths between both companies--- Product photo shows the 8mm connector working with both Jackery and Goal Zero, but that is partially incorrect as stated above- Though not stated, likely has IPX3 water resistance for outdoor use. See TIPS section for more info- Rubber handle on one end allows the panel to be hung to an object, such as a tree--- 2 corner holes allow the panel to be strapped with rope and/or carabiners- LED light indicates whether the panels are charging- Priced much lower than Goal Zero, but in line with other brands- Circuitry to prevent against reverse charging, overloading, and moreCONS- Large (but not too heavy) at about 10 lbs and a folded 21" x 14" x 1", though this is equivalent to other panels of this capacity- No built-in battery to store some of the charge generated by the panel- Can be considered expensive for casual campers/hikers- 1-year warrantyTIPS/NOTES- Solar lifespan: Panels generally die/become inefficient between 25-30 years- Solar panels work best outdoor under full, exposed sun--- Although they will work under the shade or behind windows, charging efficiency is greatly diminished--- Panels will STILL charge under cloudy conditions. So, keep the panels out even if you do not see the sun- ALL panels must be uncovered to generate a charge--- Do not completely cover one or more panels or the charging will stop- To maintain solar efficiency, the panels should be kept clean--- Remove dust with a soft brush and wipe with a damp (NOT wet) cloth--- Any residue, such as tree sap, should be removed as soon as possible- Keep the charging controller dry. It is NOT water resistant!--- Keep it away from wet areas or outdoors--- Mount to a fixture with the cables facing down--- Should be as close to the batteries as possible, but keep it 14" away--- Should have a 4" clearance in ALL directions (top, bottom, sides) to ensure adequate air circulation- Though it is not stated, the panels are likely IPX3 water rated: Capable of taking water sprays of up to 60 degree angles or less--- Keep panel away from water that spray at greater than 60 degree angles--- Keep panel away from low-pressure (or stronger) water jet spray--- Do not submerge the panel under water--- Panels will work longer if they are kept away from water altogether- Operating temperature range: -4F to 122F (-20C to 50C)- Do NOT bend the panels more than 30 degrees or risk breaking them!- Keep the panels away from fires and heaters- Do NOT disconnect any cables while the battery station or solar panel is on. Fold closed the panels first (to cut off solar charging) before disconnecting the cableCHARGING TIME- To calculate how much Wattage a device uses: Voltage x Amperage--- For example, if a vacuum is 120V and 9.5A, its Wattage is 1,140W (120 x 9.5)- To calculate how long a 100W battery bank or generator would need to charge via solar panel: 100 W / (Panel Wattage x [0.5 or 0.75])--- In a perfect lab environment, solar panels charge at the indicated wattage (ie. 80 W). Outdoors, expect to only receive 50-75% on a good, sunny day (ie. 40 W – 60 W)--- For example, if a solar panel is rated for 80W, it could take as fast as 1.67 hours [100 W / (80 W x 0.75)] to charge, depending on environmental conditions and the panel's ageOverall, the Paxcess 120W solar panel is expected to charge decently well, but I am unfortunately not able to fully push them to the limit because it is fall/winter time. In the summer, I expect the panels to provide as much as 100W of output to a battery station capable of accepting that capacity. With a thoughtful design, features, and additional accessories, the Paxcess 120W is a decent buy.

Updated Review:I am updating my review from 3 to 4 stars. This is due to additional comparison's to other panels and additional testing/usage. In addition, we approach summer, the output is increasing a bit more.I have a RockPals 100 watt panel. The Rockpals panels are same size with 4 panels as well. The output of the Rockpals is about 5-10 watts less then this Paxcess. The Rockpals also cost more money. The best thing about the Rockpals are the number of connectors and I can run it in parallel or serial with other panels.Original Review:I used this to charge my 300 watt solar generator/battery pack. I have been able to charge solar generator/battery pack at 110 watt input using both USB C (~40 W) and AC adapter (~62 W). Using both the barrel plug and USB C, I was able to get about 72 W max. That is only 60% of the rated/advertise power output. I was expecting around 80-85W in direct sun from a 120 W portal panel. This should be rated, at best, 100W.I am not giving it a 5 star because I think it should be advertise as 100 W and not 120 W.Pros:- Like the fact that it has most of the common connectors but not as much as others.- Has USB C charging (18W max)- 19V output, most others are 13 V or soCons:- Missing a few connectors such as alligator or 12V cigarette plug- Can't connect in serial or parallel, no standard solar plugs (MC4)- 40% lost based on 120 W rating- little on the heavy side given that it is primarily used for camping- USB C is only 18W max (1.3A@24V, 2A@9V, 3.6A@5V)- Others generate about same output w/ 100W rating, lighter, more connectors, but more expensive.

I purchased this 120W solar panel to charge a small 300Wh LifePo4 power station. Since then, I've purchased two higher rated power stations (one 500Wh the other one 600Wh) and an additional 60W solar panel from a different company called POWOXI to compare. When I first connected this solar panel to the 300Wh power station I noticed that it charged at a rate of about 60W. The AC adapter charger that had come with the power station only charged at 45W so it was a marked improvement over that and I suspected the 60W limit cap was because of the power station, not this solar panel. After receiving my 600W power station that came wit a 96W charger, I plugged this in and saw it charge at a rate of 77W under full sun, so that's much better than the 60-62W I kept getting on the smaller power station unit, but well below the 120W rating. To do a comparison test, I plugged in my 60W solar panel into my 600W power station and I'm getting about 50W under full sun. I'm thinking of purchasing their 100W solar panel because it looks like it may be more efficient than this one. Their 60W panel is much lighter, compact and efficient. Their 100W panel can output around 88W, according to some of the reviews, so for my third panel I'll buy that instead. Overall, I'm not impressed with this, does the job OK, but the other brand seems lighter, more efficient and comes with a lot more plugs and adapters so I can connect it to other devices. The price on their 100W panel is about $10 less than this unit. The image shows how much smaller the 60W panel is when stacked next to each other.