160W (80W+80W) 12V Reinforced narrow semi-flexible dual battery solar charging kit

This high efficiency semi-flexible 160W (80W + 80W) dual battery solar charging kit is perfect for permanent outdoor use to provide free electricity for charging 12V batteries to power various applications, such as in a motorhome, caravan, camper, boat, or for solar lighting systems, off-grid and back up solar power systems.

Solar kit includes:

• 2 x 80W reinforced narrow semi-flexible solar panels with a durable ETFE coating
• 20A 12V dual battery solar charge controller for independent charging of 2 batteries or battery banks (can work with a single battery too)
• A pair of 5m 4.0mm thick single core extension cables with MC4 connectors
• 2 x 5m 4.0mm dual core battery cables with a fuse holder, 10A fuse and 8mm ring terminals
• A pair of T-branch MC4 connectors, for connecting the panels in parallel

2 x 80W Reinforced narrow semi-flexible solar panels:

These reinforced semi-flexible solar panels have a unique 7-layer construction, featuring an embedded sheet of anodised aluminium fully encapsulated within each solar panel. This additional reinforcement offers greater strength and resilience, making them amongst the most robust semi-flexible solar panels available on the market.

In addition to the aluminium reinforcement, the surface of these 80W semi-flexible solar panels is made of strong ETFE material which has a longer service life compared to standard semi-flexible solar panels. As a result, these particular semi-flexible solar panels are extremely hard-wearing and less prone to cracking , delamination and corrosion. The lightly textured coating of these panels creates an anti-reflective surface which allows the panels to absorb a far greater amount of light, thereby increasing efficiency. ETFE material has long been used in applications where durability and high-temperature resistance is required, such as in the Eden Project, Cornwall. You can read more about ETFE and its benefits here.

These panels also feature innovative 5 busbar solar cells, which are more efficient than the 2, 3 or 4 busbar solar cells used in most other solar panels, and are able to extract more power from the same surface area.

The semi-flexible design of these panels makes them ideal for curved roofs and surfaces where bonding is preferable (though the panels can also be fixed by bolts or screws). The panels are also incredibly light (only 3.05kg each) which makes them an ideal option for all vehicle applications. The unique narrow design also make them ideal for applications where space is restricted, or where there are obstructions on the roof. The panels are also highly resistant to salt water environments and it is also possible to walk on the panels, making them the perfect choice for boats and yachts.

The panels are fitted with 2 x 1m of cable with MC4 connectors on the end.

20A Dual battery controller:

The kit includes a 20A 12V/24V dual battery solar charge controller designed to charge and protect two batteries independently, with automatic cut off to prevent over-charging. The controller uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technology which increases charge acceptance and prolongs the life of your batteries. PWM technology can also recover some lost battery capacity

This is a perfect solar controller for a caravan / camper van / boat or another system with two batteries (e.g. engine and leisure battery) or battery banks. You can set the initial charging priority e.g. 80% power to go to the engine battery and 20% to leisure battery. When one of the batteries is fully charged the controller will automatically divert all power to the other battery.

Can the unit work with only one battery? Yes, absolutely! The controller will determine automatically if there's only one battery connected and will pass 100% of charging current to this battery. You can add a second battery later.

The unit has numerous safety functions, including protection against reverse current at night (from the battery back to the solar panel), over charge, short circuit, reverse polarity etc. Other features include various LED indicators, battery type selection (sealed, gel, flooded) and an RJ-45 socket for an optional remote LCD meter with 10m cable.

A built-in temperature sensor allows the controller to optimise the charging process depending on the ambient temperature. If you are planning to position the controller far away from the battery, or if the battery and the controller are exposed to different ambient temperatures, an external remote temperature sensor with 3m cable is recommended for this dual battery solar charge controller. To enable connection to the screw terminals of the controller, the green connector block on the end of the remote temperature sensor cable should be cut off.

The solar charge controller is compatible with sealed, gel and flooded lead acid batteries.

Additional items:

The kit includes 5m positive and negative 4.0mm solar extension leads for connecting the solar panels to the solar charge controller, and a 5m 4.0mm dual core battery cable fitted with a 15A fuse, fuse holder and 8mm ring terminals for use between the solar charge controller and your battery, making the total cable length between the solar panels and the battery 1m + 5m + 5m = 11m.

A pair of T-branch MC4 connectors is also provided, in order to connect these panels in parallel (Click on the Installation tab for further details).

Click on the Details and Specifications tab for more information

 Specifications (per solar panel):

• Peak power: 80W
• Maximum power voltage: 20.2V
• Maximum power current: 3.96A
• Open circuit voltage: 23.9V
• Short circuit current: 4.20A
• Power allowance range: +/- 5%
• Solar Panel Dimensions: 1365 x 350 x 4 mm
• Junction Box Dimensions: 90 x 16 x 16 mm
• Weight: 3.05 kg
• 2 x 1m of high quality single core solar cable (4mm² cross section)
• Male and female MC4 connectors

Charge controller specifications:

• Rated charging current 20A
• Fully automated operation and auto 12/24V selection
• 3 pairs of terminals (input, battery 1, battery 2)
• LEDs to indicate state of charge
• Temperature sensor for temperature compensation of charging (-30mV/C/12V)
• RJ-45 connection point for a remote meter (not included)
• Various protection features (over charge, short circuit, reverse polarity etc)
• Self-consumption: 4mA at night, 10mA when charging
• Working temperature: -35C to +55C
• Terminals for wire up to 4.0mm2
• Size: 15.5 x 7.6 x 4.0 cm
• Weight: 230 g
• Multiple mounting holes for ease of installation

Please note: due to our warehouse arrangements, the solar charge controller and accessories may be shipped from a different warehouse to the solar panels and therefore delivered in a separate package.

The panels are covered by a 1 year repair or replacement warranty provided by Photonic Universe. We will repair or replace defective items at our discretion. The solar controller is covered by a 1 year manufacturer warranty. For more information please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Connection: Please note that it is essential to connect these 2 x 80W narrow panels in parallel (+ to +, - to -), using the T-branch MC4 connectors provided in the kit. Plug the positive (+) leads from both solar panels into the same T-branch adaptor with two "female" input sockets, and both negative (-) leads from the solar panels into the other T-branch adaptor with two "male" input sockets. Then simply plug the two spare solar extension cables into these adaptors and run the cables to the controller, carefully marking the polarity of the extension cables (the cable coming from the two positive leads of the solar panels remains positive).

Fitting: before installing these solar panels, please read the handling and fitting guidelines, available to download in the 'Documents' tab.

The solar charge controller comes with a detailed instruction manual which explains settings and operation (see Documents tab).

The solar charge controller in this kit is not waterproof and should be mounted indoors.

If you need help with installation or have any technical questions we can provide FREE support - please contact us by email or phone (see Contact Us page for more information).

The following documents are available to download:

Technical Drawing of 80W Reinforced Narrow Semi-flexible Solar Panel ARFLXNR-80M

User manual for DB2024 Photonic Universe 20A 12V/24V automatic solar charge controller

Handling and installation manual for Photonic Universe ARFLX semi-flexible solar panels