400W Portable Solar Panel - High Voltage Quad Fold AllSpark

5 Year Warranty on Panel

1 Year Warranty on bag

• Charge ONE VEHICLE @ 400w or TWO VEHICLES at the same time at 200W each - configure two lots of 200W using seperate cables
• High efficiency shingle cells - 22.4% efficiency meaning more power for their size compared to other panel brands
• Excellent temperature tolerance - outperforming other glass panels in high temperature conditions
• Heavy duty carry bag - for protection and easy transport
• 4 bypass diodes - for protection against cell damage
• Water proof - IP68 for protection against rain and dust
• Japanese made ETFE laminate - UV stable for 25 years
• 5 Year Manufacturers Warranty

Q: How do I decide between the High Voltage and Low Voltage models?

A: For most 12V setups, the Low Voltage model is the right choice. You only need the High Voltage model if one of these applies to you:

1. You are running a 24V or 48V system, or

2. You need to position the panel a long way from your vehicle (above 5m) and run a long extension lead.

The long-lead benefit is particularly useful for larger caravans and motorhomes, where you can be restricted on where you can park and sometimes have no choice but to park in the shade - the High Voltage model lets you set the panel up 5-15m away in a sunnier spot. (You cannot do this with the Low Voltage model without significantly increasing the cable size.)

Yes, the High Voltage model can absolutely be run on a 12V system - but it is not necessary unless one of the conditions above applies. A common misconception is that the High Voltage model produces more power. In the same conditions it does not, and it can actually produce less if there is even a little shade over part of a panel. This is because the Low Voltage model has its panels connected in parallel, so minor shading on one part of the panel won't drag down the rest of the array the way it does on the High Voltage model. For this reason the Low Voltage model is more shade tolerant.

The model that will suit your setup also depends on the solar controller you intend to use. For the High Voltage model, your solar controller (or DCDC with solar input) needs to accept a minimum input voltage of 45 volts. This value is sometimes listed on your controller's specifications as "Max. PV Open Circuit Voltage" or "Solar Input Voltage". If this value is below 45V, then the Low Voltage panel is the model you would select.

For the MPPT models we recommend, the Tracer 7810CPN MPPT and the Victron 100/30 can both handle the High Voltage panel. The RedArc BCDC range, however, only handles a maximum of 32V, so a Low Voltage model would be needed if paired with this DCDC. The Low Voltage model suits the vast majority of DCDC chargers on the market with MPPT built in - most have maximum solar inputs of around 28-32V, meaning the High Voltage model cannot be used and the Low Voltage model is the correct choice.

Q: Will this panel work with my DCDC? 

A: For the High Voltage model, your DCDC needs to accept a minimum solar input voltage of 45 volts. This value is sometimes listed on your controller's specifications as "Max. PV Open Circuit Voltage" or "Solar Input Voltage". If this value is below 45V, then the Low Voltage panel is the model you would select, if it is below 90V you will not be able to use the optional series connected double adapter. 

Q: How many amps will the 400W Quad Fold Solar Panel produce?

A: In good solar conditions with a quality MPPT controller, expect up to 28A when running all four panels combined into a single 12V battery system. Because the HV model operates at 36.5V, your MPPT controller handles the voltage conversion - so real-world amp output into your battery depends on your controller's efficiency rating as well as sun conditions and panel angle.

Q: Can I actually charge two vehicles at the same time?

A: Yes - the 400W Quad Fold allows you to send half the power to one vehicle, and half to the other. Connect one section to your 4WD's MPPT controller and the other to your caravan's controller simultaneously (NB. both must be able to handle the high voltages). You'll need a second 5m Anderson extension cable (sold separately) and simply unplug the supplied double adaptor to run them as two separate inputs.

Q: Can the High Voltage model be used in a 12V system?

A: Yes, this panel can be used in a 12V system. It is the solar controller or DCDC which determines the voltage sent to your batteries, not the voltage of the panel itself. 

Q: Do I need the optional series double adapter? 

A: The series double adapter is an optional extra. If your solar controller has a minimum input voltage of 100V, then this is an option for you, but it is not crucial. The series double adapter places both sides in series with each other, increasing the overall voltage. Higher voltages lead to an increased overall solar harvest throughout the day in clear, sunny conditions (with no shading). For piece of mind, if you are a heavy power user and need everything out of your panel, the series double adapter is a handy extra to give you a boost when you need it. 

Q: Can I combine this panel with another panel into the same controller?

A: In almost every case, no. When connecting panels together into the same controller, the panels need to be within 1 volt of each other in order to avoid performance issues. This is because your solar controller will treat the panels as a single array, and will reduce all voltages to the lowest voltage panel. So even in full sun, in the middle of the day, your solar harvest will be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, you should never combine portable and fixed panels into the same controller, even if they are within 1 volt of each other. As, again, the controller views both the fixed and portable panels as a single solar array, and this whole array is limited by whatever panel is producing the lowest amount of voltage, so if a roof panel is shaded, or simply significantly reduced if the angle of the sun is such that roof panels are not producing efficiently (as they cannot be angled like a portable panel) your overall solar harvest will be significantly reduced (at best) or even zero (if your roof top panels are in full shade, despite your portable panels being in full sun and angled correctly towards the sun).

Short answer is = each solar array needs its own controller for the best charging performance and longevity of each array.

Q: WIll I get full wattage from my panel at all times?

A: The wattage on solar panels is measured in lab conditions on a light table which produces 1000 watts/m² at 25^oC (these are global standard testing conditions (STC)). The amount of power produced by your solar panel in real-life conditions will be dependent on the amount of solar radiation being received by the panel at any given time, the temperature, air quality, angle of sun etc.

You can check your location's solar radiation values online on a number of websites, one example is over here. In general terms, the amount of solar radiation you are receiving at any given time (as a ratio) is an approximation of how much power you should be receiving from your panel. For example, if the radiation is 750 watts/m² (which is 3/4 of the light table at 1000watts/m²), then you potentially can receive approximately approximately 101.25W out of a 135W panel (3/4 x 135W) at that particular time of the day (assuming your angle to the sun is correct and enivornmental conditions are optimal, ie. there is no shade/cloud, no smoke/haze/pollution, temperature isn't too high (as solar output reduces at higher temperatures) etc). 

Q: Can I use this panel to charge a 48V battery?

A: 48v batteries require end state charging voltage of approx 58.4V for full charge.  to achieve this from solar, you need a panel and MPPT that can provide over 65V from the panel and the MPPT must be capable of charging a 48V battery.  Our AllSpark 400w - high voltage folding solar panel will achieve this requirements.  SImply select the 400w - HV model and purchase the optional 2 into 1 series connected black anderson adaptor to connect the 400w panel all in series.  This will run at approx 72V and when matched with a Victron Smartsolar 100/20 MPPT controller, is a perfect combination for your 48v system.