Power in a Case: Testing Our New Portable Solar Kit
Our team at Red Hill Mobility Group is always exploring new ways to innovate and enhance our current lineup of solar products based on end-user feedback. Currently, we offer a portable kit that provides fifty watts and two amps of solar power in a compact, easy-to-carry package, which has been very useful for various applications. However, despite the convenience of our current portable kit, we have received many requests for a product that delivers twice the power in a similarly sized, portable, suitcase-style bag.
Using the 100-Watt 12 Volt M100 Panther, we identified an opportunity to develop a proof-of-concept prototype. This is a compact, portable, and powerful solar system that can be set up in minutes using an easy-to-connect NATO Receptacle Connector. By linking two M100 Panthers in series, we can deliver up to 200 Watts, 44-48 volts, and 8.33 amps, suitable for any 24-volt military system with a NATO receptacle. Equipped with an MPPT 10 Amp Charge Controller, the system maximizes energy transfer from six solar panels to charge batteries or extend equipment operational time without engaging the alternator. Additionally, a Conditioner (Desulfator) integrated into the Charge Controller not only supplies substantial solar power but also desulfates lead-acid batteries once they reach a voltage of over 26.2 volts. This makes it an easy task for this compact yet more powerful solar system, which has four times the capacity of our current portable kit.
The entire system fits into these two compact, easy-to-use cases. This allows for easy movement, quick setup, maximizes storage space thanks to its small size, and keeps them discreet when stored or deployed. Finally, as previously mentioned, instead of connecting directly to the batteries, the whole kit connects to any military equipment with a NATO plug, providing high versatility across multiple platforms.
The “Panther 100 x 2 prototype” is heading to its first unit for real-world use and stress testing. The goal: deliver powerful performance in a small, portable design that operators can rely on in the field.