PAXCESS RV Solar Panel, 120W 18V Review

(Portable Folding Solar Panel with USB QC 3.0)

PAXCESS was established in 2015 as a gardening company until recently they joined the solar panels market. They might be newbies in the solar panels arena, but the company is doing really well and we shall review one of its products today.

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So, are you wondering what a gardening firm knows about tech and solar energy? I was too, at first. Just follow my lead and you will understand.

About PAXCESS RV Solar Panel, 120W 18V

This 120W 18V portable solar panel from PAXCESS is an upgraded version that comes with more power for your RV. It boasts a high energy conversion rate of up to 23% to allow you tap most of the sunlight and convert it into clean solar energy that you use in your off-grid activities. You can also use it on-grid as backup in case of sudden power outages.

PAXCESS understands the need for tilting your solar panels in the direction which they tap most sunlight in the day. As such, the 120W 18V portable solar panel comes with a kickstand that allows you to reposition from flat lying position to the most suitable angle.

When enjoying that vacation or weekend off-grid, you need to connect with the world via social media and share experiences. To make sure your devices never run out of power, these solar panels come equipped with two types of USB output ports: USB QC 3.0 and USB-C. Both offer 2x charging speed for devices such as laptops, lamps, smartphones, MacBook Pro, and more.

The PAXCESS 120W solar panel weighs 11.62 lbs. which makes it very lightweight and is designed with portability in mind. It is foldable, right? Yes, and it also comes with a packing bag that you can store in or pack when travelling for maximum portability.

In terms of compatibility, I found this 120W portable, foldable solar panel from PAXCESS to be excellent. Why? That is because it can work well with most solar generators that you will find out there on the market.

This solar panel is also very versatile! Other than RVs, it is compatible with trailers, boats, campsites, and even campervans. The best thing about it is that it is very quiet so you can concentrate when reading your novel or doing your assignments.

For durability, this solar panel is made from high-grade Oxford cloth, zipper, and PET material that is resistant to high temperatures. It is also waterproof and comes with an in-built TIR-C controller for reliable and safe current which also prevents reverse charging.

Features

One thing that speaks a lot about a product is its features. Just by looking at them, you can tell where it was the value for money or not. So, what does this 120W solar panel have in store?

• Durability – Features high-grade Oxford cloth, zipper, and PET material for resistance from high temperatures. It is also waterproof.
• Warranty – Comes with a 24-months product warranty.
• Hi-Tech Charging – Equipped with two USB charging ports (QC 3.0 & Type C) which offer super-fast charging speeds.
• Compatibility – This solar panel works well with the most generators available on the market. 

Specifications

These are the specs of the PAXCESS 120W portable foldable solar panel:

• Peak Power: 120W
• Open Circuit Voltage: 18V
• Short Circuit Current: 6.6A
• Cell Efficiency: 23%
• USB Output Ports: QC 3.0 24w (max), Type C 18W (max)
• Weight: 11.62 lbs.

How to set it up

Before you set it up, here is a safety precaution: do not set up your PAXCESS Rockman 120W solar panel, make sure the panels are not under the sun. If you have done that, you can go ahead and set up your solar panel.

1. Hook up the battery to the charge controller
2. Connect the charge controller and your solar panel
3. Connect your battery to your inverter and let there be solar power!

Pros:

• Portable & foldable
• Waterproof
• Durable built
• Affordable
• Easy to install
• Rubber has TPE material

Cons:

• No bypass diode

Rating on Value for Money

We all value our hard-earned money and cannot just invest it in any asset. I think of a portable solar panel as an investment. The Rockman 180W 18V foldable solar panel costs $199.99 on PAXCESS.

This price tag is reasonable given the abilities it comes with, from high efficient charging to compatibility, upgrade charging tech, and more. It scores 9/10 rating on value for money.

Rating on Charge Interruption Recovery

During off-grid voyages, it is likely that you will find yourself in the thickets where there is low sunlight or in areas with shades here and then. That interrupts the charging cycle but it depends on how long the obstacles are.

That is where charge interruption recovery comes in. Unfortunately, PAXCESS 120W foldable charger does not include bypass diodes to reduce power drop. It worked well, but the feature could be a saving grace if included. It scored 6/10 rating on charge interruption recovery.

Rating on Charging Speed

Solar charge speed varies and heavily depends on several factors, including solar panels angle of elevation, the sun’s position, and temperature. The best thing with the Rockman 120W foldable solar panel is that it comes with 1 quick charge (QC) USB 3.0 and 1 USB-C which have 2x charging speed.

It charged my iPhone 11 Pro in 30 minutes from 0 to 50%, thus scoring a 9/10 rating on charging speed.

Rating on Multiple Device Charging

This solar panel has the ability to charge two devices at the same time using the USB-C output port and the QC USB 3.0. At the mention of QC (quick charge) port, you know what that means, right?

Anyway, I was able to charge my iPhone 11 Pro and a friend’s simultaneously and they charged 50% and 48%, respectively. We gave it a 9/10 rating on multiple devices.

Rating on Durability

The PAXCESS 100W foldable solar panel is built to last with high-quality Oxford cloth, PET material which is high-temperature resistant, and zipper. That is robust, right? I know! The handle features TPE rubber material plus in-built TIR-C controller to prevent reverse charging.

That and being waterproof gave the solar panel an impressive 9/10 rating on durability score.

Rating on Weight and Portability

This foldable solar panel weighs just 11.2 lbs. which makes it lightweight and can be folded and carried like a briefcase for portability. As such, it attained a 9/10 rating on weight and portability score.

Wrap-Up

If you are looking to harness the power of solar energy to your RV, I would recommend the PAXCESS 120W 18V portable foldable solar panel. It offers an incredible solution to your off-grid power needs with assurance for durability, comfort, and safety.