When it comes to designing an effective solar power system for truck campers and vans, the best approach is to employ what we call a “split configuration,” consisting of both roof-top solar panels and portable solar panels. Why? Because most truck campers and vans lack the roof-top real estate for large numbers of solar panels. Throw in a roof-top air conditioner, a couple of roof-top vents, and a skylight and the square-footage on top of these rigs is even less. Obviously, no such restrictions exist for portable solar panels. The number of portable arrays that can be deployed is theoretically unlimited. In this article, we review Battle Born’s new 200 watt portable solar panel and make a case why this lightweight portable solar panel might be the best in the market.
Truth be told, we prefer roof-top solar panels. Once they’re installed there’s not a lot that you have to do maintain them, just the occasional inspection and cleaning. The theft of roof-top panels isn’t a concern either. But portable solar panels have their benefits too. Unlike roof-top solar panels, portable panels can be both tilted and aimed directly at the sun to maximize amp output. This is a huge benefit, especially during the winter when the sun tracks lower in the southern sky. Not only that, but portable arrays can easily be moved to avoid shading from nearby trees and objects. For roof-top arrays, you would have to move your entire rig to get out of the shade.
Of course, roof-top solar panels aren’t always an option. There’s plenty of real-estate on our 2025 Kingstar KRUZR 8—enough for eight 100 watt solar panels—but that isn’t the case for our classic, 1967 Avion C10 that we are restoring. For one, the Avion’s roof is rounded, plus there are two large vents up there. Moreover, the rounded, aluminum roof limits the amount of roof-top space even more. We may eventually mount a single 200 watt solar panel up there using VHB tape, but that’s it. A simpler approach using a 200 watt portable made even more sense, especially in light of the camper’s classic, retro lines that we didn’t want to mar with roof-top panels. This is why we opted to go with a large portable solar panel and the one we chose was Battle Born’s brand-new 200 watt model. The official model number is BBPV-12-200FLD.
Battle Born 200 watt portable specs
First things first. Battle Born’s new 200 watt portable panel is light. It weighs only 19.6 pounds. If you’ve ever used a rigid portable you know heavy those things can be. Imagine how heavy one of those would be if it was a 200 watt model? Yikes! How does Battle Born make it so light? By using flexible solar cells, backed by a PCB and fabric backing. The flexible solar cells themselves are covered with a fluorine-based plastic polymer, making them durable. Better yet, Battle Born’s monocrystalline cells deliver a 22.5 percent efficiency rating, among the best. The only thing needed to put this portable solar panel to work is a small 15 or 20 amp solar charge controller. A simple PWM controller, like Renogy’s 20 Amp Voyager, can be purchased for $54.
Battle Born’s new 200 watt portable solar array is attractive and easy to store. The portable packs down to 23.3 x 23.1 x 3.2 inches and expands to a full 88 x 23.1 x 1 inches. The backing is a durable, dark grey fabric and features a large, zippered pocket where the MC4 connectors and adapter cord can be stored. Not only does it feature three kickstands to keep the panel deployed, but also four grommets to keep the panel secure while in use. Latching for transport and storage is accomplished quickly and easily through the use magnets, which are built-in to the blue-colored handle located at the top, and two snaps at the bottom to keep the portable together during transport. The unit is backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty. The BBPV-12-200FLD lists for $299 on Battle Born’s website.
One thing that makes Battle Born’s 200 watt portable solar array even better is that it’s adaptable. It comes with practically all of the connectors and adapters that you could possibly need to use it. Many panels sold in today’s market come with only MC4 connectors. But not Battle Born’s new 200 watt portable. This unit comes not only with MC4 male and female connectors on the input side, but also an adapter cable with four connector options on the output: Anderson Powerpole, DC5521 male, XT60 female, and a DC7909 male. This makes the portable panel compatible with almost anything including portable power units, including those made by Jackery and Bluetti. The only type of connector it lacks is the standard SAE, but this can easily be purchased online. We purchased a 10 foot-long solar panel extension with MC4 connectors on one end and an SAE connector on the other for on Amazon.com for $25.
How it performed?
The 12 volt system in our 1967 Avion C10 was upgraded from a single 100 amp hour lead acid battery to a lithium battery setup consisting of three Battle Born 100 amp hour batteries. For the time being, we are using a Zamp 15 amp PWM solar charge controller. At some point, we might mount a 200 watt solar panel on the roof, and upgrade the controller, but for now we’re content using Battle Born’s 200 watt portable. Who knows? We may forego adding a roof-top panel and buy just another Battle Born 200 watt portable instead.
Battle Born’s 200 watt portable solar panel is rated for a peak output of 11.7 amps. Did we ever achieve this in use? Not quite, but this was in February here in Arizona when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. On a recent bright, sunny day we noted an input of 11.2 amps once, but most of the time the panel harvested between 10 and 11 amps, not bad. If this portable can achieve these lofty numbers in winter, you know it can hit the 11.7 amp peak, if not more, in summer.
Are there any issues with the Battle Born 200 watt portable? Just one, though it’s pretty minor. While we are thrilled with the unit’s portability and performance, the unit’s nearly 20-pound, lightweight construction does make it prone to be moved or blown over by powerful gusts of wind. We rarely had that happen with the much heavier rigid portable solar panels that we used in the past, but that’s something that we can live with, using this exceptionally lightweight portable.
The Verdict
We highly recommend the Battle Born’s new 200 watt portable solar panel. Whether you’re powering a truck camper, boat, or portable solar generator, this powerful, little solar panel will do the trick. Indeed, the unit is so-well engineered and easy to use that every van and truck camper owner with lithium batteries should own one. The MC4 adapter cord allows quick plug-and-play connection to most 12 volt systems, while its compact folded size makes transport convenient. Yes, it’s slightly heavier than the competition, but it’s also more durable. About the only negative is the cost, which is a good $100 more than the competition, but we’d rather go with a trusted name like Battle Born than going with a cheap import. Like we always say, you get what you pay for. What would we rate the Battle Born 200 watt portable solar panel? With a rating between 1 to 5 stars with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, we enthusiastically give this product a rating of 4.5 stars. It’s a winner.
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