Product Manual

Warning and Safety Instructions
1. Risk of explosive gases: Working in the vicinity of a lead-acid battery is dangerous.
Batteries generate explosive gases during normal operation. For this reason, it is of
utmost importance that you follow the instructions each time you use the solar panel
charger.
2. Solar panel charger should not be used by persons with reduced physical, sensory
or mental capabilities unless they are supervised by a person responsible for their
safety.
3. Do not charge the non-rechargeable batteries by the solar panel charger. It can
damage the regulator or solar panel charger or harm to operator. Only use the solar
panel charger DC18V for charging standard lead-acid, lithium-polymer, Li-Fe, Gel
and AGM type 12V batteries and USB5V to charge mobile phone, digital camera,
ipad and other 5V devices.
4. Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine. This may
cause the battery to explode.
5. Please keep the junction box out of water, if there is some water in the junction
box, please make sure it’s dry before using. It will be short circuit and burnt the
junction box if there is some water inside. Always clean the blanket after use to keep
cells efficient and at their maximum.
FAQ & Solutions
1. What if my device needs an input current of 1A, will the 2A output damage
it? 2A is only the charging speed. The current output will never exceed the maximum
current output that your device is designed for.
2. How do I check my device’s input current and voltage?
Please refer to your device’s user manual, original charging adapter, or contact the
manufacturer directly to confirm this information.
3.What if our folding solar panel is not charging my device?
a) Please confirm the input current and voltage requirements of your device fall within
the accepted range.
b) Cloudy weather, indirect sunlight may be too weak to power. Try placing the solar
panel in more direct sunlight or wait for the weather to clear.
4. If it is partially cloudy, can I still charge my device with this folding solar
panel?
Yes, but the charging efficiency will be lower, and the charging time will be
prolonged.
5. Can I use this solar panel to charge external batteries or power bank?
Yes, but be sure to place the external battery in the pocket or keep it out of the
sunlight as direct sunlight and over-heat may damage the battery.
How to connect the blanket to your devices
The blanket comes with a supplied anderson cable and a Victron PWM Solar
Controller. The solar controller is normally used when there is no internal controller in
your equipment. ( i.e your car battery, or a secondary battery in a trailer.)
The cable with the red anderson connector, plugs into the Dc output socket on
the blanket terminal box. Before doing so, ensure the blue-ringed Dc adaptor
connector is plugged onto the end of the cable and the other end into the terminal
box on the blanket.
USING WITH THE POWERTOP
The grey anderson connector on the Solar controller is then plugged into the
powertop grey anderson socket or the battery you are intending to charge. The red
anderson socket is plugged into the cable form the blanket with the same. Plugging
the grey connector in first, allows the auto-select function to kick in and determined if
the battery is 12 or 24 volts before the blanket is connected.
PWM SETTINGS
The Victron Solar Controller has a SET button on it for selecting whether you want a
delayed output from Load-Output of the controller. This Load-Output is not normally
used, nor required for the powertop.
If you do wish to use this function, follow the supplied Victron operating manual for
this. Generally the best setting for the Victron controller’s SET button - with the digital
display on the “ L” being the “ Dawn-to-dusk mode ”.
USB DEVICE CHARGING
The blanket’s terminal box also has a 2 amp USB output for charging small devices
like mobile phones or emergency charging. To use this - plug the USB lead into
the terminal box and the other end of the lead into your matching device. Try to
avoid leaving the device unattended, or out in the hot sun for long periods - as heat
damage may occur.
Do not drive over the blanket, leave in wet environments - such as rain or sea water,
or unattended where wind and theft may occur. If wind is likely to be an issue, use
the supplied holes around the edge to tie down or peg the blanket to a secure spot.
CHAIN INPUT (2 X 180W BLANKET)
The blanket terminal box has a chain input socket is for a second blanket. That is
normally used to boost the blanket’s output. Use this chain input only when a bigger
battery bank is required ( above 100 amp hour ). Two 180 watt solar blankets can
be used on the supplied 20 amp Victron PWM Solar Controller and charge any
conventional battery bank up to 200 amp hour without a problem. The controller is
not designed for Lithium battery applications.