Pro-Kit 15W

For real battery charging with enough power to run a vehicle full of small appliances, we recommend the Pro-Kit 15W panel. With 3 times the power of the PRO5W model, you'll get solid battery charging power for a variety of small 12 volt appliance applications. And you can combine as many panels as you wish to increase power as needs grow!

15 Watts rated power at 15 volts operating voltage.

Constant solar charger for larger battery needs.

Weatherproof.

Polycarbonate frame.

Includes one 15W solar panel, 10ft 16-gauge wire, 7 amp battery charge controller, built-in diode for reverse current protection, and battery clamps.

10010 38" x 13" x 1" 965 x 330 x 25 mm 9.2 lbs 4.2 kg

15 Watts

1 Amp@15 Volts Temperature Range

-40°F to 176°F

-40°C to 80°C

5 years @ 80% of output

Charges deep cycle marine batteries; for power independence.

Q1: What is the difference between the BatterySAVER PRO15W and the Pro-Kit 15W?

ICP offers two ways to buy the BatterySAVER PRO15W solar panel:

1) The Pro-Kit 15W (Model #10010) is designed for people who are getting a new installation. This kit contains the PRO15W panel and the 7 Amp Charge Controller.

2) The BatterySAVER PRO15W (Model #10008) is a single panel for people who want to ADD A PANEL to an existing solar system and already have a charge controller or, for individuals who wish to acquire a charge controller separately.

Q2: Do I have to disconnect the panels from the battery when I drive or while I am recharging my battery with my generator?

No, ICP solar panels are designed to be permanently connected to the battery. There is no need to disconnect them when charging the batteries by other means such as AC chargers, or your vehicle's generator or alternator.

Q3: What types of batteries can I recharge?

You can recharge all types of 12 Volt batteries including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries, and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. When using the ICP Solar System to run appliances on a regular basis, we recommend the use of deep cycle marine batteries which are designed to withstand frequent charging and discharging cycles.

Q4: How long will it take to charge a dead battery?

The Pro-Kit 15W will supply the battery with 1 Amp per hour in the sun. Therefore, depending on type of battery and conditions, a battery requiring 30 Amp-hour for full charge would take approximately 30 hours of full sunshine to recharge. If you double the panels (30 Watts) you should expect half the time.

Q5: Can the Pro-Kit 15W drain my battery at night?

No, all ICP solar panels are equipped with a built-in diode, which prevents any reverse current.

Q6: Can the Pro-Kit 15W overcharge my battery?

Yes, that is why it is important to use a charge controller. The charge controller will protect your battery from overcharge. Remember, the ICP Pro-Kit 15W comes with a charge controller, while the BatterySAVER PRO15W does not.

Q7: Can I run my 110 Volt appliances with my solar system?

Yes. You can run your 110 Volts appliances, but you will need an inverter, which will attach to your battery to change the battery's 12 Volt (DC) energy into 110 Volt (AC).

Q8: Can I charge more than one battery at a time with the Pro-Kit 15W?

If attached to a single battery, the Pro-Kit 15W can act as a battery recharger as its full 1 Amp (max) current (power) is applied to that single battery. Depending on the type, age and condition of the battery, the recharge rate will be approximately 1 Amp per hour.

When attached to a bank of 2 or 3, or more batteries, one must take into account that the Pro-Kit 15W will basically only act as a TRICKLE CHARGER as its power is divided into that number of batteries. The theoretical rate of trickle charging would then be 1000mAmp (1 Amp) divided by the number of batteries in the bank. Example: 3 Batteries would each get approx. 333mAmp (1000/3), or 1/3 of an Amp trickle charge.

Q9: Can the wiring be extended?

You can extend the wiring of our solar chargers another 25 feet (for a maximum of 35 feet) using 16-gauge wire, without any significant loss of power.

Q10: Can my panel be left outdoors without protective covering?

Yes. The Pro-Kit 15W panels have been weather protected and can be mounted outdoors. ICP 15 Watt panels are completely weatherproofed and can withstand ½ inch hailstones, up to180°F heat and can operate under 3 inches of snow (on sunny days).

Q11: Can I run an appliance, without a battery, by connecting it directly to my solar panel?

Yes. However, without a battery to store the power, the voltage and current supplied by the solar panel may vary and drop as soon as some clouds pass over, possibly causing your appliance to slow or stop working. Running directly from the solar panel may be perfect for an application that is designed to only work on sunny days, like a solar operated fan. In most cases however, users connect solar panels to 12 Volt batteries, which then provides steady reliable power to the 12 Volt appliances.

In addition, for the appliance to work directly from the panel, it must be designed to operate within the maximum voltage and amperage range of the Pro-Kit 15W. (1 Amp @ 15 Volts max.)

Q12: Can these panels be connected in conjunction with an inverter or converter?

Yes, since these accessories will not interfere with your solar power system.

Q13: Can I mount the solar panel directly to a surface or do I need to use some sort of bracket?

Yes, ICP Solar panels can be installed directly to a flat surface, using the screws provided. Simply secure the panel using the mounting holes at each corner. Should the mounting surface be rubberized, we suggest that you use rubber spacers to create an air gap between the two surfaces (to prevent heat build-up when exposed to high temperature conditions).

Q14: How can I hook several batteries together for a 12 Volt system?

If you wish to have extra 12 Volt capacity, you can create a 12 Volt bank of batteries by hooking up a pair (or more) of batteries together in PARALLEL. The voltage remains the same (12 Volt) while the Amp-hrs capacity increases proportionally to the number of batteries in the bank.

Parallel (12 Volt) Hook-up:

First, connect the batteries together by attaching the POSITIVE battery post of the first battery to the POSITIVE post of the second battery. Similarly, attach the NEGATIVE to NEGATIVE. Remember that this hook-up will add the Amp-hrs capacity of the two batteries. Example: Two 12 Volt 30 Amp-hrs batteries in parallel will give a total 60 Amp-hrs at 12 Volt.

Q15: How can I hook several batteries together for a 24 Volt system?

If you wish to have a 24 Volt system, you can create a 24 Volt bank of batteries by hooking-up two (2) batteries in SERIES. The voltage will double to 24 volts while the amp-hrs capacity of the bank of batteries remains at the same level as one single battery.

Series (24 Volt) Hook-up:

Connect the batteries together by attaching the POSITIVE battery post of the first battery to the NEGATIVE battery post of the second battery. The remaining negative post of the first battery and positive post of the second battery yield a voltage of 24 Volts.

Q16: How can I make the most efficient use of my 12 Volt solar system?

The best way to take full advantage of 12 Volt energy is to use energy efficient 12 Volt (or 24 Volt) appliances. Switching to fluorescent lighting is another tip that will allow you to generate the same amount of light while using significantly less power

Depending on stock levels this could be substituted with comparable 15 Watt Kit with 7 Amp Chage Controller from another Manufacturer of the same or greater quality.