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This review is for the Goal Zero Nomad 27 solar panels Goal0 12201 Nomad 27M Solar Panel.
I bought these solar panels to use on a backwoods trip to keep the Sherpa 120 battery Goal0 11102 Sherpa 120 Battery charged that I used to run a CPAP machine while I sleep. Since this would be running a medical device, I felt it was important to know I could trust the system.
I carefully measured (using a Kill-a-Watt) the power my CPAP was consuming and knew that in good conditions the battery as found in the Sherpa 120 should last nearly 3 nights, so the solar panels wouldn't need to fully charge the system in a single day. I have also measured the CPAP using (using a Watts-Up) when running directly from 12v and it consumes about 30 watts a night (vs 37watts a night on 120v).
In field testing and subsequent follow up this is how I would rate the solar panels. These panels delivered the full 27 watts and worked well, actually charging my system quicker than I had anticipated. When solar charging the Sherpa 120 battery it takes longer than it does to charge from Grid power. To get the most from your solar panels, you'll need to adjust the panels to face the sun 2-3 times in a day. This was especially important for me when we were in a forest and the sun moving through the day changes where you need to be to get them in the sunlight. I was able to top off my system in a full day of Arizona sun using the Nomad 27 solar panels.
The panels fold up nicely which allows storage during transit and backpacking. On boating and a recent canoe trip, I packed the panels and battery in a Coleman dry bag for safety from the water. Coleman 29x13 Dry Gear Bag
The system is nicely rugged and in my case even blew over and down some rocks with no damage. I bought the available silicone sleeve for the battery which is a nice way to protect your investment. Use tent stakes in the provided grommet holes to keep things from blowing around. Focus on using 12v loads directly and make sure you are running your necessary equipment as efficiently as possible to maximize your run times. If you can get away without using an inverter, all of your devices will run longer from a fixed battery capacity, plus your weight will be physically lighter.
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