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How to Set Up and Use Your TentBox Solar Panel
The TentBox 100W Solar Panel keeps your essential devices charged on the road, without relying on mains power. It's lightweight, folds down small, and sets up in seconds, making it super convenient for both quick weekends away and longer trips.
This guide walks you through unpacking, setting up, connecting, and packing away your Solar Panel.
What's included
• Solar Panel
• DC Adapter
• Daisy Chain Adapter
• Bag
• Suction cups
Before you start
• Find a flat, open spot with direct, unobstructed sunlight – shade, cloud cover, or nearby trees and buildings will reduce charging speed.
• The panel is weather resistant and protected against dust and light rain, but it's not designed to be left out in heavy rain or submerged.
• Have your PowerStation or USB device ready nearby so you can connect the panel as soon as it's unfolded.
Step-by-step setup
1. Unpack the panel. Remove the Solar Panel from its bag and lay it out on a flat surface. Check you have the DC Adapter, Daisy Chain Adapter, and suction cups to hand.
2. Unfold the panel. Open out the panel fully. Unfolded, it measures 1365 × 458 × 40mm – long enough to catch plenty of sun while still being easy for one person to carry and position.
3. Deploy the kickstands. Use the integrated kickstands on the back of the panel to prop it up. Adjust the angle so the panel faces the sun as directly as possible – this is the biggest factor in how fast it charges.
4. Position toward the sun. Move the panel so it sits square-on to the sun. Re-check the angle every hour or so, because your ideal angle will shift throughout the day as the sun moves.
5. Connect your device.
• For a PowerStation: you can either use the Anderson connection on the PowerStation L & XL models, or you can connect by using the DC Adapter for plug-and-play charging across all TentBox PowerStation models.
• For phones, cameras, or other small electronics: use the direct USB outputs to charge devices straight from the panel, without needing a separate battery unit.
6. Daisy chain for extra power (optional). If you're using a TentBox PowerStation XL, you can connect a second Solar Panel using the Daisy Chain Adapter. Running two panels together doubles your charging power.
7. Using the suction cups. Use the suction cups to fix the panel in place on a suitable smooth surface (such as a car window or roof) if you want to keep it steady in windy conditions or free up ground space.
Packing away
1. Disconnect all cables from your PowerStation or devices first.
2. Fold the kickstands back flat against the panel.
3. Fold the panel down to its compact size.
4. Pack the DC Adapter, Daisy Chain Adapter, and suction cups into the zip bag along with the panel.
Tips for best performance
• Reposition regularly: Even a well-angled panel loses efficiency as the sun moves – check back every hour if you can.
• Keep it clean: Dust or debris on the panel surface will reduce charging efficiency; wipe it down before use if it's been in storage.
• Cloudy days still work: The panel's monocrystalline cells and ETFE-laminate construction are built for consistent performance even when it's overcast, just expect slower charging.
• Don't force the fold: Fold and unfold gently along the existing seams to protect the panel long-term.
Care and storage
• Store the panel folded, in its bag, when not in use.
• Avoid leaving it in prolonged heavy rain or fully submerging it – it's rated for dust and light rain only.
• Keep cables and adapters coiled and stored in the bag to avoid damage in transit.
Need help?
If you have any further questions about your Solar Panel, get in touch with our team of Product Specialists – we're here to help.
• Contact us – tentbox.com/pages/contact-us
• Help & Guides – tentbox.com/blogs/help-and-guides
• FAQs – tentbox.com/pages/faqs
You must always follow the TentBox User Guidelines when installing and using your Solar Panel and TentBox products.
