We Care Solar Solar Suitcase User manual

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
Welcome to
The Solar Suitcase
INSIDE THIS MANUAL
About The Solar Suitcase
Understanding The Solar Suitcase
The Charge Controller
Batteries, Panels and Lights
Getting Started
Usage and Charging
Helpful Hints

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
About The Solar Suitcase
The Solar Suitcase Includes:
2!"#$%&&#'()%*#+%,-).#
2/*012&3#4511-6#789#7%:;.
1<!#=()&#'-%)-6#/%&&-*>
1?(:-*5,#@%A)-#B(*#+%,-).
Optional Accessories:
2## 789#2-%6)%:;.
12##4-C2%*1-%A)-#DDD#/%&&-*0-.
1## DDEDDD#/%&&-*>#@2%*1-*#
1## F,0G-*.%)#@-))#+2(,-#@2%*1-*!
1## F'/#D6%;&-*
1## H-&%)#9(;;)-*
1## '%&-))0&-#/(I
The Solar Suitcase is an easy-to-use 12V DC solar electric system that provides highly ef-

phones, laptop computers and other appliances.

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
Understanding The Solar Suitcase
Main Power Switch
Charge Controller
Lamp Connectors
Lamp Switches
Appliance Switch
Dual Binding Posts
Appliance Connectors
Battery Connector
Battery Wire
External Battery Connector
Solar Connector
Satellite Box Connector
The Solar Suitcase connects external solar panels to a Charge Controller 
the charge being stored in a battery. The energy stored in the battery can be used via a set of
Lamp Connectors or a set of Appliance Connectors
1 7
2 8
3 9
4 10
10
511
11
6 12
12
1
8
23
4
5
7
6
9

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
The Charge Controller
The Charge Controller 

more about the Charge Controller, voltage and amperage, see the Advanced Manual.
The screen 
information displays. Each display is indicated
by a label to the right of the screen. A small red
light appears next to the label of the information
being displayed on the screen.
“BATTERY VOLTS”- Indicates the voltage of
the battery. When the sun is out this can read
as high as 14.2 Volts.
“SOLAR AMPS”-
age is entering battery from the solar panel.
“LOAD AMPS”-
age is used by every appliance plugged in.
Digital Display
Solar Charging Indicator
FULL
full. A continuous light indicates the battery

HALF-FULL
full or less.
LOW 
Charge Controller
turn off all loads. A continuous light indi-
cates the charge controller has turned off

disconnect” The Charge Controller
reconnect the battery to the loads once


the level of charge in the battery.
Status Lights
Battery Type Selector
The selector must be on “2-SEALED”for all
sealed lead acid and AGM batteries like the kind

using a GEL battery then set the selector must
be on “1-GEL”.
Never set the selector to “3-FLOODED”

battery.
READY indicates the Charge Con-
troller is receiving a charge from a

the battery.
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
The Solar Suitcase includes a 12 volt 15
amp-hour sealed lead acid battery (AGM,
or “absorbed glass mat”) that both stores
electricity and provides electricity.
The battery has a limited lifetime and can

times before a replacement is needed. If the


For optimal longevity, the battery should
charge to FULL at least once a week.

reaches the end of its useful life. If you no-
tice the battery is full at the beginning of the

example, the battery cannot provide enough

it is time to replace your battery. Only re-

lead-acid battery. This could be either AGM
or GEL. See the Advanced Manual for more
information about replacing batteries.
The solar panels turn sunlight into electrici-
ty. The electricity is used to charge the main
battery in the Solar Suitcase. The solar

the battery can fully charge every day.
The panels should be kept clean for opti-
mal performance. When panels are dirty or


lamps that come pre-connected. The LED
lamps must plug into the Lamp Connector

Lamp Switches to individu-
ally turn on the lights.
Battery Panels
Lights

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
Getting Started
1
3
2
Place and Connect the Solar Panels
Connect the Battery
Turn on the System
The Solar Suitcase can be used as a portable or stationary energy system. If you plan

before placing the solar panels on the roof. Make sure the Solar Suitcase is in a clean, dry
area and that the Main Power Switch



Attach the end of the Battery Wire to the Battery Connector. The Solar Suitcase arrives
Battery Wire already on the battery. If the Battery Wire has come loose from the
battery terminals then:
Attach the RED terminal on the battery to the RED
Attach the BLACK terminal on the battery to the BLACK
Once the solar panel and battery connections are secure, you can turn on
the system. Use the Main Power Switch to turn ON the system. The Status
LightsCharge Controller
seconds, the Digital DisplaySolar Charging Indicator
 READY
Connect one end of the Homerun Cable to the Solar Connector.
Connect the other end of the Homerun Cable to the solar panel.
90˚
90˚

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !
Usage and Charging
-
er appliances using the Appliance Connectors. Flip the Appliance Switch ON to charge
appliances. The Appliance Connectors are similar to 12V DC car cigarette lighter sockets.

The Solar Suitcase can
charge most cell phones
by placing the USB adapt-
er into the Appliance
Connector and attaching
the universal phone char-
ger. You can also charge
phones that have a 12V
DC car charger. Simply
plug the phone car charger
into the Appliance Con-
nector. Make sure the ap-
pliance plug is inserted ful-
ly into the appliance socket. Some plugs have

inserted. Sometimes plugs needs a !turn to
be inserted and removed.
You may charge rechargeable AA and AAA
batteries for the appliances included in your
suitcase. Plug the AA/AAA battery charger
into one of Appliance Connectors and then
place the rechargeable batteries into the




the Dual Binding Posts

RED is positive and the BLACK is nega-
tive. Consult an electrician before doing this.
The Solar Suitcase can charge a small laptop
computers that have a 12V DC car charger.
      
the Status Light is FULL.
Charging Cell Phones Charging AA/AAA Batteries
The Dual Binding Posts
Charging Computers
THIS SOLAR SUITCASE IS 12 VOLT DC ONLY.

Only use rechargeable batteries with
the battery charger provided. Do not
place disposable batteries in the bat-
tery charger.

We Care Solar Solar Suitcase V2.1 November 2011 Page !

We Care Solar



Only Use Lamps When You Need Them
Keep the Suitcase On
Clean Your Panels
Watch Your Battery’s Charge
Make Sure the Power is On.
When you are not using the LED lamps, turn off the Lamp Switches

lengthen the life of the lamps and increase the life of the battery.
This Main Power Switch should remain ON at all times. Only turn the Main Power
Switch-
ning storm the Main Power Switch should be turned OFF unless it is absolutely critical.




If the LED lamps do not seem to function and the Solar Charging Indicator is not
READY, make sure the Main Power Switch is turned ON.
Helpful Hints
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