BougeRV ARCH 200w Flexible Fiberglass Solar Panel Review

The Professor reviews the IP68 waterproof BougeRV “Arch” Fiberglass 270 degree flex solar panel available in 100w and 200w sizes.

CHECK OUT THE ARCH: https://gohobo.io/arch

BougeRV Yuma CIGS: https://gohobo.io/yuma

BougeRV N-Type TopCon Bifacial: https://gohobo.io/topcon

Everything else: Use global code “HOBOTECH” on all accessories

 

Watch the video HERE

 

bougerv yuma cigs review

BougeRV Yuma CIGS “Bulletproof” 200w Solar Panel Install | 6 Month Follow Up

The Professor performs a 6 MONTH follow up review covering installation and performance of the shade tolerant, virtually indestructible BougeRV Yuma CIGS with a 12 year warranty!

bougerv yuma cigs review
click here to watch the video

The BougeRV Yuma CIGS panel was such a popular product that it ended up selling out a few weeks after I published my review, and was out of stock through the entire 2023 holiday season up until just recently. BougeRV told me the Yuma CIGS is now back with plenty in stock so it’s appropriate that I finally finish the follow up video I had planned to release several months ago.

In this follow up, I’m going to share with you how I installed the panels on my RV. How they’ve held up in the 6 months I’ve been using them. How much power they output under the worst conditions possible and how they work after being shot full of holes then fully submerged underwater (no joke),

Let’s start with installation. Now the Yuma CIGS comes in two install versions. One has strips of very strong adhesive on the back that’s akin to Eternabond, which is a popular, very sticky, RV roofing product. The other simply has grommets around the edge allowing you to install on a porous surface or other surface where the adhesive won’t work such as on a shingled roof.

I actually have both kinds installed on my RV because in order to fit one of the 200w panels over the badly placed factory solar roof gland (which I really can’t relocate) I needed to use the grommet version so it could bend over top of the gland box and not lose cohesion. The other two panels I have installed are the adhesive type. 

As for roof prep, I had the “Chuck Yeager of electric bikes” Kevin from Canada help by thoroughly pressure washing the roof with soap and water first. Now this RV has a textured EDPM rubber roof so it is perfect for using adhesive on but it needs to be perfectly clean.

After the roof was washed and dried, the roof was then cleaned entirely with isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. It took about 5 quarts to do the entire roof. After that completely dried overnight, the solar panels were applied one at a time starting with the front adhesive panels and working our way back. The grommet panel was installed last with typical roofing screws with rubber washers and lap sealant was applied over and under the holes.

In hindsight, I’m second guessing this panel install because at Quartzsite during some high cross winds one of the corners that wasn’t screwed down good enough came loose and started flapping on the roof. I had to use duct tape to secure it which amazingly enough has still held after driving highway speeds for hours and being in rain and snow since. I may decide to remove this 200w panel and replace it with a pair of 100w CIGS so I can get around that gland box without having a big hump in the panel.

I had a few viewers ask if an air gap is needed or if they should be installed on something like Duraplast sheets before mounting. The answer is that CIGS panels are very heat tolerant and won’t be damaged when applied properly. The adhesive panels do have air gaps between the strips that help with cooling. You could certainly install them on corrugated plastic if you desire. The cooler they run the more power they produce just like any other solar panel. However, they don’t suffer from delamination that flex panels due when subjected to high heat. In fact, they can handle temperatures up to 185 degrees F before taking damage. That’s hot enough to cook an egg in 6 minutes. So don’t drive through any life size toaster ovens.

The last question I had about install was how do you remove them if you use the adhesive. The answer I got from BougeRV was to use a strong wire or a plastic spatula to separate the panel from the roof then soak the adhesive in Ethyl alcohol to dissolve it.

So before I left on my 5 week camping trip to Quartzsite, the panels on the RV were repeatedly soaked with rain, withstood winds over 50 mph, and had over a foot of snow sitting on them for a week which then turned into ice. When I left home, the roof was covered with about 2 inches of ice with about 4 inches of snow on top of that. This melted and came off as I drove down the mountain 6000 feet to Quartzsite.

When I arrived at Quartzsite, it was the dead of winter in early January. It was overcast, not all that warm, and I realized after I had already setup camp that I was facing the wrong way. See, there are two panels on the passenger side and one panel on the driver side. I was parked with the south facing the drivers side. I realized with how low the sun was in the sky that both of the passenger side panels were going to be shaded by the air conditioner. I needed every watt I could get, so I picked up camp, turned the RV 180 degrees so the two passenger side panels faced south, and plopped back down. This made a big difference in output. So take note when you install these flat on your RV roof that you may need to park your RV a certain direction if you camp in the winter time when the sun is low on the horizon. This won’t really be an issue late spring to early fall.

I have some output numbers to show you. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize Victron solar controllers only save 30 days of data by default so I was only able to capture the last week I was camping in February.

You can see here on Feb 10th I peaked at 463w out of 600w and that’s with the panels laying flat and one being shaded by the RV air conditioner. While 463w out of 600w doesn’t sound great, it’s phenomenal for 600w that’s laying flat in the dead of winter with one 200w being at least a third shaded. I recall this day because the day before there was a big storm and my batteries ran down pretty low. You can see the starting volts was only 12.04 with the final volts 13.68 so I didn’t get a full recharge this day. I did get virtually 2kWh total from those 600w of Yuma panels. You can see the other days didn’t do as well but these are real world conditions with real weather.

So, you may be wondering what did I do with that Yuma CIGS I shot full of bullet holes, drug across a gravel driveway, then ran over with an ATV? Well, a friend of mine said he very much wanted it for his truck camper. You might be wondering why someone would install a beat up holy panel on a camper?

While the Yuma CIGS when undamaged is IP68 rated, which means it can be fully submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, wouldn’t the holes allow water to intrude and short the panel out? This was a question some of you asked and I had to experiment to answer. I originally filmed this as a YouTube short but I never posted it because the solar panel sold out. So here is footage that you’ve never seen before taken from last fall.

Once my friend heard about this, he wanted it. I ended up giving him the BougeRV power station to go with it and he did some of his own testing at home with some very surprising results.

So there you have it. Two sets of real world results. It doesn’t seem to make much of a difference if you blow holes in it and dunk it in water. The output barely changes. This is probably why BougeRV offers an incredible 12 year warranty on the Yuma CIGS when purchased on their site through my link and using my discount code. Note that my code will give you a larger discount than the default one on the website so be sure to use it. When you do use my link, it will take you directly to the BougeRV store page and those discount codes will be available below.

I believe BougeRV is still offering HOBOTECH customers a free gift bag containing a cap, koozie, and bag with the HOBOTECH logo and an illustration of me and Odin flying away in a BougeRV fridge. After you order be sure you claim your free gift by visiting this page and entering in your order number. 

CLICK HERE for BOUGERV YUMA CIGS use code HOBOTECH28 for 200w or HOBOTECH18 for 100w.

 

 

bluetti pv420

 

Watch The Video On YouTube 

The Professor reviews Bluetti’s lightweight portable folding solar panel the PV420 with rated 420 watt output, IP65 water resistance, and weighs under 31lbs.

bluetti pv420

WATCH IT HERE

Bluetti PV420 420w

Portable Solar Panel

bluetti pv420

Use code HOBOPV420

GO TO BLUETTI

See the review?


Dr. Prepare 100ah

LiFePO4 PowerMax Battery

Use code HOBO7

GO TO DR PREPARE

See the review?


 Power Queen 190ah

LiFePO4 Drop In Battery

power queen 190ah

Use code HOBO9 for $605 offer

GO TO POWER QUEEN

See the review?


Vigorpool Captain 1200

UPS LFP Parallel SoGen

GO TO VIGORPOOL

See the review?


ZENDURE SBP 2000

SOLAR GENERATOR

$100 OFF code HOBOSBP

GO TO ZENDURE

See the review?


BLUETTI EB3A UPS

SOLAR GENERATOR

BLUETTI

Use code HOBOEB3A

GO TO BLUETTI

See the review?


RUNHOOD POWER

MODULAR GENERATOR

RUNHOOD POWER

GO TO RUNHOOD

See the review?


ECOFLOW WAVE

BATTERY POWERED A/C

ecoflow wave

Use code HOBOTECHWAVE

GO TO ECOFLOW

See the review?


RENOGY LYCAN 5000

4800wh UPS Waterproof

Solar Generator

12% off with code HOBOLYCAN1

GO TO RENOGY

See the review?

GOT RENOGY SOLAR PANELS?

Renogy 450w solar panels: https://hobos.cc/ren450

Renogy 175w solar panels: https://hobos.cc/ren175

Use code HOBOPANEL for 10% off

renogy 450w

 


ACOPOWER

LiON Mini Fridge

acopower lion mini

$226 Super Early Bird!

GO TO ACOPOWER

See the review?


BougeRV 1200w

1100wh SoGen

bougerv 1200w

$719 code HOBOTECH10

GO TO BOUGERV

See the review?


Jackery 2000 Pro

2200w UPS SoGen

$2069 code HOBOTECH

GO TO JACKERY

See the review?


ICECO JPPRO 12v Fridge

jp40pro

Only $479 for a limited time!

GO TO ICECO PAGE

See the review?


PECRON E3000 3108wh

pecron e3000

Only $1899 for a limited time!

Use code HOBOE3000 until May 7th

GO TO PECRON SITE

See the review?


BIGBLUE CELLPOWA 2500w

CELLPOWA 2500

Only $1099 for a limited time!

GO TO BIGBLUE SITE

See the review?


BLUETTI EP500 PROBLUETTI EP500 PRO

See the review?

GO TO BLUETTI POWER SITE

//-AC300 & B300 Deals-//
B300 (solo) Use code HOBOB300 https://bit.ly/3hyROWi
AC300+B300 Use code HOBOAC3001B https://bit.ly/398DDm1
AC300+2xB300 Use code HOBOAC3002B https://bit.ly/3Aq3OAs
AC300+2xB300+3xPV200 Use code HOBOAC300COMBO2 https://bit.ly/3tJHFuD
2xAC300+2xB300+P030A Use code HOBOAC300COMBO1 https://bit.ly/3lpWoXU
AC300+4xB300 Use code HOBOAC3004B https://bit.ly/3tVd1Pb
2xAC300+4xB300+P030A Use code HOBOAC300COMBO3 https://bit.ly/2Xmd8XL
2xAC300+4xB300+6xPV200+P030A Use code HOBOAC300COMBO4 https://bit.ly/2XmDDfp
//-AC200Max & B230 Deals-//
B230 (solo) Use code HOBOB230 https://bit.ly/3EiO4Sk
AC200MAX Use code HOBO200MAX https://bit.ly/3EiOBni
AC200Max+B230 Use code HOBOMAXB230 https://bit.ly/3znZzEB
AC200Max+3PV200 Use code HOBOMAX3PV2000 https://bit.ly/39b8lLs
AC200Max+2*B230 Use code HOBOMAX2B230 https://bit.ly/3k9D7ue
AC200Max+2*B230+3*PV200 Use code HOBOMAXCOMBO https://bit.ly/3kb2A6w
//-AC200P-//
AC200P Use code HOBO200P https://bit.ly/3JSgGDR
AC200P+3xPV120 Use code AC200PV120 https://bit.ly/3555Yes
AC200P+3xPV200 Use code AC200PV200 https://bit.ly/3t9pPBg
//-UNDER 1000w-//
AC50S Use code HOBO50 (or HOBO50OR) https://bit.ly/3skt7me
EB55 Use code HOBO55 https://bit.ly/3hfqw6x
EB70S Use code HOBO70S Use code HOBO100 https://bit.ly/3C311iF
EB150 Use code HOBO150 https://bit.ly/3pgyr85
EB240 Use code HOBO3000 https://bit.ly/3Ka7drZ
EB55+PV120 Use code PVEB55 https://bit.ly/3BMIpDn
EB70S+PV200 Use code EB70S30 https://bit.ly/3sfYu1c
EB150+2xPV120 Use code EB150PV120 https://bit.ly/3t7PmuM
EB240+2xPV120 https://bit.ly/33OMk61
//-SOLAR PANELS-//
PV120 Use code HOBO100 https://bit.ly/3LZXAO3
PV200 Use code HOBO200 https://bit.ly/3vgmjrq
PV350 Use code HOB350 https://bit.ly/3hIr1Gs
//-ACCESSORIES-//
DC Charging Enhanncer(D050S) Use code HOBOENHANCER https://bit.ly/2Xs3mnd
Fusion Box Pro(P030A)Use code HOBOFUSION https://bit.ly/3AcUQqs
PV voltage step down module(D300S) Use code HOBOD300S https://bit.ly/3nByuv1
D050S+3*PV200+B230 Use code HOBOENHCOMBO1 https://bit.ly/3nzNKJ9
D050S+3*PV200+B300 Use code HOBOENHCOMBO2 https://bit.ly/2XhAuh1

–ALLPOWERS MONSTER PRO–

5000wh UPS LFP SOGEN

Only $3399 for a limited time!

That’s 67 cents per watt hour! Cheap!

GO TO ALLPOWERS SITE

See the review?


OUPES 1200w Solar Generator

oupes 1200

Only $765 for a limited time!

Use Code HOBOTECH for 15% off SITE WIDE

GO TO OUPES SITE

See the review?

GET THE BLUETTI AC200P at the LOWEST PRICE EVER! 

BLUETTI AC200P 2000wh LiFePO4

Only $1498 from BLUETTI

https://bit.ly/2T3xMJK

Use Code HOBO200P 

or purchase from Amazon + tax support & Bezos Yacht Fund

​https://amzn.to/3aj1LE9

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY BUYING DIRECT FROM BLUETTI

BEZOS DOESN’T NEED ANOTHER YACHT!


MONTEK X-1000 Water Resistant 1000w SoGen

montek x1000

MONTEK X-1000 (with 80w panel): http://shrsl.com/3cm8o use code HOBO1000 for $100 off!

 


ACOPower LiONCooler Pro Solar Fridge

lioncooler pro

https://bit.ly/3Dp5hYH

 


 

ANKER 521 256wh LFP Power Station

anker

https://amzn.to/3nZUT51

 


 

BLUETTI AC300

3000w Solar Generator

“BEST SOGEN AVAILABLE IN 2021!”

ON SALE NOW!

 

Use the codes / links below!

 

//-AC300 & B300 Deals-//

B300 (solo) Use code HOBOB300 https://bit.ly/3hyROWi

AC300+B300 (review bundle) Use code HOBOAC3001B https://bit.ly/398DDm1

AC300+2xB300 Use code HOBOAC3002B https://bit.ly/3Aq3OAs

AC300+2xB300+3xPV200 Use code HOBOAC300COMBO2 https://bit.ly/3tJHFuD

2xAC300+2xB300+P030A Use code HOBOAC300COMBO1 https://bit.ly/3lpWoXU

AC300+4xB300 Use code HOBOAC3004B https://bit.ly/3tVd1Pb

2xAC300+4xB300+P030A Use code HOBOAC300COMBO3 https://bit.ly/2Xmd8XL

2xAC300+4xB300+6xPV200+P030A Use code HOBOAC300COMBO4 https://bit.ly/2XmDDfp

 

//-AC200Max & B230 Deals-//

B230 (solo)  Use code HOBOB230 https://bit.ly/3EiO4Sk

AC200MAX  Use code HOBO200MAX https://bit.ly/3EiOBni

AC200Max+B230  Use code HOBOMAXB230 https://bit.ly/3znZzEB

AC200Max+3PV200  Use code HOBOMAX3PV2000 https://bit.ly/39b8lLs

AC200Max+2*B230 (review bundle) Use code HOBOMAX2B230 https://bit.ly/3k9D7ue

AC200Max+2*B230+3*PV200 Use code HOBOMAXCOMBO https://bit.ly/3kb2A6w

 

//-Other Models-//

AC200P 2000wh https://bit.ly/2T3xMJK use code HOBO200P

EB70 700w LiFePO4 https://bit.ly/2SfeEIK use code HOBO70

EB55 700w LiFePO4 https://bit.ly/3CmRHFq use code HOBO55

AC50s 500wh https://bit.ly/3uNec1O use code HOBO50

AC50s (orange) https://bit.ly/2T1TUEx use code HOBO50OR

EB240 2400wh https://bit.ly/3cjMseB use code HOBO3000 

EB150 1500wh https://bit.ly/3plw3vL use code HOBO150

//-Solar Panels-//

BLUETTI PV200 200w Solar Panel https://bit.ly/31b1n8o use code HOBO200

BLUETTI PV120 120w Solar Panel https://bit.ly/3Emrtn8 use code HOBO100

 

//-Accessory Deals-//

DC Charging EnhanncerD050S) Use code HOBOENHANCER https://bit.ly/2Xs3mnd

Fusion Box Pro(P030A) Use code HOBOFUSION https://bit.ly/3AcUQqs

PV voltage step down module(D300S) Use code HOBOD300S https://bit.ly/3nByuv1

D050S+3*PV200+B230 Use code HOBOENHCOMBO1 https://bit.ly/3nzNKJ9

D050S+3*PV200+B300 Use code HOBOENHCOMBO2 https://bit.ly/2XhAuh1

 


 HIBOOST BOOSTERS!

HIBOOST OTW  

-> https://bit.ly/3DLf0Kn <-

Use code HOBO20 for 20% off the OTW, RV, and Car boosters.

Use code HOBO15ALL for 15% off everything else SITE WIDE! (including home boosters!)

 


NEW BLUETTI AC200Max !

bluetti ac200max  

AC200Max:  use code HOBO200MAX https://bit.ly/3mjdKIa

AC200Max+B230:  use code HOBOMAXB230 https://bit.ly/3xZJCUg

AC200Max+2*B230:  use code HOBOMAX2B230 https://bit.ly/3z3L8Gh

AC200Max+2*B230+600w solar:  use code HOBOMAXCOMBO https://bit.ly/3D1SEUr

AC200Max+600w solar: use code HOBOMAX3PV2000 https://bit.ly/2WbTMnS

BROWSE OTHER DEALS: https://bit.ly/3ydwhId

 


SUNGOLDPOWER 130w v.2 Suitcase Kit

is BACK !

Use code HOBOTECH at checkout

GET IT AT SUNGOLDPOWER

Watch the original V.1 review video HERE

Amazon (no discount): https://amzn.to/3iJFRht


jackery 1000

JACKERY EXPLORER 1000

GET IT AT JACKERY (save tax)

 use code HOBOTECH at checkout!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38TEJiR

CANADA https://amzn.to/3d7ll5g

PLEASE SUPPORT US AND NOT BILLIONAIRES BY BUYING DIRECT!


ECOFLOW DELTA PRO

3600w LiFePO4 UPS Power Station

ecoflow delta pro

CHECK IT OUT HERE


ICECO Refrigerators

->CLICK HERE for BEST DEALS!<-Use code HOBOTECH at checkout!


 


 

BOUGERV DEALS!

BOUGERV 180w Solar Panels

Use code HOBOTECH at checkout for 12% off the ENTIRE Solar Catalog!  

Get BOUGERV 180 WATT SOLAR PANELS HERE 

 

BougeRV Cheap REFRIGERATORS!

 Use code HOBOTECH20 for 20% off all models!

53qt use code HOBOTECH90 for $90 off!

BUY DIRECT FROM BOUGERV

Wanna buy Bezos another Yacht instead?

23qt https://amzn.to/35SLvY7 use code 23QTFREEZER
30qt https://amzn.to/3pSf0RC use code 30QTFREEZER
53qt https://amzn.to/36YuXNx use code 53QTFRIDGE

53qt (Canada) https://amzn.to/332dgeX use code V7DIVCAB


 

The 5100wh Home Backup BEAST!

BLUETTI EP500 / EP500 PRO

GET IT NOW

see the original review here


 

Jackery 1500

JACKERY EXPLORER 1500

GET IT AT JACKERY (save tax)

Amazon +tax: https://amzn.to/3sUvbyU

PLEASE SUPPORT US AND NOT BILLIONAIRES BY BUYING DIRECT!jackery solar generator 1500

JACKERY SG1500 + 4x100w Panels

GET IT AT JACKERY (save tax)

on Amazon +tax: https://amzn.to/3rQCFld

PLEASE SUPPORT US AND NOT BILLIONAIRES BY BUYING DIRECT!


 

 

eb70

BLUETTI EB70 700w Solar Generator

Use Code HOBO70 for $100 off

GET IT AT BLUETTI (save tax)

Only red & gray available. Mint green is sold out.

PLEASE SUPPORT US AND NOT CORPORATE BILLIONAIRES BY BUYING DIRECT.

AMAZON TAKES UP TO 25% FROM SELLERS!

 


  hiboost cell booster

HIBOOST RV BOOSTER

GET IT AT HIBOOST

Use code HOBO20 for 20% OFF all mobile units!

 


  

JACKERY 300 Version 2.0!

Get it at the new low price of $299!

Jackery Direct (save tax) https://bit.ly/2QEQ9AB

 On Amazon (+tax): https://amzn.to/3lCbbhl

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY BUYING DIRECT FROM JACKERY

BEZOS DOESN’T NEED THE HELP!


 

ALP 1000w Generator + Free Tank Hose

Get the ALP in several color choices for $499

1) Add generator to cart: ALP Generator 

2) Add hose to cart: Generator Hose 

3) Use code HOBO1020 at checkout!  

 


 

ECOFLOW DELTA 1300 $1149

EcoFlow Store Page!

Use code EFHOBOTECH50 !

 

BLUETTI AC50S Solar Generator

->CLICK HERE for BEST DEAL!<-

Use code HOBO50

Or buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/36fwWg0

 


ICECO JP Series Refrigerators 20% OFF!

->CLICK HERE for BEST DEAL!<-

Use code HOBOTECH at checkout!

 

 

HIBOOST 4G Signal Boosters
–> CLICK HERE FOR BEST DEAL! <–

Use code 2CX3RBZJ for 10% off SITE WIDE!

NEW! Use code XRMJT8WE for 20% off RV CELL BOOSTER!

 


ACOPOWER LiONCooler: https://www.acopower.com/

Use code HOBOTECH at checkout for 10% off!


 

 

SUNGOLDPOWER 130w Suitcase Kit is BACK

for $208! Use code 15HOBOTECH

Watch the original review video HERE

–> CLICK HERE for Amazon Page <–


Using the preferred “Best Deal” links helps support the channel!

 

Visit hobotech.tv/amazon for ALL products and discounts!

 

HOBOTECH is viewer supported. When you buy through these links we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

#reviews #generators #offgrid 

View More