Solar setup question |
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vbdomenico
Groupie Joined: 19 Apr 2020 Location: Kansas City, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 57 |
Topic: Solar setup question Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 6:59pm |
I have decided that I am going to purchase a suitcase solar panel instead of a rooftop mounted one. My 2020 R-pod has the pre-wired solar connection on the roof. I only want to use the suitcase to occasionally charge my battery when I do not have shore power. I am wondering what will be the easiest way to connect the solar suitcase when in use. I do not want to get up on the roof every time I am setting it up. I have my batteries boxes locked via cable locks, and I would rather not have to open them up every time I hook it up (but I could if this is the best way). Do they make switches that you can wire to the battery and install on the outside of the battery box? Any advice would help.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 8:39pm |
I made a short wiring harness that connects direct to the battery tongue connections using PowerPole connectors. That seems to work quite well. I have the Zamp connector on the side that I could also use, but the harness I made works better since it is heavier wiring so would have less power loss.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Andy
Groupie Joined: 11 Feb 2018 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 9:52pm |
I have used a GoPower 80W suitcase for a couple of years and find it very efficient for charging our battery. It comes with a Zamp connector, alligator clips for the battery terminal and an Anderson connector that you can place on the post with the other wires and then hang the connector out of the battery box so you con't have to open it every time. They all come with covers so weather's not an issue.
Enjoy the Pod!
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2017 179
2016 Silverado Z71 |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 6:29am |
Yes, attach the portable kit directly to the battery, no need to use the solar connection point provided.
But please do install a fuse at the battery positive terminal. You can short a 12V cable just as easily as a 120V one, and batteries can produce hundreds of amps of current. Not having a fuse there is no different from connecting to your ac panel without installing a circuit breaker. If you wouldn't do one don't do the other.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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vbdomenico
Groupie Joined: 19 Apr 2020 Location: Kansas City, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 57 |
Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 10:09am |
Thanks for all of the advice. As far as attaching the solar directly to the battery, what is the best way to do this with two 12-volt batteries in parallel. I assume you attach them to the the opposite terminals (negative on one battery and positive on the other) that are not attached to the leads that go to the pod?
Or can you just attach to one battery?
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 10:20am |
They're in parallel so theoretically its the same. There is a slight difference though. Ideally you should already have + to the trailer coming from + on one battery and - coming from the other battery. That helps keep the two batteries in balance. Just place the solar connections on the same terminals as the trailer connections.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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