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Joined: 22 Oct 2017
Location: Arkansas
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Posts: 94 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: solar panel use
    Posted: 02 Jul 2021 at 7:31pm
That little plug I have on the passenger side rear of my 2017 rPod 178 - does plugging a solar panel into that go through the charge controller in the WFCO converter, or do I need a separate charge controller?
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jul 2021 at 8:16pm
If you get something like the Renogy Solar Suitcase, it will come with a charge controller. The solar does not go through the converter. That is for 110V AC to 12V DC so yes, you will need that charge controller for your panel(s).
StephenH
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Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 5:29am
You can get any 12v solar kit with a charge controller. You don't need to get one that says Zamp on it or one from Renogy. You can if you want.

The port on the rpod is just a connector that will connect your solar charge controller output to the battery. The WFCO charger is not involved.

Be very careful connecting to it as the SAE type connector at the port has been wired in reverse polarity from normal. Use a voltmeter before connecting to be sure your polarity is right.

Or skip using the port and just connect your solar kit directly to the battery, you will have less wire resistance losses that way. Do add a bolt on or inline fuse at the battery + terminal before you connect there. A 20 amp fuse should be fine.
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Joined: 22 Oct 2017
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Posts: 94 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 7:39am
Thanks - I never asked the dealer about that port, and thought it might go to the WFCO charger - but wanted to make sure - and I would have been wrong!!

My WFCO converter has crapped out a few times - a friend and I found bad solder joints on the bottom of the board, fixed those, and it worked again - for a while - it's on the fritz again so I'll be replacing that board .  Any suggestions about what to replace it with?  It is the WFCO 55 series....
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 8:40am
A lot of folks like Progressive Dynamics, if you're frustrated with WFCO you could try them.
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Posts: 94 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 9:10am
Is it as easy as removing the WFCO board (and 4 or 5 connections) and slipping the Progressive Dynamics board in its place?  That would make  me very happy!
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 12:29pm
Don't know personally, as I haven't had to change mine out, but others here have done it and can respond.
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 12:40pm
It is pretty straightforward and relatively easy. The hardest part is getting the wires into the right places on the fuse board and then getting it back into place. Just pay attention to which wire goes where and then making sure you put the ones from the new converter in the right places.

I have done this twice. Once was to repair a broken converter. The second time was to change out the original board for one that would work with the LiFePO4 battery I installed. Yes, they are different as there are different charging profiles needed for lead-acid and LiFePO4 batteries. The WFCO boards are not programmable.I don't know about the Progress boards.
StephenH
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Joined: 22 Oct 2017
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Posts: 94 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 12:46pm
Tks - I have a good Renology 100 amp-hour AGM battery and I'll seek a converter/charger that will address the AGM's profile needs.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2021 at 12:57pm
Any good controller these days will have flooded lead acid, AGM, and most likely Li charge control settings. I highly recommend Morningstar products (and no, they don't pay me anything).
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