Adding Solar Plug to 2011 177

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   Hey all,
Built myself a solar suitcase (2 x 100w) and going to add a flush mount SAE connector to the outside of the 177 to ease connecting it. I have a single 105Ah, deep cycle, FLA on the 177.  Is there an easy location to connect the solar controller to the leads from the battery inside the trailer?   I'm assuming under the seats, but being new to the R-Pod, have not been able to delve too deeply yet.  I have the solar panels (fused) connected to the solar controller, then the controller output (fused) which I am hoping I can easily connect inside the RV.

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Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Topic: Adding Solar Plug to 2011 177 Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 10:51pm
	Hey all, Built myself a solar suitcase (2 x 100w) and going to add a flush mount SAE connector to the outside of the 177 to ease connecting it. I have a single 105Ah, deep cycle, FLA on the 177. Is there an easy location to connect the solar controller to the leads from the battery inside the trailer? I'm assuming under the seats, but being new to the R-Pod, have not been able to delve too deeply yet. I have the solar panels (fused) connected to the solar controller, then the controller output (fused) which I am hoping I can easily connect inside the RV.
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 22 Apr 2020 at 5:45am
	Consider connecting the solar charge controller at the battery itself. Then you don't have to make any penetrations into the trailer, and you can mount the SAE connector to the battery box. Also, the fuse for the controller should go at the battery end of that cable, not the controller end. Fuses are there to protect against damage from short circuits. The source of current that could cause damage if the cable gets shorted is the battery, not the controller or solar modules. Solar modules are self limited in current output, if you short them out nothing happens. If you short out the battery you get a meltdown. For the same reason, you don't need a fuse on the solar module side of the controller.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

geewizard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2017 Location: Spokane Online Status: Offline Posts: 347	Posted: 22 Apr 2020 at 6:32am
	Here's how I did it: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12747&PID=122794&title=battery-tray#122794
	2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC