Thanks for all the replies in my other post. I stated I was going to purchase the 120w suitcase kit. Well after alot of reading and learning from all here on this site Ive changed direction. I DID purchase 2 100w panels and a 40amp mppt charge controller. I now want to set it all up so I can add a third mobile panel. I have a breaker between the panels and the controller. My thinking is to wire an sae pigtail from the breaker where the panel wires are bolted to it, and run the sae pigtail into one of the outside compartments so I can plug my mobile panel into that. Any thoughts?

I dislike portable panels for being portable - with all that this entails - but I hear people are happy with Anderson Powerpole connectors for this application. SAE doesn't look serious for anything more than 5W trickle charger. Now you can go to Home Depot and get a piece of PVC pipe for panel legs. Don't remember the reasons for not getting that 3rd panel up on the roof - hopefully they are valid.Btw, no breaker is necessary between panels and controller.

THANKS! Ill look into those connectors, they look awsome. I thought Id pick up a semi flex panel because their lite. Ive seen pvc frames or legs, good idea for sure. We boondock quite a bit in the trees. Thought moveable panel would provide extra when the California forest is blocking some of the 200w on the roof. Ive seen some posts with a fuse between the panels and the cc and some without. I thought a shut off switch would be a good idea so just bought a manual reset circuit breaker. tying a pigtail into the pv wires before the cc seemed like its the same as if I bought another set of mc4 y connectors.Thanks again

champdog wrote:THANKS! Ill look into those connectors, they look awsome. I thought Id pick up a semi flex panel because their lite. Ive seen pvc frames or legs, good idea for sure. We boondock quite a bit in the trees. Thought moveable panel would provide extra when the California forest is blocking some of the 200w on the roof. Ive seen some posts with a fuse between the panels and the cc and some without. I thought a shut off switch would be a good idea so just bought a manual reset circuit breaker. tying a pigtail into the pv wires before the cc seemed like its the same as if I bought another set of mc4 y connectors.Thanks againGood plan except for the flex panel choice. I would think that a smaller, rigid module would be a better choice, less chance of module failure and easier deployment. The only trade-off is weight and there is not enough to worry about with these sized modules.

Thanks, Ya maybe ill rethink the flex panel! Its not gonna be right away. Maybe by then Ill purchase one of the suitcase models!

Going in circles indeed. I said this earlier in other thread - flex panels are rarely used, mostly when there are VERY specific installation requirements. Not a good choice for portable."Suitcase model" is simply 100W system split into 50+50W with legs, lowER end controller (sometimes total junk, sometimes acceptable) and a piece of crocodile cable from controller to battery (useless cable to you since you will be either parallel wiring it with the other two panels or use a corresponding receptacle on the trailer). For all this, you will pay upwards of $250. Though I recall they sometimes sell only "suitcase", without controller.You said you already bought 2*100W panels and 40A MPPT for roof install? Should've bought 40A PWM from Grape instead - considering possible shade. Anyway, for adding portable you only need one 100W panel and a piece of PVC for legs. If you buy a suitcase with controller included - it's usually PWM unless you pay more money yet for MPPT upgrade - you won't be able to run it in parallel with your existing MPPT and 2 other panels.California forest? :) Yeah, in some areas. Members in SoCal prefer covering all the roof with panels and not dealing with portables. Add another 200W on the roof, flat 200W will work the same as one portable 100W tilted at perfect angle to sun (or better). Just make sure all panels are of the same voltage and current (the same applies to single portable panel hooked up to 2 roof panels and MPPT). 40A MPPT can handle 500-600W array, most trailers have enough roof for that. Alright, I'm partial to roof installs...

Adding a 3rd mobile panel | Good Sam Community

westend
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
champdog wrote:
THANKS! Ill look into those connectors, they look awsome. I thought Id pick up a semi flex panel because their lite. Ive seen pvc frames or legs, good idea for sure. We boondock quite a bit in the trees. Thought moveable panel would provide extra when the California forest is blocking some of the 200w on the roof. Ive seen some posts with a fuse between the panels and the cc and some without. I thought a shut off switch would be a good idea so just bought a manual reset circuit breaker. tying a pigtail into the pv wires before the cc seemed like its the same as if I bought another set of mc4 y connectors.Thanks again
Good plan except for the flex panel choice. I would think that a smaller, rigid module would be a better choice, less chance of module failure and easier deployment. The only trade-off is weight and there is not enough to worry about with these sized modules.
champdog
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
THANKS! Ill look into those connectors, they look awsome. I thought Id pick up a semi flex panel because their lite. Ive seen pvc frames or legs, good idea for sure. We boondock quite a bit in the trees. Thought moveable panel would provide extra when the California forest is blocking some of the 200w on the roof. Ive seen some posts with a fuse between the panels and the cc and some without. I thought a shut off switch would be a good idea so just bought a manual reset circuit breaker. tying a pigtail into the pv wires before the cc seemed like its the same as if I bought another set of mc4 y connectors.Thanks again
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 04, 2017
I dislike portable panels for being portable - with all that this entails - but I hear people are happy with Anderson Powerpole connectors for this application. SAE doesn't look serious for anything more than 5W trickle charger.

Now you can go to Home Depot and get a piece of PVC pipe for panel legs. Don't remember the reasons for not getting that 3rd panel up on the roof - hopefully they are valid.

Btw, no breaker is necessary between panels and controller.

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