Good afternoon,I'm in the process to setting up a solar panel setup and my fuse/breaker box is inside under the stove and my batteries are currently in the front outside.I was wondering if it's possible to run my solar panels (from the roof) by the fridge vent to a charge controller and from there go to the 12v electrical panel instead of going to the batteries. The batteries are connected to the panel but not sure if this would charge them. I looked online for any setup like this but couldn't find anything which is why I joined this forum for some answers.

Joel1,Welcome to the forums.You can do it but it may compromise the charging abilities of the system.Here are some articles that may help.https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

Yes you can. Just be sure to connect the cables from the charge controller to the negative and positive bus that connect to the battery. That will be the where the largest cables are going to the battery.

Not the best but it will work fine. Controller close to the battery is always best.Also controllers like the solar to be disconnected before you disconnect from the battery. For some controller this is critical and the smoke can be released. All fine until you service the battery or some other function disconnects the battery before you disconnect the panels. If the controller is right there or you have separate controller connection direct on the battery there is lower chance of an issue. Check the controller manual closely.

Yes. It will work best if your controller has remote voltage (and temperature) sensing. But it will work. Make sure there's a fuse or DC breaker in line.Connecting to the battery connections at the panel would actually be better than running wires (of the same gauge as the existing battery-panel wires) separately to the battery. That's because whatever current you use beyond charging during solar hours wouldn't have to travel to the battery and back to the panel.

Thanks for the input guys. At which area would you add the DC breaker or fuse? Before the panel?

Solar to Panel? | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

time2roll
Nomad
Sep 01, 2017
Fuse? What is the combined Isc panel rating? If you can connect to an open fused port in your stack of fuses in the distribution panel you are fine. I believe most are 15 or 20 amps max. The rest of the wire should have enough ampacity to short the power from the panels with no harm done. More concern with converter amps and battery amps melting the wire.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 01, 2017
Charging will be compromised from very small to unacceptable. Wire size, length and amperage (ie solar size) are the main considerations.

Do you have other wire routing options? On my sons 5er we ran the wire down a front closet to the controller next to the battery located in the front for example. No visible wires inside.
joel1
Explorer
Sep 01, 2017
Thanks for the input guys. At which area would you add the DC breaker or fuse?

Before the panel?
mike-s
Explorer
Sep 01, 2017
Yes. It will work best if your controller has remote voltage (and temperature) sensing. But it will work. Make sure there's a fuse or DC breaker in line.

Connecting to the battery connections at the panel would actually be better than running wires (of the same gauge as the existing battery-panel wires) separately to the battery. That's because whatever current you use beyond charging during solar hours wouldn't have to travel to the battery and back to the panel.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 01, 2017
Not the best but it will work fine. Controller close to the battery is always best.

Also controllers like the solar to be disconnected before you disconnect from the battery. For some controller this is critical and the smoke can be released. All fine until you service the battery or some other function disconnects the battery before you disconnect the panels. If the controller is right there or you have separate controller connection direct on the battery there is lower chance of an issue. Check the controller manual closely.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Sep 01, 2017
Yes you can. Just be sure to connect the cables from the charge controller to the negative and positive bus that connect to the battery. That will be the where the largest cables are going to the battery.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 01, 2017
Joel1,

Welcome to the forums.

You can do it but it may compromise the charging abilities of the system.

Here are some articles that may help.

https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

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Solar to Panel?

17 Replies

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