folding solar panel set up change?

Question

Folks:Can anyone please comment on the following:1.  120w folding solar panel kit with battery clamps on end of wiring.2.  Wiring is not long enough to reach battery.3.  Currently have male 30amp plug in box under gooseneck.4.  Can I change from battery clamps, extend the wiring and connect with female plug into male under gooseneck which will then feed the batteries?This is a little backward from a normal set up however, an electrician installed the box under gooseneck with male plug because I could utilize the female end of my extra trailer cord from front of trailer reducing the need and providing flexibility to use shorter cord to 30amp service.  The box under gooseneck has a shut off switch in it for safety.Any help would be appreciated.dt

mkirsch · Answer

You can, but there probably won't be much left by the time the power gets to the batteries. 120W in full sun isn't a whole lot in less-than-full sun to begin with, and DC voltage drops quickly along distances of thin wire.

profdant139 · Answer

On my 120 v portable panel, I upgraded my cable from 12 gauge to 10 gauge and extended it slightly -- it seems to be working great -- we just camped for a week in mixed sun and shade, and the battery never dropped below 12.7 volts (and was often much higher -- like 13.7).

beemerphile1 · Answer

dtappy3353 wrote:Folks:Can anyone please comment on the following:1.  120w folding solar panel kit with battery clamps on end of wiring.2.  Wiring is not long enough to reach battery.3.  Currently have male 30amp plug in box under gooseneck.4.  Can I change from battery clamps, extend the wiring and connect with female plug into male under gooseneck which will then feed the batteries?This is a little backward from a normal set up however, an electrician installed the box under gooseneck with male plug because I could utilize the female end of my extra trailer cord from front of trailer reducing the need and providing flexibility to use shorter cord to 30amp service.  The box under gooseneck has a shut off switch in it for safety.Any help would be appreciated.dtMaybe I am just dense, but it sounds like you are considering plugging the solar output to an ac connector?  If so that would be - no.

westend · Answer

There is not enough definition in the original post to ascertain what you have and are working with. "30 amp plug" typically means a 30 AC shore connection.

This is all just a matter of common sense. You only have two phases of wire in the 12 V system (+),(-). Any way you connect those two to the proper battery terminals will be fine.

scrubjaysnest · Answer

On a 120 watt panel you can use 10 AWG wire up to 15 or 20 feet with acceptable loss. Just replace the wire. Marine grade is more flexible.

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folding solar panel set up change?

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