I'm gonna run new cable to converter.. rear of rig!

Could you mount the converter near the batteries. I mounted my PD9260 in the compartment next to the batteries, and used battery cables from the local auto parts store to tie to the batteries (less than 3 feet). Ran the 120 Volt AC in plastic electrical conduit to the converter. There's almost no drop between converter and battery. The solar controller is mounted next to the converter, and uses the same battery cables.

Doug

As others said, put the converter under the bed. The existing converter to battery wiring will now feed the distribution panel that gets left in place.

BTDT, it's the best answer.

RoyB wrote:

I am thinking new #4 to the battery and use the second terminal to connect to the solar controller.

What you might do is locate the DC cabling coming from your WF8955 converter/charger where it connects to the battery terminal. Pull that back to pass thru storage area or where you want to install the PD9200 or PD4600 series converter/charger.

These PD converters have DUAL CONNECTOR slots for both POS and NEG battery cables. You can see the DUAL CONNECTORs in this photo.


You can connect the WF8955 #8 size battery cables to one side of the dual connector and the new 4AWG cables from the other side of the DUAL CONNECTOR to go to the battery terminals. Be sure to observe the POS and NEG terminals on the PD unit.

This will allow to provide BATTERY to the 12VDC Power Distribution panel in the WF8900 series unit as well as allowing your PD converter/charger to charge your batteries.

You can power up either unit by just flipping the 120VAC Circuit breaker for the one you want to be ON.

Your WF8955 unit can be a back-up for you now and the new PD9200 series converter can be your primary unit...

This is simple diagram of how my two converter/chargers are wired for my battery bank.



Food for thought...
Roy Ken

Just pull 120v romex from the tv or bedroom to the pass through compartment. Install an IOTA or PD converter in the pass through compartment with #4 wire direct to the battery.

That solar kit has 100' of MC4 cable. Cut it in half. MC4 connectors snap onto the panels, cut end to the controller mounted right next to the new converter. Controller can share the new converter connection to the battery.

No need to pull 4/0 wire to the old WFCO.

+1 for SolarBLVD and save $400+.

popo, I am near by you, in the SFV, I have a brand new PD9245 with Charge Wizard for sale. PM me with a reasonable offer. Half of your charging problem will be solved with this device.

Install it in your storage area underneath your bed, close to the batteries, and keep some 8 gauge wire run as short as possible to the batteries. 8 feet or less would suffice.

Once you have a generator and the PD9245 charge controller, you can then worry about the solar option, and tying it in later... as it will need it's own solar charge controller, panels, and wiring.

A trip to Solar Blvd is in order if you live in So Cal.

None of this is really that difficult, if you take care of it in small steps.

I just went through the same process with my 21 ft travel trailer, it's pretty easy with all the help provided around here.

The WFCO that comes stock is useful if you plan to camp with full hook ups, every time. It's lousy if you dry camp or boondock, even a little bit.

240 watt panel kit

Buy 2 of these, you have 480 watts. Pick out a PWM Controller good for 30 amps, or to play it safe, two 20 amp PWM's, one for each set of panels, and some redundancy, if one should fail.

Or look at Xantrex or Morningstar controllers in their charge controller section. Another very cheap option is to starts shopping around on Ebay for charge controllers. Lots of options, you just need to study, do your homework, then spend.

Add in some connector cables, make the run from the controllers again short to the batteries. The length of the run from the panels to the PWM charge controller is less important. You'll be running 30 amps or close to it, go with 8 gauge wire.

Done, lot's of savings going this route.

Do as SteveAE did. While the solar system seems expensive, it is complete and has quality components and probably good support.

Mena....

thanks.

All, Sooo the img is now showing up in my original post... strange.. photobucket must been acting funny

bigcitypopo wrote:

I've got my eye on a kit from Wholesale Solar... a 500w kit "king of the road" I want to do this once... not wish I had more. clicky right hee-a!

next it is inverter shopping....

You're in SoCal so head over to Solarblvd in Norco. Much better prices and you can save on shipping by picking them up in person.

bigcitypopo wrote:
some of this is also to prep for solar as well... i gotta upgrade a piece at a time.
new wire to converter and panel. Im going to either run 6 volts or a separate bank of two additional 12v when i boondock. I'm gonna connect them via a quick connect system...

I've got my eye on a kit from Wholesale Solar... a 500w kit "king of the road" I want to do this once... not wish I had more. clicky right hee-a!

next it is inverter shopping....

$1,800 for 500W of solar?