Setting up my solar system
I'm in the planning stages of adding solar to my travel trailer. I currently have a battery bank of two 6V flooded lead acid GC batteries in series that is 215 Ah 12 volts. I am planning on adding ...
Forum Discussion
mr_andyj wrote:
I run mine in series.
What is it that makes parallel better in the shade?
Put your MPPT as close to the batteries as possible. You have 18 volts from your panels, then the controller drops it to 12-14 range.
Breakers are also good as when you disconnect things you want to disconnect the panels first, not the battery. A breaker makes this easier.
While at it put a breaker between battery and the truck plug so the plug is not powered up all the time, while in storage, which can lead to corroding on the plug.
From what I read, if one panel is shaded, they all perform at the level of the lowest-performing panel (the shaded one) if in series. This is more of a concern with partial shading, which is often how my campsites are. Again, I'm new to this, but that's how I understand it.
I will put the charge controller as close as I can get to the batteries, which will be the front understorage compartment. I'll end up with an extra couple of feet of wire just because of where the lines out will run, as I'd rather have extra wire than have to put a new hole in the camper.
I had never considered a breaker to the 7-way before.
