Solar Charge Controller

wbwood wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
The 15' cable that comes with the Renogy portables is way too short so I plan to move the controller near the batteries. I really liked someone's idea of having two different length cables with quick connects. I had already replaced the alligator clips with ring/Anderson ends.

I'm debating on the portable or piecing it together. If I piece it together, I will go with some longer cable. The upside of going with the portables is that they will already be hinged together and have a built in stand. The downside is that the controller is mounted on it and thus you don't want to really have the panels too far from the batteries then.

Renogy now sells a 100w suitcase unit without controller, but I can easily remove my controller to mount in the RV. I will just need a quick connect panel to controller cable.

ChopperBill wrote:

wbwood wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
The 15' cable that comes with the Renogy portables is way too short so I plan to move the controller near the batteries. I really liked someone's idea of having two different length cables with quick connects. I had already replaced the alligator clips with ring/Anderson ends.

I'm debating on the portable or piecing it together. If I piece it together, I will go with some longer cable. The upside of going with the portables is that they will already be hinged together and have a built in stand. The downside is that the controller is mounted on it and thus you don't want to really have the panels too far from the batteries then.

My portable I mounted controller in a box and have a foot away from batteries. Use about 20 feet of cable between panel and controller.

Same idea applied here.

wbwood wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
The 15' cable that comes with the Renogy portables is way too short so I plan to move the controller near the batteries. I really liked someone's idea of having two different length cables with quick connects. I had already replaced the alligator clips with ring/Anderson ends.

I'm debating on the portable or piecing it together. If I piece it together, I will go with some longer cable. The upside of going with the portables is that they will already be hinged together and have a built in stand. The downside is that the controller is mounted on it and thus you don't want to really have the panels too far from the batteries then.

My portable I mounted controller in a box and have a foot away from batteries. Use about 20 feet of cable between panel and controller.

MPPT re-enters the picture due to cable length.

SkiSmuggs wrote:
The 15' cable that comes with the Renogy portables is way too short so I plan to move the controller near the batteries. I really liked someone's idea of having two different length cables with quick connects. I had already replaced the alligator clips with ring/Anderson ends.

I'm debating on the portable or piecing it together. If I piece it together, I will go with some longer cable. The upside of going with the portables is that they will already be hinged together and have a built in stand. The downside is that the controller is mounted on it and thus you don't want to really have the panels too far from the batteries then.

jhilley wrote:
You shouldn't put the batteries and controller in the same compartment. It would be ok with AGM batteries, but not with batteries that give off hydrogen. I have my batteries in the step area and the controller in the storage bay just behind the door. You may be able to relocate the chassis starting battery to the front with a Drop Down Battery Tray

My starting battery is in the engine compartment already...I have two house batteries under the steps. That's all that will fit there.

The 15' cable that comes with the Renogy portables is way too short so I plan to move the controller near the batteries. I really liked someone's idea of having two different length cables with quick connects. I had already replaced the alligator clips with ring/Anderson ends.

jhilley wrote:
Drop Down Battery Tray

That's pretty neat.

You shouldn't put the batteries and controller in the same compartment. It would be ok with AGM batteries, but not with batteries that give off hydrogen. I have my batteries in the step area and the controller in the storage bay just behind the door. You may be able to relocate the chassis starting battery to the front with a Drop Down Battery Tray

BFL13 wrote:


You could have the controller in a waterproof box you make that sits under the steps near the batteries. In that case the controller is portable too so now you need the pigtail connection/disconnects on the battery wires from the controller to connect it all up.

I like that idea. I will have to look tomorrow and see if there is room for such. The battery area is open underneath. I was thinking of running a quick connect and mounting it underneath to the side of the door. That way I can just plug in to the bottom of the coach.