Solar Kit

smkettner wrote:
Nice kit, looks plug and play. But how long is the included MC4 cable to reach the controller?

2 20' #10 so more than enough.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions & comments. You guys are always here to lend a hand. I do appreciate every comment. It's good to get help from those with experience that I don't have. I have been dry camping without solar for over 16 yrs so this is just an addition to reduce the run time on the gen. Not to eliminate it. I will only be using my inv for watching a movie in the evenings once in a while. So I will not be expanding. I was just looking for a supplement source of charging. I need to recoat my roof before installing it. That will take place sometime next week. I currently have a small solar maintainer for storage purposes when not using the trailer which will be removed.

Another question is should I install any fuses between the panels & controller or between the controller & batt or both???

64thunderbolt wrote:
The kit came with #10 wire 20' with all the connectors which should be ample. My biggest concern is where to mount the controller. Someone said NOT to mount in the batt area due to degassing. WHY? I guess I could put it in the basement compartment and wire through the wall to the batt.

Do a Google search on Sulfuric acid and corrosive. You still need 14.8V to top charge the battery... The charge controller in the kit most likely will not get the job done. It's the cheapest they could find to add to the kit to maximize their profit, due to the uninformed consumer not knowing any better.

Generator and basic charge controller will take care of charging to 85 or 90% State of charge, if recharging with gen in the AM. If your solar is going supplement your generator, it needs to get the job done, and that is top charging daily, to 14.8-15.0V, probably the last 10-15% SOC to 97-99% SOC.

Nice set-up for charging a couple of batteries, should be ample on most days. We have a similar sized system for our pair of 6 volt batteries and they are effectively charge daily, but we do the same thing and use our genny for our high amperage items with our Iota delivering a 14.8 VDC bulk during the short duration.

Will there be any confusion between solar & gen while running the gen? Do I need a transfer switch?

Hi,

Another reason for not mounting the controller in the battery bank area is risk of sparking. Hydrogen gas mixed with air is explosive.

NinerBikes wrote:

64thunderbolt wrote:
The kit came with #10 wire 20' with all the connectors which should be ample. My biggest concern is where to mount the controller. Someone said NOT to mount in the batt area due to degassing. WHY? I guess I could put it in the basement compartment and wire through the wall to the batt.

Do a Google search on Sulfuric acid and corrosive. You still need 14.8V to top charge the battery... The charge controller in the kit most likely will not get the job done. It's the cheapest they could find to add to the kit to maximize their profit, due to the uninformed consumer not knowing any better.

I will be using the gen morning & evening for coffee & cooking. My powermax boondocker 55a will give them a shot of 14.8. Like I said I am supplementing. The controller only does 14.4

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Another reason for not mounting the controller in the battery bank area is risk of sparking. Hydrogen gas mixed with air is explosive.

Thanks

64thunderbolt wrote:
Will there be any confusion between solar & gen while running the gen? Do I need a transfer switch?

The solar controller and the converter will be in parallel on the battery bank. They do not interfere with each other and will add their amps at times.

Only need a fuse at the battery pos for the solar. No need between panel and controller, but it is useful to have a disconnect switch there, and some use a fuse as their switch.

Hi,

My solar system "plays well" with the alternator, and the OEM PD 40 amp wizard equipped converter. It doesn't do the same with the Magnum inverter/charger, but I can "work around" by toggling an equalization on the controller.

64thunderbolt wrote:
Will there be any confusion between solar & gen while running the gen? Do I need a transfer switch?