Forum Discussion

SkiSmuggs's avatar
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Feb 23, 2015

Solar Options

While batting around ideas on expanding a portable solar set up, it occurred to me there may be other options like using the portable to expand roof mount. My wife is adamant about not putting solar on the roof, but we haven't discussed why. I think it is more the expenditure than anything else and what I have in mind may only be a little over $200.
I could put a couple of 100w panels on the roof of my fifth wheel, but not do the permanent wiring so that I would just connect when off grid. If off grid in the shade, I could connect the 100w portable for additional charging. I have a Solar30 controller on order which I plan to mount in the basement near the battery bank. The problem is connecting the roof panels to it when needed and how best to do that without flapping cables. I am not personally comfortable with drilling through the roof for cabling, but okay with the mounting part of it. I could run the cables off the roof and in through the landing gear area to Anderson connectors from the controller, but how to do a clean rooftop connection is where I could use some help. I haven't used MC4 connectors yet, so I don't know how easily they disconnect. I suppose SB50 connectors inside a junction box on the roof might work.
  • SkiSmuggs wrote:
    My wife is adamant about not putting solar on the roof,
    Then let her come up with an alternative.
  • Put the two 100w panels up there not too close to the edge, run the MC4 wire down the fridge vent to the controller. Use MC4 parallel connectors to connect the panels together.
    Compliment DW on how well she is conserving battery power ;)
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Anderson Power POLE Disconnect connectors are popular in the Amateur Radio world...

    Solar PANEL Quick disconnects would be nice as well - Could use panels on the roof or setup on the ground...

    I saw one setup where the solar panels was the widow shades... They were on hinges where you could move up and down and keep in the sun path.

    Have also read about the flexible panels that you can stick almost anywhere...

    Roy Ken
  • TucsonJim wrote:
    MC4 Connectors disconnect very easily.

    So MC4 connectors from the panels into a combiner box near the edge of the roof so I can reach it from a ladder, then connect my cable there and run to the battery compartment. This sounds easy enough for me.

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