Solar panels mounted and portable (hybrid?)
Any ideas on the best way to connect my portable solar panel kit to my 5th wheel given my configuration and use case? Here is my situation: I am installing 3 * 250 Watt Panels on the roof wired ...
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Like stated above, connect the roof mounted panels to the controller. Leave that controller alone to do it's thing.
Connect the portable panels to the battery via it's own controller, probably a PWM at the battery location, not near the panels. This will allow for the voltage drop across the wire going to the battery from the portable panels.
For wiring, I would recommend #10 romex, probably the grey wire solar at Home Depot rated for direct burial and UV protected.
I have never had a problem with my 400 watt roof mounted solar system keeping my battery full, except while in Yosemite Valley, where it is super covered in trees. I don't mine parking in partial sun, as the solar panels cover much of my roof, shading it, and me under the solar panels.
Personally, I would skip setting up the portable pair of panels, and would mount them to the roof, wire them to another PWM controller, and leave them there. If you are in such deep shade, that the extra panels would really help, run a generator once a week for a couple of hours. Much easier than fiddling with the solar panels. And it is only for a couple of weeks a year.
Have fun camping!
Fred.
Connect the portable panels to the battery via it's own controller, probably a PWM at the battery location, not near the panels. This will allow for the voltage drop across the wire going to the battery from the portable panels.
For wiring, I would recommend #10 romex, probably the grey wire solar at Home Depot rated for direct burial and UV protected.
I have never had a problem with my 400 watt roof mounted solar system keeping my battery full, except while in Yosemite Valley, where it is super covered in trees. I don't mine parking in partial sun, as the solar panels cover much of my roof, shading it, and me under the solar panels.
Personally, I would skip setting up the portable pair of panels, and would mount them to the roof, wire them to another PWM controller, and leave them there. If you are in such deep shade, that the extra panels would really help, run a generator once a week for a couple of hours. Much easier than fiddling with the solar panels. And it is only for a couple of weeks a year.
Have fun camping!
Fred.
