Solar panels

I use a 120 watt folding portable that works very well. I did upgrade the controller, but left it attached to the panels back. It came with 2 connecting wires, 1 with clamps and 1 with the same connectors as the other end. I bought & mounted a short 10 ga wire with the same connector to the battery. I cut it in half to wire the end to the battery & trimetric shunt.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057ZQJ12?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

In my class B my battery box is under the side entrance and visible from under the side. I drilled a small hole in the side and have the connector hanging out there. A quick and easy set up.

I like being able to park in the shade and move the panel out in the sun and adjust it during the day for max solar gathering. I would not want to mount panels on the roof. It worked well for 13 days in FL in Feb.

RJsfishin wrote:
Works either way....12v in or out.....direct to batteries.

I went down that portable road,....it wasn't good.

Where did you find the fitting?

JiminDenver wrote:
T.. after 3 years of portables I was glad to have my main system mounted.

x2. I think many of us have done the portable thing and got tired of it real fast.

There is something in being able to collect from first light to the last light, especially in the low sun and short hours of winter. That said after 3 years of portables I was glad to have my main system mounted. Even my portable is mounted on my tow vehicle which gets moved three times a day to keep it lined up.

Works either way....12v in or out.....direct to batteries.

I went down that portable road,....it wasn't good.

I mounted two of my panels on the side of my coach. If that side is toward the sun I can leave them as is. By removing two pins on each panel I can tilt them up or remove them and set them in the sun.

Moved from Technology Corner

Pianotuna, is right on. Portable panels, as in take them out then put them away, is a pain. OH OH! Want to go to town for lunch? Can't leave them out....put them away and upon return put them back out again.

Sorry, 'tuna - I'm a fan of portables! (feel like I should add "Charlie" in their someplace...). At least in the East (read: forested) I regularly need to move panels to chase photons. While travelling the alternator seems to handle recharging just fine (BTW, did you get yours repaired?). And if you use a cover while stored, well...the roof is..covered! So, portables do have their place - maybe a bit more set-up/take down, etc., but they work well in my situation! ST