Solar wiring question

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jonny,

Since you are probably going pwm for a controller, the wiring that matters is from the controller to the battery bank, unless there is a "battery voltage sensor wire" for the controller. (Tristar does have battery sense wires--and so does Rogue)

Just as for an inverter, the controller, in an ideal world, will be as close to the battery bank as is humanly possible without it being in the same compartment. And again, just like an inverter, the size of the wire from the controller to the battery bank is better if it is oversize.

To put it another way, for pwm, voltage drop from the panels is mostly a non issue, but voltage drop between the controller to the battery bank is mission critical.

How many watts are you planning on?

Hi Tuna.

I went with the Xantrex C35. It says 6 gauge is recommended. Would I be able to fit a 4 gauge connection to it? Initially Im only going to be running one 120watt evergreen but I would like to wire suitable for at least 3 panels.

The wiring plan I am beginning to settle on was a junction box on the roof with a 10guage to 6 or 4 guage terminal. Running that through the roof of the bedroom at the front of the trailer and then going to the controller on the backside of the front wall of the trailer. Then going 4 gauge to the batteries which would be less than 5 feet away.

How much space do I need around the controller, is it like a converter where it can get very hot? My trailer has a cover over the propane tanks on the front but it isnt very protected. I would guess its better to have the controller inside the trailer than under this cover outside?