Keep in mind the original owner faced the same problem and decided that the losses on a 160 watt system were not worth the extra cost and work of heaver wiring. Assuming that the system did what he wanted it to do; there was no need to improve on it.
One would have to look at the power loss in the present system’s wiring vs. the planned system’s losses and decide if you need the improved efficiency.
A boondocker may certainly need as efficient a solar power system a possible. But a shore power user, who’s solar power is used to top off the battery between trips, can afford a few extra hours of charging time.
The question becomes just how critical to your end goal is maximum efficiency and is it worth the cost.
