Portable solar question
After researching for what seems like forever I have decided that I should try portable solar to see if solar is something I really need before I mount panels, wiring, controllers, etc in my two campi...
Forum Discussion
As far as voltage drop- I look at it even if at 50%, if its in the sun and sending charge mute point....
I replaced our Renogys 100w suitcase 15' of 1.5mm (15ga?) with 20' 14ga (2.08mm) extension cord I cut from a 50' cord. Marginally better than using the included tray cable. I had cut into 20 & 30 foot lengths thinking Id use shortest as possible where I could. The 20' section is attached to panel. Controller is in camper. So have 20' of reach. But plugging in additional 30' section of cord between, 50'total plus 6' pigtail from controller, I only measured about 0.2-0.4 volt drop? almost always see 4.7 to 5+ amps at controller.
Rewiring portable I think worth the effort. Putting the controller at the battery side allows the higher voltage of panel output to push thru extended length of extension, offsetting/helping with any voltage drop. Controller out of elements and its output distance to batteries minimized.
I replaced our Renogys 100w suitcase 15' of 1.5mm (15ga?) with 20' 14ga (2.08mm) extension cord I cut from a 50' cord. Marginally better than using the included tray cable. I had cut into 20 & 30 foot lengths thinking Id use shortest as possible where I could. The 20' section is attached to panel. Controller is in camper. So have 20' of reach. But plugging in additional 30' section of cord between, 50'total plus 6' pigtail from controller, I only measured about 0.2-0.4 volt drop? almost always see 4.7 to 5+ amps at controller.
Rewiring portable I think worth the effort. Putting the controller at the battery side allows the higher voltage of panel output to push thru extended length of extension, offsetting/helping with any voltage drop. Controller out of elements and its output distance to batteries minimized.
