Solar Charger & Truck Power Question
I've recently installed a Go Power! GP-PWM-30 30 Amp Solar Regulator because the previous owner had solar installed but no charge controller (he just had a simple diode or voltage regulator that conne...
Forum Discussion
adamis wrote:
... I realized that my batteries had not been properly topped off while charging from the truck while driving like I assumed they would ...
Sam Spade wrote:
If a battery is not coming up to a full charge, it is not getting ENOUGH power ...
Sam is correct, but more specifically, the house bank is likely not getting enough voltage ! This is NOT an uncommon problem and it is cause by voltage drop in the cabling from the vehicle power source. Larger wire would help. You may have the best solution by routing the power from the vehicle to the solar charge controller !
I know nothing about your charge controller or solar array, so I have to start by asking what is the typical output voltage of the array and what is the minimum INPUT voltage of the charge controller ?
I will ASSUME that the charge controller wants >15V input. Well, you are NOT going to get that from your vehicle. You need a DC-DC step up/boost converter !
You can buy a "bare circuit board" version on eBay or Amazon for <$30. Mount it in a case WITH A FAN in a DRY (not under hood) location. Use 10 gauge wires and a fuse back to vehicle battery. I would also insert a relay in line that was controlled by a signal from the vehicle "hot when running" source. Set the output voltage for >16V.
Your biggest problem will be finding a switch that will accommodate ring terminals that will work on 10-12 gauge wires.
I would NOT try to hook the second output of the charge controller back to the vehicle battery.
