Solar options for a Fun Finder/TT
Hello All, I'm new here. I've used the search function and can not really find the answer to this question. I did find one close answer, but it was more of a "look what I did" and not "here's what ...
Forum Discussion
It can be almost that simple, but the missing ingredient is a solar controller in between the panel(s) and battery(ies). You want to look at the max amperage output of the panel and buy a controller that will handle at at least that many amps. The only benefit to going much higher amp rating on the controller than on the panel is if you think you want to add another panel later on.
Example: I bought a 75W panel (4.3A max IIRC) and a Morningstar controller (4.5A rated). I am leaving the panel unattached so I can lay it on the ground in a sunny spot. Panel is wired to controller. Controller is wired to a 7 pin receptacle just like the one on the back of the tow vehicle. So I plug the trailer's pigtail into the receptacle and charge away. I could also have attached a harness to the battery terminals and plugged in directly, but chose (what for me was) the easier path.
For 100W panel or less, an affordable PWM controller is fine. If you want to have much more or especially if you want more than one panel, a MPPT controller may be better. MPPT controllers are more efficient in larger systems and I believe they can allow you more flexibility in adding panels of dissimilar voltages and such.
Example: I bought a 75W panel (4.3A max IIRC) and a Morningstar controller (4.5A rated). I am leaving the panel unattached so I can lay it on the ground in a sunny spot. Panel is wired to controller. Controller is wired to a 7 pin receptacle just like the one on the back of the tow vehicle. So I plug the trailer's pigtail into the receptacle and charge away. I could also have attached a harness to the battery terminals and plugged in directly, but chose (what for me was) the easier path.
For 100W panel or less, an affordable PWM controller is fine. If you want to have much more or especially if you want more than one panel, a MPPT controller may be better. MPPT controllers are more efficient in larger systems and I believe they can allow you more flexibility in adding panels of dissimilar voltages and such.
