ShoelaceExpress wrote:
So while connected in parallel in my garage, I'd have the batteries connected positive to positive, and negative to negative, and then connect my charger/maintainer to the negative on one battery and positive on the other battery?
When connected in parallel on my trailer, just connect the charge controller in the same way?
When on trailer, you should interconnect batteries Pos to Pos, Neg to Neg, and then connect trailer cables to Pos and Neg on
different batteries. Not on the same battery. Controller should be wired in the same manner. This is called a balanced wiring. Less important during maintenance charging in garage.
As said, many controllers don't like being connected to solar without being connected to battery first. Read the manual - a better model will probably mention this, cheap Chinese thingies might not, but they don't usually put much thought in manual writing - so I would still follow same procedure.
Agreed with Lwiddis - 2*40W is a very small solar. More than enough for storage, hardly enough for living. With only fridge, pumps and few lights it might keep up on a sunny day. $CAD 180 is a good price for Canada. Though, knowing Canadian Tire, you controller is very, very likely bottom of the barrel, keep an eye on it. And on those SAE connectors too - not the best type for outdoors.
