Installing solar, got a question...

[Rotaxxx]

Well I will make this as short as possible! Just bought a truck camper to take to the mountains when we go, we will be boon docking the whole time when we go. So I need to install a solar panel to keep the battery charged up. I took al the amp readings and did all the math and found I need a 100w panel to get me by. I ordered it up, also ordered a charge controller as well. To do the install I had figured I would just remove the wires from the battery, tie in the charge controller to the battery, then tie the wires that where previously on the battery to the load side of the controller. But then I got thinking when I am plugged into shore power there would be 12V coming from the load wires from the converter to charge the battery. So there will be 12v getting to the charge controller load side. Will it fry the charge controller for the solar panel? How does everyone wire up their solar panels? Thanks all!

[Almot]

CA Traveler wrote:
Wonder if they are concerned about their controller overcharging a charged battery?

Low-end controllers certainly have their quirks but I still don't get it.

It could overcharge when controller is set to push 14.x volt all the time, and there are indeed controllers that do this, but those usually can be adjusted manually to 13.x as well.

Most cheap controllers have 2 fixed voltage points, bringing the voltage to 14.x and then dropping to 13.x either immediately or after a fixed time. It won't overcharge... until it poops out and starts pumping 17.x all the time. Could happen to any controller, though.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Me thinks some folks are confusing LOAD DIVERSION

With BATTERY + and - on controllers

Read instructions. If the charge controller instructions are CHINGLISH specials, get help to follow installation and use guides step-by-step

[Harvey51]

100 watts is quite adequate for us. We also get some charging from the engine when driving but even when not driving for a few days the batteries never dip below 80% of full charge.

I don’t understand why I would need more solar if larger batteries were installed. Surely higher capacity batteries would make charging less urgent.

[scrubjaysnest]

quoated wrong post.

[RJsfishin]

Quit making it so difficult.
Connect controller to battery, and panel to controller.
If properly installed, you don't need all the fuses breakes and stuff.
Its plug and play. Forget the converter...shore power, it will take care of itself.

[Fishbreath]

Additionally, you should have a circuit breaker in-line between the panel and the controller and one between the controller and the battery.
This is how Solar City recommends setting up the system. They use mini breakers in a mini box.
At a minimum, you should have a switch that allows you to turn off the power from the controller to the battery. Some charge controllers mandate that the panel be switched off before removing the battery. (Your manufacturer may differ)
Bill

[CA_Traveler]

Wind River wrote:
I turn off the solar panels when plugged into shore power per Renogy's recommendation.

Wonder if they are concerned about their controller overcharging a charged battery? Or something else?

[Lwiddis]

“I took al the amp readings and did all the math and found I need a 100w panel to get me by”

“Getting by” isn’t fun. One solar watt per battery amp hour minimum but for mountain camping 1.5 would be better.

[Rbertalotto]

I turn off the solar panels when plugged into shore power

Not sure why you would do this. Never heard of this before.

[Boon_Docker]

Wind River wrote:
I turn off the solar panels when plugged into shore power per Renogy's recommendation.

Never heard of anything like that before.

[time2roll]

Don't use the load side of the controller. Don't remove the TC main feed from the battery. Just connect the main controller output to the battery and the panel to the controller input. Done. No reason to adjust anything if plugged in.

[Ava]

I just put a new solar controller in mine and when plugged in it just shows the voltage from the converter. I haven’t run my generator yet with the new controller but I don’t think there will be any problem.

[brulaz]

Usually the load side of solar controller cannot handle the current draw of you trailer loads. I don't use that part of mine.

Just leave the load wires on the battery as they were. And add the charge wires.

[CA_Traveler]

Most charge controllers play together well. I might have solar, alternator and charger (shore or gen powered) all at the same time. Some solar controllers require special care, however.