Silly solar Questions

EllieThomas wrote:
How many watts solar should I get to use with the 7 pin adapter should I go that route? You've said that larger won't work well, so what is a good amount to use with through that cord?

The 7-pin cord #4 pin charging wire is maybe #10 or less? Anyway it is long and thin. Means low amps. That is why your truck doesn't get much done charging via 7-pin (but also that is because the truck wiring is also long and thin)

So the ideal is to have the solar controller close to the batts on fat enough wire and the longer run from controller to array (panel) can stand more voltage drop along its length and you still get your amps to the battery.

So if using the 7-pin cord on the trailer, you are already placing the controller out past that, farther away on whatever fatness wiring that may be. You are losing amps right there, but it is an easy connection point. then you po from controller to panel with whatever that loses. You must keep the controller out of the rain, so have it under cover however you place it out from the trailer's 7-pin cord.

I will take a total WAG and say you could run a 100w panel from the 7-pin connection where the controller is past the trailer's 7-pin cord somewhere. That is because a 100w panel can do about 6.3 amps at best, and that is what my 7-pin can get to the batteries from the truck's alternator through that long thin wire (but that includes the truck' part of that wiring)

So--if you really want the most form any size panel, put the controller close to the batteries (remove it from the panel kit if that is where it is up by the panels) keep it from the rain, and then run longer wire to where the panels are so they are in the sun.