Forum Discussion

egm's avatar
egm
Explorer
Jul 22, 2015

solar hook up

I tried to read the SOLAR inputs on the forums... 900+ pages,
... tried to do specific searches... but not smart enough to know the right lingo that would pull up what I need..
so... sorry to be redundant as I am sure others have asked the same questions

- 100w renology kit - will produce approximately 5amp on a good day
- can I hook the battery cable from the supplied kit controller to a 5amp 12v plug in on my outside entertainment panel to charge my house batteries?

I don't know what kind of converter is in the 1999 class C fleetwood Jamboree... Not sure what I would be looking for to know if it would be a factor in doing what I am asking to do... charge with solar thru a 12v plug-in.


solar panel - to controller- battery cable to 12v plug in instead of directly to the battery.

thank you for your help
  • ryanw821's avatar
    ryanw821
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2015
    I wouldn't suggest it, but if it its only putting out 5amp (I did not check any specs, going off your assumption here) technically, it would probably work, but that 5amp plug is likely wired with pretty small gauge wire, you would have more power loss due to the small gauge cable. It's always best to go from charge controller to battery with the thickest gauge and shortest cable as is possible.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 22, 2015
    Can you do it.....
    Yes
    But it would be better to use the heavier wire and clamp it directly to the house batteries
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2015
    I have a portable 70 watt panel(w/ controller) that I connect to this outside 12v outlet, that is connected to the 12v distribution center thru 3 ft of 12 ga wire,....works fine.
  • egm's avatar
    egm
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2015
    Thanks for the inputs.

    I saw these on line and will order some:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/361276143345?item=361276143345&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&rmvSB=true

    quick snap on/off large post battery clamp

    if the 12v plug in is not a long term solution for quick set up...maybe these might work.. anyone using them?

    thinking these snap on clamps on the large post might touch the cable rings over the small post.. any problem if they touch? seems like the big post and little post are connected anyways.. don't think it would be an issue... but...

    trivia question...anyone know why one end of the parallel battery cable is copper, and the other end not? Just curious.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2015
    parallel battery cable
    Can you define that a bit more?

    If I was using portable solar panels, I would hardwire these Anderson Powerpole connectors onto the battery and the module wiring. They are very durable and made for this application.

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