Solar panels

[TBammer]

I am looking to wire in 2 Renogy solar panels, but I am not going to mount them on the roof. I woul.d rather be able to set them out depending on the the sun angle I bought a kit with a controller and 2 panels. Any advise on wiring this into the existing 12 volt system and leaving plugs on the outside to plug the panels into the system? Not sure of the best location for the controller and where to splice into the existing wiring, and if I need a switch to isolate the panels when plugging them in and unplugging. The fuse and breaker panel is on the bed pedestal. Any advise would be appreciated.

[red31]

TBammer wrote:

Where did you find the fitting?

https://www.solardealz.com/Zamp-Solar-Roof-Sidewall-Solar-Plug-p/zs-rv-roof-sidewall.htm

[steveh27]

I use a 120 watt folding portable that works very well. I did upgrade the controller, but left it attached to the panels back. It came with 2 connecting wires, 1 with clamps and 1 with the same connectors as the other end. I bought & mounted a short 10 ga wire with the same connector to the battery. I cut it in half to wire the end to the battery & trimetric shunt.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057ZQJ12?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

In my class B my battery box is under the side entrance and visible from under the side. I drilled a small hole in the side and have the connector hanging out there. A quick and easy set up.

I like being able to park in the shade and move the panel out in the sun and adjust it during the day for max solar gathering. I would not want to mount panels on the roof. It worked well for 13 days in FL in Feb.

[TBammer]

RJsfishin wrote:
Works either way....12v in or out.....direct to batteries.

I went down that portable road,....it wasn't good.

Where did you find the fitting?

[2oldman]

JiminDenver wrote:
T.. after 3 years of portables I was glad to have my main system mounted.

x2. I think many of us have done the portable thing and got tired of it real fast.

[JiminDenver]

There is something in being able to collect from first light to the last light, especially in the low sun and short hours of winter. That said after 3 years of portables I was glad to have my main system mounted. Even my portable is mounted on my tow vehicle which gets moved three times a day to keep it lined up.

[RJsfishin]

Works either way....12v in or out.....direct to batteries.

I went down that portable road,....it wasn't good.

[Tom_M1]

I mounted two of my panels on the side of my coach. If that side is toward the sun I can leave them as is. By removing two pins on each panel I can tilt them up or remove them and set them in the sun.

[1492]

Moved from Technology Corner

[Lwiddis]

Pianotuna, is right on. Portable panels, as in take them out then put them away, is a pain. OH OH! Want to go to town for lunch? Can't leave them out....put them away and upon return put them back out again.

[loggenrock]

Sorry, 'tuna - I'm a fan of portables! (feel like I should add "Charlie" in their someplace...). At least in the East (read: forested) I regularly need to move panels to chase photons. While travelling the alternator seems to handle recharging just fine (BTW, did you get yours repaired?). And if you use a cover while stored, well...the roof is..covered! So, portables do have their place - maybe a bit more set-up/take down, etc., but they work well in my situation! ST

[KD4UPL]

Controller as close to batteries as possible. Use a fuse in the positive wire. I don't know the size of your panels or controller so not sure on wire size.
You will want to make the wire between the panels and the controller as short and as big a gauge as you can. This will minimize loosing power to the resistance in the wire.

[pianotuna]

Wire them to a controller that is connected to the battery bank. The controller should not be in the same compartment--but should be as close to the battery bank as humanly possible.

I'm not a fan of using portable panels. Here are some reasons why.

Panels are large.

By not mounting them on the roof many hours of sunlight while trundling down the road will be lost.

Adds to the list of items to do when striking camp.

Wind and panels don't get along too well.

Recharging while the RV is in storage won't happen with portable panels.