Solar advice. Please help.

[zoom17]

I just had a dual battery system installed and want to add solar. I know absolutely nothing about this stuff. I'm looking for plug and play to charge my second battery while camped. I saw this on Amazon(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F9EO5OO/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza) and thought it was pretty good. I know I will have to add alligator clips from the controller to the panel for a battery connection. Is this the only thing I need to add? Is this a decent system? Any help greatly appreciated.

thanks,

 

[zoom17]

thanks for the help. I want this to charge my second battery while stationary so the alligator clips would be used to charge the second battery. Is this the correct way?

 

[zoom17]

I will only be using this while parked to recharge the battery while camping. Quite often I'm camped for a few days and want to find something to charge it at this time. The panel will not be mounted. As I write this I just realized how big the panel is. Perhaps not what I'm looking for. Well, back to amazon. I would love any suggestions. Thanks again for the help and excuse my stupidity.

 

[AndrewP]

Just get something simple to start with.

The Renogy folding 100 watt panel would be a good place to start. It would still work with battery clips, but that will basically force you to leave the hood up all the time. You could install a ring treminal to the battery that ends in a power pole, then have the output from the charge controller also end in a power pole, and then to hook it up, all you would need to do is plug in the power pole.

 

[zoom17]

thanks. i think I will do this. I leave for the Arctic next week so I don't know if I'll be able to add the battery stuff but in the future that sounds like a good idea.

 

[Yarjammer]

One advantage to permanently mounting your battery side connections is your ability to leave your hood closed while the solar is connected. You can either use a Anderson connector or the likes that is capped and loose while driving (tucked away underhood somewhere) or a morepermanent solution of an external connection. I did the latter with a Zamp SAE connector.

You can see it here, just forward of the antenna. This picture was taken while at a music festival where I really didn't want curious drunks poking around under my hood.

 

[chet6.7]

thanks. i think I will do this. I leave for the Arctic next week so I don't know if I'll be able to add the battery stuff but in the future that sounds like a good idea.

FWIW,the controller that comes with the Renogy folding 100 watt panel is not waterproof,the negative reviews on Amazon are accurate.

 

[1Louder]

thanks for the help. I want this to charge my second battery while stationary so the alligator clips would be used to charge the second battery. Is this the correct way?

Likely no. It depends on what dual battery controller you have. Most you would plug the panel into you main battery then the dual battery controller will send the voltage to the 2nd battery once your first one is charged up. Read the manual for whatever controller you have or at least post up what you have.

I like the Renogy 100 watt suitcase. There are MANY threads on this topic so read through them. I like to be able to keep my vehicle in the shade and move my panel(s) as required. Others want a fixed mount panel on their vehicle. The panel you posted you would have to create some type of case to protect it if you are using it in a mobile application and then packing it up.

I would buy something like this to put on the battery and then run a SAE connector from your controller to make it easy to connect and close your hood.
Battery Tender Quick Disconnect Harness
by Battery Tender
Link: http://amzn.com/B000NCOKZQ

The fixed connector that was mentioned be careful if you install this. The pin outs from a battery should always be Female on the positive side and male from the panel. The cable I referenced shows this. If you have a panel with a controller and SAE plugs it is likely you will need to reverse the wires on the RV SAE Plug so the female connector is on the + side. I had to do this with my Renogy suitcase with controller and the same plug on my trailer which is connected direct to my battery.

Here's a DIY controller box I made to use with my PowerFilm rollout panel. http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...le-Solar-Controller-Box-Setup?highlight=Solar I have never had any heat issues and it can keep the controller out of the rain unlike my Renogy suitcase.

 

[1Louder]

FWIW,the controller that comes with the Renogy folding 100 watt panel is not waterproof,the negative reviews on Amazon are accurate.

Agreed but it is a really nice controller. There is velcro to keep it affixed the backside of the panel vs floating down. If it starts raining I am sure a zip lock bag over the top would be sufficient. I will be proving or disproving this theory in a few weeks when I head out of AZ to the Pacific Northwest.

 

[chet6.7]

I live in the Pac NW,not being waterproof is not acceptable to me.
I should have read the negative comments at Amazon before ordering.
I returned the one I bought,it was not just the lack of being waterproof,though that was a big one to me.The cables used had to be screwed in,it should have been a connector,the cable to the battery was too short,no manual,and the legs seemed flimsy to me.
Opinions differ,my opinion of the Renogy suitcase solar panel is it's poorly designed and made with inferior parts.

 

[parkkitchings]

For what it's worth. I just did a gear review on the Overland Solar 90 watt system. I've been pleased with it.

http://nowheretobetour.blogspot.com/2016/06/gear-review.html#links

 

[1Louder]

I live in the Pac NW,not being waterproof is not acceptable to me.
I should have read the negative comments at Amazon before ordering.
I returned the one I bought,it was not just the lack of being waterproof,though that was a big one to me.The cables used had to be screwed in,it should have been a connector,the cable to the battery was too short,no manual,and the legs seemed flimsy to me.
Opinions differ,my opinion of the Renogy suitcase solar panel is it's poorly designed and made with inferior parts.

Cool I totally get you are not happy with the product. Other than the legs being a possible issue I'm very happy. I setup a short SAE cable connected to the controller. This makes it easy to remove the longer cable which connects to any of my batteries. Most controllers I have seen require you to screw wires in. For anyone future purchasers of any kit like this just get it without a controller and set up a controller of your choice. The DIY setup on my Powerfilm rollout panel works great. This one from Zamp has a waterproof controller and some type of connector to the controller for the cable but it is also $509.00 on Amazon for 20 watts less power. http://www.zampsolar.com/product/80-watt-portable-solar-charging-system-zs-80-p/

My improvements cost me $15.00

At a quick glance there are some waterproof controllers on Amazon that range from $20-$45. Waterproof PWM LS2024RP Solar Panel Charge Controller Regulator 12/24V 20A
by SainSonic
Link: http://amzn.com/B008KWPGJK

Here is a very detailed review on the Renogy kit, http://texasvanagons.com/review-renogy-100w-solar-panel-suitcase/

 

[4x4junkie]

I will only be using this while parked to recharge the battery while camping. Quite often I'm camped for a few days and want to find something to charge it at this time. The panel will not be mounted. As I write this I just realized how big the panel is. Perhaps not what I'm looking for. Well, back to amazon. I would love any suggestions. Thanks again for the help and excuse my stupidity.

The setup I put together has small battery clamps. This allows me to move the unit from vehicle to vehicle (not just my BII, but our RV, and even friend's trucks who don't have solar yet who's fridge has just killed their battery lol).
View attachment 153773
(yes the wire is fused... don't want the fuse police to gang up on me lol)

Best is to have the controller close to the battery as practical, this will provide much better charge current to the battery than having the controller out near the panel (clip the controller power to the battery, set the controller wherever convenient under the hood out of the sun, then plug your panel's lead into the controller). This also avoids the rain thing some of you are mentioning if you set the hood down carefully so as not to pinch the wire (or just run the wire out from underneath).

 

[zoom17]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I ordered the folding Renogy kit and should arrive tomorrow. I did order a longer cord for it also.

Like I said in the beginning, I am truly electrically challenged, for some reason it just doesn't stick in my head nor does it make any sense to me. I can gut a house and remodel it but not the electricity aspect.

Just so I'm clear on this.

I will be ordering a new controller and a battery connector. I'm leaving for the Arctic next week so I don't know if I will have time to install and test everything. I may just be using the Renogy kit as is and connecting it directly to the batttery. I thought that I read somewhere that you attach the solar to the main starting battery and let that battery charge the second battery as opposed to attaching it directly to the second battery (a yellow top).

Thanks again for all the help, I feel so confused.

 

[1Louder]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I ordered the folding Renogy kit and should arrive tomorrow. I did order a longer cord for it also.

Like I said in the beginning, I am truly electrically challenged, for some reason it just doesn't stick in my head nor does it make any sense to me. I can gut a house and remodel it but not the electricity aspect.

Just so I'm clear on this.

I will be ordering a new controller and a battery connector. I'm leaving for the Arctic next week so I don't know if I will have time to install and test everything. I may just be using the Renogy kit as is and connecting it directly to the batttery. I thought that I read somewhere that you attach the solar to the main starting battery and let that battery charge the second battery as opposed to attaching it directly to the second battery (a yellow top).

Thanks again for all the help, I feel so confused.

You can connect it to the 2nd battery if you like and it will get charged. However, I feel the proper way to do it since you have a dual battery controller (you still haven't said what kind and YES this may make a difference) I would plug the panel into your main battery. On a National Luna setup or IBS you will eventually hear the soloenoid click. This then allows the charge from the panel to flow from the main battery which is now sufficiently charged to your 2nd battery.