LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
On my set up I go directly from the controller to the battery because there is where the charge is needed. Good for the past 3 years
Solar Power Wiring Question
- Thread starter Dave Bennett
- Start date
4RunAmok
Explorer
Heh, electricity is like water. And unless you have valves (switches and diodes), it's flowing EVERYWHERE instantly.
And unless you have a fuse between that charge controller and your battery, you are creating a fire hazard... Because even though normally, electricity is flowing down from the panel, when the panel is unhooked, that line is still hot with 12 volts from its connection to the battery.
Now I'm not sure if charge controllers use diodes in them to prevent voltage from flowing through them towards the panel, and I assume they do, otherwise the panels could become a load on the battery at night, but that assumption would cause me to put the charge controller as close to the system as possible, whether I connected the controller directly to the fuse block, or to the battery itself.
Tacodoc's charge controller is on the solar panel itself, which meant the line from the battery has to be long to reach the controller, which also meant that long line was hot all the time, and without a fuse, a small pinch is a huge problem.
And unless you have a fuse between that charge controller and your battery, you are creating a fire hazard... Because even though normally, electricity is flowing down from the panel, when the panel is unhooked, that line is still hot with 12 volts from its connection to the battery.
Now I'm not sure if charge controllers use diodes in them to prevent voltage from flowing through them towards the panel, and I assume they do, otherwise the panels could become a load on the battery at night, but that assumption would cause me to put the charge controller as close to the system as possible, whether I connected the controller directly to the fuse block, or to the battery itself.
Tacodoc's charge controller is on the solar panel itself, which meant the line from the battery has to be long to reach the controller, which also meant that long line was hot all the time, and without a fuse, a small pinch is a huge problem.
4RunAmok
Explorer
That's a GREAT idea! Does plugging in the 110v automatically override having 12v plugged in, or do you have to unplug the 12v when you connect to shore power?
If it isn't automatic, we can do so with a relay
I did this for a friends HAM Radio "Go-box"
Borrego60
Rendezvous Conspiracy
All done, still need to tidy up abit, Pictures are reversed, took out old wiring and re did everything so only two wires go to the battery, the main 6ga for charging and a 10ga from the fuse box to supply power to the trailers systems. Solar works great see picture of the volt meter giving it the juice. Everything is fused from the blue sea fuse box to the trailer and power going in is also fused. I also ran 110 to the fridge picture on that later.
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Borrego60
Rendezvous Conspiracy
It was a brilliant revelation, Richard! Who gave you the idea?!
All mine, Did not know if I could do it at first I had to look at the back of the plug for the 110, restripped the wires twisted them as a pair and reinstalled back into the plug. Then ran the 110 cord to the bottom back side of the nose box 1 hole and groumet and then 1 into the frame same way. I drilled a 7/8 inch hole from the main box into the top of the frame,painted the bare metal on all holes and again a groumet. Drilled two holes for the electrical box same box as the 12v power box AT installs. fished up the 110 cable to the box used the box clamps to secure it nice and snug. I had an old cord same as the fridges cord cut to length and installed that to the box and wire twist nuts from there. I wanted the box kinda of hidden so I removed the Engel fridge mount did all my work,fixed the cords to the fridge with some clamps and done. I started this Sat morning and just finished up cleaning the garage. SO I drilled holes for solar weather tight plug,installed controller,110v wiring and box,reinstalled a new stream light charger sleeve re did all the other wiring,new sea fuse box,some painting of bare metal groumets ect, fired up the system no problems no blown fuses melted wire ect all good and ready for next weekends camp out.
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Dave Bennett
Adventurist
Almost done, should have pics soon. This project will be super safe and weatherproof when I'm done