Solar Power Wiring Question

[Dave Bennett]

At OVX 12 I bought one of these for $400: http://www.adventure-power.com/80-Watt-Foldout-Solar-Panel-w-Charge-Controller-AP-1500-80.htm

The alligator clips while universal are very unsafe due to the fact that there is NO FUSE on this harness. I had a major drama as a result and need to fix this right the first time.

Which brings me to my next project: Hard wiring the harness so that it is FUSED so that the panel can be quickly and easily plugged into via an external waterproof plug.

I have a National Luna Power Pack in the FlipPac and a Blue Sea fuse block with negative bus already in place: http://tacodoc.com/?page_id=54

Can I run the wires from the charge controller to the Blue Sea and use this fused location or must I connect the wires from the charge controller directly to the battery terminals with an inline fuse there? Please advise.

Any links to wiring harnesses, fuses or plugs that I need to quickly sort this out are much appreciated!

 

[Corey]

I rather like the wiring harnesses I got from Adventure Trailers.
They are waterproof.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...amping-overlanding-trips-installed-6-27-2009?

 

[Dave Bennett]

I rather like the wiring harnesses I got from Adventure Trailers.
They are waterproof.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...amping-overlanding-trips-installed-6-27-2009?

Thanks Corey. Yes, I like that as well. Saw this on TEOTWAKI's FAQ page here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/60087-Solar-Power-FAQ

My biggest question is the wire run from the controller and whether or not I can go to the blue sea fuse block (super clean install and easiest) or do I need to go straight to the battery pos and neg terminals. What size inline fuse does that 8w panel need?

Trying to fast track this project ASAP vice falling down the rabbit hole of research on the net... hoping some of you bigger brains chime in.

 

[Corey]

Not sure if you can go straight or not to the Blue Sea, or best to the battery.
Martyn from AT helped me make the decision on what cables to go with, then later Goal Zero made an adapter cable so I can charge their Ranger 350 battery pack/inverter right from the solar panel since my panel is a different brand than theirs.

 

[UK4X4]

you can do either as long as the blue sea connects directly to the battery- the blue sea just acts a distribution point on the positive rail
your wiring is short so losses are not really measurable

 

[elcoyote]

Dave, you can go directly to the battery with no fuse. This will have the least voltage drop. Fuse not required. For 80 watts use 12 GA wire.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

[trump]

Dave, you can go directly to the battery with no fuse.

That's what caused this mess in the first place, Mario. Turned that whole length of wire into a giant heating coil that nearly set the truck on fire.

 

[timber]

Dave on my setup i did run from the controller to one of the fused terminals on the blue sea block which is connected directly to my auxiliary battery, it works fine and I used a 10 amp fuse for my 85 watt panel.

 

[4RunAmok]

We're currently outfitting a boatload of cars for a law enforcement agency here in CA... The light bars come with two solar panels mounted to the top. The panels get wired to their own charge controllers, then each charge controller gets its own spot in our Patrol Power fuse block, which is hooked to the battery.

In short, panel to controller, controller to fuse block, fuse block to battery.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Thanks guys, I'll document this for a reference once it's completed

 

[Borrego60]

I would do what Mitch says. Just purchased a 60w Powerfilm and controller,hope to have it up and running by next weekend.

 

[4RunAmok]

I would do what Mitch says.

...What a wonderful philosophy ya have!




Guess the movie!

 

[Borrego60]

Doc I just received my f-16 solar panel yesterday, it is the updated unit from the f-15 powerfilm. I am going to install it this weekend using a powerlet PTB-001 for a hard mount on the outside of the nose box. I like this because it has a SAE connector and a water proof cover. On the inside of the box it will go to the controller and then to the Blue sea fuse box then to the battery. I should have some pictures up this Sunday.

 

[Rotorgeek]

Dave,
Any updates on this yet? I'm planning a very similar setup to what you have. I have a National Luna PP as well. I was planning on mounting a charge controller under the lid and wiring that to the battery debating on fuse location (before or after the controller). I'm currently wiring all the extras in my truck with Anderson power poles and was thinking on using green and black connectors on the solar side to remind me later that it was an input.
I do have to keep the PP and solar equip mobile as I will be using it for portable Ham stuff and other hobbies.

Micah

 

[4RunAmok]

The fuse would go between the charge controller and the battery.