Solar prep

[Jimbee]

Hey All,

I see many new campers now are coming with a solar plug port outside for portable panels. Do you need to use a charge controller between your panel and the outside plug port or does the on-board camper charger handle the task of managing the panel's voltage swings?

Thanks!

[arkie_guide]

The wire size, depends on the wattage and distance. So if you are running 10 amps on 12 volts dc - 120 watts, #14 AWG is fine - if concerned run #12 awg. On RV's the distance is not, many times in the picture.Basic electricity is simple - 10 amps @12v DC = 120 watts, 10 amps at 120
v is 1200 watts are in DC = 100 amps.

[Boon_Docker]

westend wrote:

How skimpy is the wiring beyond these solar ports?

If you're referencing the wire that connects from the RV connection port to the batteries, it will probably be 12 AWG. could even be 14 AWG.

Usually 12 AWG, pretty skimpy.

[westend]

How skimpy is the wiring beyond these solar ports?

If you're referencing the wire that connects from the RV connection port to the batteries, it will probably be 12 AWG. could even be 14 AWG.

[Jimbee]

Thanks All,

I figured the solar prep packages didn't include an on board charge controller but wasn't sure. Congrats to Lwiddis, he won a bet I wasn't aware of LOL, but brings up a good point. How skimpy is the wiring beyond these solar ports?

Thanks again!

[Lwiddis]

I guess I won the bet.

[ulvik]

afidel wrote:

Jimbee wrote:
Hey All,

I see many new campers now are coming with a solar plug port outside for portable panels. Do you need to use a charge controller between your panel and the outside plug port or does the on-board camper charger handle the task of managing the panel's voltage swings?

Thanks!

They're a way to sell overpriced panels, they use a proprietary connector so you have to buy the panel from the manufacturer at ~300% markup. The best way to go IMHO is to get a panel with integrated charge controller and the plug listed here.

Agree 100% I bought a Renogy 200 watt solar kit for less than $250 and did the same thing. twice the watts for about half the price. If you have the storage space in the bed of your truck on in your RV that is the way I would go.

[Lwiddis]

Jimbee, read some online tutorials on solar before you buy anything. It will save you some money. I'll bet a nickel you don't know the gauge of the wire "pre-installed" or why that's important.

[afidel]

Jimbee wrote:
Hey All,

I see many new campers now are coming with a solar plug port outside for portable panels. Do you need to use a charge controller between your panel and the outside plug port or does the on-board camper charger handle the task of managing the panel's voltage swings?

Thanks!

They're a way to sell overpriced panels, they use a proprietary connector so you have to buy the panel from the manufacturer at ~300% markup. The best way to go IMHO is to get a panel with integrated charge controller and the plug listed here.

[Sandia_Man]

We have both a portable and roof mounted solar panels, rigs that come with an exterior port are just leads that are directly wired to the battery bank. At least from what I've seen and from the Renogy portable solar suitcase we own, a charge controller is already included and you would just plug into the port. We don't have a port on our rig but I have added a set of wires that I plug our solar suitcase into without having to remove battery covers. Due to parking in shade and the ability to easily adjust solar suitcase as the sun moves, in many instances it outperforms our roof-mounted solar panels although there are about half the wattage.

[2oldman]

yes, no.