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Old 04-11-2014, 06:14 PM   #11
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

1.7-1.9A is better than nothing, But, it seems low for a 100W panel. In full, direct sun, with panel aimed directly at the sun I would expect 5-6A. Partial shade and not aimed properly could reduce that to less than 2A.

What do you have for a controller? Or is the panel just connected directly and the clips are the control?

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Old 04-11-2014, 06:24 PM   #12
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TexGX
I tested it today. When plugged into the 12v outlet next to sink, it read 1.7 - 1.9 amps on my link 10. Is this good for a 100w panel? Will it be better hooked directly to battery? I will need to buy a floor jack so I can lower the battery and add the connection. I did find a rubber end piece that perfectly fits onto the end of the plug to keep it clean under the van.
That may be low. And there are some considerations. The Link10 is reading amps flowing back into the battery. It may be that the panel is producing 20v; the controller gets that down to about 13-14 for charging purposes, but depending on the state of your battery it may only be accepting electricity at a certain rate, so the amps might measure kinda low. So that number doesn't necessarily give you a good picture of how well the panels themselves are performing. For a better idea check the voltage coming off the panels themselves.

And if you do use a Link10, in order for it to operate properly you have to wire your solar through it, not directly to the battery. There should be a shunt somewhere. Check the documentation.
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Old 04-11-2014, 06:33 PM   #13
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Definitely low, but only if there was no shade on the panel.

To get an appreciation how detrimental shade can be on a solar panel, look at Jage's thread here. This thread hasn't come up for years, so it's probably a 'good read' for most people.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7644


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Old 04-11-2014, 06:59 PM   #14
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

As Rob points out it also depends on the batteries state of charge. A battery at 50% will accept more of a charge than one sitting at 95%. It does make a big difference. Some of this also varies with the type charge controller though. The only time I see the max amperage flow from the solar through my amp meter is when the batteries have been taken low and the panels are in good sun, clean, the temp is optimal, and they are in the best pointing position.
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Old 04-11-2014, 10:41 PM   #15
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Ok that explains a lot. The battery was completely charged as I had just unplugged it. This was in full sun, but did notice a drop when the shade would hit it. I had it plugged into the 12v outlet near the sink. I will be connecting it directly to the battery soon. It seems it would be better to test when everything is not fully charged. The charger on the panel showed it was fully charged which may be why it was only reading 1.7amp as it was in float mode. I will keep ya'll updated. I normally camp then move, camp then move, but at Expo the truck will be sitting for a few days and that will be a good test.

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Old 04-12-2014, 07:17 AM   #16
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Yes, before you drop the battery, if you want the link 10 to measure the charge current you will not be able to wire it directly to the battery, Sportsmobile used pretty good gauge wire going to their 12 volt sockets, so the voltage drop from the socket to battery probably not going to be the big factor(less then 1%).

As Rob said for your going to have to have your ground wire on load side of the shunt for the link 10 to work.
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Old 04-12-2014, 07:26 AM   #17
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

I guess ya'll are saying there is a way to connect to the system so my controls (Link 10) show the charge. Anyone have a picture of where I should hook too? I will look at the electrical guts later today and see if I can figure anything out. I am guessing the connection would be inside and I would need to run some form of connect to the outside. Maybe a weather proof 12v outlet that I could just plug into. It would be nice if I could get 12v power from it as well.

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Old 04-12-2014, 08:05 AM   #18
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Does your portable solar panel have a solar controller attached to it?
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Old 04-12-2014, 08:16 AM   #19
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Yes. It is a plug and play unit. It came with the alligator clips or the 12v plug (male) attachment.
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Old 04-12-2014, 12:29 PM   #20
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TexGX
I guess ya'll are saying there is a way to connect to the system so my controls (Link 10) show the charge. Anyone have a picture of where I should hook too? .

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