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Old 04-11-2014, 09:45 AM   #1
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Where to hook portable solar?

I have a 2003 RB50. I have a portable 100w solar panel I want to use. It comes with its own controller, so I just need to decide where to connect it. I am thinking directly to the house battery. I looked underneath and see where I could connect the connector and then just plug in the cord to it. Is this the best or should I connect near the inverter? Thanks for any help.

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Old 04-11-2014, 09:54 AM   #2
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

I have heard you can just plug into any 12v socket and even though it's in reverse it will charge all the batteries on the circuit ... right or wrong? (I have also heard you can use a house 110 generator the same way to power the plugs in the house... ????).

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Old 04-11-2014, 10:31 AM   #3
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by salivan
I (I have also heard you can use a house 110 generator the same way to power the plugs in the house... ????).

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OK, that is a big no no, that should never be recommended.

As far as connecting a portable solar, I assume that you only have portable solar and do not have a existing hard wired solar controller. In that case I would hook it as directly to the battery as possible to minimize voltage drop ( although depending on the size of wire from the inverter to battery, that could be minimal) . Not sure what kind of connector you are talking about.

While you could plug into a 12volt outlet , and "back feed so say", that could add some additional voltage loss with the added cable length.
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Old 04-11-2014, 12:18 PM   #4
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by salivan
. . . I have also heard you can use a house 110 generator the same way to power the plugs in the house... ???? . . .

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Not unless you want to fry your friendly electric company lineman or someone in your household.

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Old 04-11-2014, 12:26 PM   #5
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Thank you ... it certainly was not a recommendation.
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Old 04-11-2014, 12:54 PM   #6
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

I will be purchasing a portable solar kit soon and have thought about how to connect it to my house batteries. My batteries are located underneath my gaucho bed, so my plan was wire some sort of connector to the battery and mount the connector under the van, near the door or side. That way, you can put your solar panel out and connect it to the connector instead of having to connect it to the battery each time.
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Old 04-11-2014, 01:51 PM   #7
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikracer
some sort of connector to the battery
This style of quick connect would work well for that purpose.

http://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Stuff-Win...EC65B4JMJCDQ7H
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Old 04-11-2014, 02:33 PM   #8
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tapatio
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikracer
some sort of connector to the battery
This style of quick connect would work well for that purpose.

http://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Stuff-Win...EC65B4JMJCDQ7H
That's an Anderson Powerpole connector. Nice stuff.
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Old 04-11-2014, 04:30 PM   #9
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

Thanks for the responses. I will connect directly to the battery using the supplied alligator clip piece with the clips removed and the eyelets added. I think I even have a rubber cap for the end. This way I just reach under and plug it in.

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Old 04-11-2014, 06:05 PM   #10
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Re: Where to hook portable solar?

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.

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