Need solar help in Oregon

[okmunky]

I am on the Columbia river in WA state and plan to head south into Oregon in a few days. I have 4 flat solar panels on the roof and a Morningside charge controller, but when connected to the house batteries, it fried the #6 wire. Thankfully, all other parts seem to be undamaged, but I need to get this working now that I am no longer parked under a huge shade tree with free electric.

This is the system I bought and my nephews installed for me.

Amazon.com: 272 Watts Solar Battery Charger Kit for 12V batteries. Flexible Solar Panels PV Laminate, Charge Controller & MC Cables: Patio, Lawn & Garden

They wired the 4 panels to a mounting block using the cables included and then ran the 6 guage wire to the charge controller and then 6 guage from ther to the 2 house batteries connected in series.

That is where my understanding ends and the troubles began

Can anyone recommend a good solar tech in OR, NV, UT? I absolutely can NOT go into CA due to their primate private ownership laws.

[UFO Pilot]

I have heard a log of good things about Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987

[MaverickBBD]

X2 AM Solar. Head down Hwy 97 and then cross over to Eugene/Coburg.

[okmunky]

Thanks for the referral!

[Francesca]

Where are you on the Columbia right now, Barb?
My engineer husband might be passing through there on a motorcycle trip in a week or two.
He'll be traveling with his "Rebels Without a Clue" Gang, membership: two.
They're both engineers- maybe they'd stop and take a look if you're still there...
I should warn you, though, that if you were to ask them a question,
you'd likely get w-a-a-a-y more of an answer than you can stay awake for...

Francesca

[ralper]

Read my post under Boondocking titled "Solar That Really Works."

[The Danes Are Coming]

I have recently upgraded my solar panel on mu RV roof and here are my (limited but well meaning) thoughts

Your 4 panel should in theory be cable of producing just over 22 amps. Based on my (still limited) experience, I would be surprised if you would ever record anything in excess of 15 amps on a good day.

Try entering your data in this calculator Wire sizing calculator for Solar Panel Arrays

Unless you have an extremely long cable run it would seem to me that a 6 gauge wire would be absolutely appropriate.

My immediate (and not qualified in any way ) guess, would be that the wire size is not the problem.

Good luck.

[okmunky]

The boys put the charge controller in the back bay and then ran about 20' of wire to the batteries. I wonder if moving the charge controller close to the battery bank would fix the problem?

[gcampbell]

The wire size is probably too small. Also I would put a fuse or a circuit breaker in line between the panels and the charge controller. Also one from the charge controller to the batteries. There are charts on the web regarding correct wire size and length of run. I would think that 6 gauge would be enough though.

[Francesca]

Hi, OKmonkey

Looks like the boys won't be making the bike trip down your way...
There's rain in the forecast, and "Rebel Without a Clue" # 2 doesn't want to get his Harley wet...

If you bought this unit through the link you provided above, have you contacted the seller listed there for help?
Their "Seller Help" link says:
"About GreenSolutionsInc
We are in Renewable Green Energy busines for several years, sold, suppoted, installed all of the items we are selling on Amazon. We are very well experienced in such products, we are fully capable to provide support and technical information for any small to large projects you might have.
Contact us with your questions or concerns."

Maybe they can point you in the right direction...

Just a thought!

Francesca

[w6pea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot I have heard a log of good things about Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickBBD X2 AM Solar. Head down Hwy 97 and then cross over to Eugene/Coburg.

X3 For AM Solar

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcampbell The wire size is probably too small. Also I would put a fuse or a circuit breaker in line between the panels and the charge controller. Also one from the charge controller to the batteries. There are charts on the web regarding correct wire size and length of run. I would think that 6 gauge would be enough though.

I would venture to say that the wire is too small.
Call Deb or Greg @ AM Solar explain to her what is going on.
Good luck.

[Francesca]

I'm confused by the wire size controversy...surely 6 guage wire is big enough to carry 20 amps of 12v power...
My trailer Battery run is at least twenty feet, and it's only (factory installed) 10 guage...

It occurs to me that nobody's asked if the system ground is faulty...

Hey, Barb:

Is the new install properly grounded?

Francesca

[okmunky]

Herein lies the problem. I know nuth-thing (with my best Sgt Schultz impression) about amps, volts, watts, watt-nots, grounds and such. I've tried to read the solar info and my eyes start to glaze over and a fog envelopes my brain. Anything beyond attach the red wire to the red wire... is beyond me.

For safety's sake, I think I should make an appt with AM Solar. I've been where I could plug in to shore power almost all of the time. But I want to expand my possibilities and the panels are on the roof already.

Here's to hoping it's a quick, cheap fix. ray:

[okmunky]

Oh yes, and THANKS to all who have tried to help!

The above smiley was supposed to be the "praying hands" smiley. Goofed that up BIG time, LOL