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06-04-2023, 12:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fairfield, CA
Posts: 757
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Suitcase solar panels
I found a suitcase soar panel at a garage sale for $20. It has two 60W panels and a junction box which says its a "solar charge controller". Seems to me I need something else between panels and my battery bank, any ideas? 
__________________
Barry & Sue Miller("extended" RVer's, 6 mos + per/year) combined trips.
04 Journey 39K, C-7, 330 hp, towing: 13 Ford Edge AWD, or 19 GMC Canyon 4WD, ReadyBrake.
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06-04-2023, 02:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,717
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You don't need anything else. Just run wires to the batteries from the battery lugs on the controller, and connect the panels to the solar lugs. I put an SAE connector in the propane bay next to my house batteries, to make it easy to connect to. The "load" lugs are for a DC light, or other use.
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06-04-2023, 03:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tap4154
You don't need anything else. Just run wires to the batteries from the battery lugs on the controller, and connect the panels to the solar lugs. I put an SAE connector in the propane bay next to my house batteries, to make it easy to connect to. The "load" lugs are for a DC light, or other use.
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Seems a bit scary to have any kind connector in or near a propane tank or battery (on that might off-gas any hydrogen). My propane bays are pretty well sealed but do collect some propane that I can smell when I open the door.
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06-04-2023, 03:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,717
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hclarkx
Seems a bit scary to have any kind connector in or near a propane tank or battery (on that might off-gas any hydrogen). My propane bays are pretty well sealed but do collect some propane that I can smell when I open the door.
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I initially shared your concern, and actually asked about it here before doing it. The batteries are completely separated from the propane bay, but near it. I put the controller in the under-step battery compartment, in the section with the fuses and solenoids, then ran wires with plastic conduit to an SAE connector I mounted above a shelf over the propane tank. I keep a 120 watt folding solar panel on that shelf, and that makes it very fast and easy to set it up to charge the house batteries. The only "hazard" I can see would be of there were a propane leak, and plugging in the connector caused a spark, however the propane bay is open on the bottom, and well-ventilated.
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06-04-2023, 07:26 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 5,053
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by hclarkx
My propane bays are pretty well sealed but do collect some propane that I can smell when I open the door.
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That is what I'd be far more scared of. It's sealed from the factory that way? 
Ray
__________________
2020 Forest River Georgetown GT5 34H5
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06-05-2023, 06:49 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Posts: 4,608
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doorguy
I found a suitcase soar panel at a garage sale for $20. It has two 60W panels and a junction box which says its a "solar charge controller". Seems to me I need something else between panels and my battery bank, any ideas? Attachment 394468 |
Post model number of solar controller for better advice.
The only additional thing that may be needed is a fuse or circuit breaker between the solar controller and the battery.
120w / 12v = 10 amps. Need 14 gauge wire and a 15 amp fuse.
Do not mount the controller, plugs, or fuse near flammable or explosive gas sources. So, not next to battery or propane source.
__________________
Paul Bristol
Kodiak Cub 176RD
Nissan Pathfinder 2015
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06-05-2023, 11:31 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,222
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You should have a 15amp DC circuit breaker inline to prevent arcing when disconnecting. Also make sure its the correct voltage and has the correct charging profile for your batteries. Looks like its just a generic one for lead acid batteries
__________________
"Shorty" 2008 Prevost XL2 40ft, Detroit S60, 20K genset,dual 5k Victron Quattros, 20Kw LiPO,1800w solar and just getting started
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06-07-2023, 01:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fairfield, CA
Posts: 757
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Very good feedback, thank you all.
The controller on the back of one of the panels is an ECO-WORTHY brand. Should I be able to set it in the sun and hook up my voltage tester to the leads and get some kind of steady voltage input reading?
__________________
Barry & Sue Miller("extended" RVer's, 6 mos + per/year) combined trips.
04 Journey 39K, C-7, 330 hp, towing: 13 Ford Edge AWD, or 19 GMC Canyon 4WD, ReadyBrake.
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06-07-2023, 05:10 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,717
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doorguy
Very good feedback, thank you all.
The controller on the back of one of the panels is an ECO-WORTHY brand. Should I be able to set it in the sun and hook up my voltage tester to the leads and get some kind of steady voltage input reading?
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You should be able to do that, and you might get 24 volts, then see how many watts the panels are putting out. It looks like an older style controller, so I have no idea what safeguards it has built-in. The newer ones are pretty much idiot-proof, if you hook them up the wrong way etc., and they automatically feed the right amount of voltage to the batteries. Would be good to find a manual to see.
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