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100 Watt Renogy Foldoing Solar Suitcase for an electrical dummy?

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#1 Durango1

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 05:27 AM

You folks have been kind and patient on some of my other queries so here goes:

 

Sioux and I bought our Flatbed Hawk last year thinking I would "add" solar. Not realistic since I literally failed my high school electricity class 45 years ago. And I've successfully navigated life since without understanding the relationship between volts/ watts/ amps, etc. (Not to mention "ohms"!)

 

NOTE: With the wisdom of looking back I just wish I had ordered the factory panels that are installed on top of my unit. Oh well... 

 

So I'm looking for idiot proof portable solar to top off our dual factory batteries when we stay parked more than one day. (Which is rare.) I know it may not be state of the art but what do you folks think about this foldable portable solar panel for a simple solution?

 

I'd like to eventually install the Trimetric stuff to get a better handle on what's happening with my batteries. But meanwhile can't I just plug the solar panel above in? And what plug does FWC install on their units at the back of the camper? Will this one fit it? And if it does are there any other things I need to change on the wiring?

 

Thanks in advance from the Solar Dunce! 

 

Steve

 

PS I'll post my interior cabinet modifications ... when I can figure out how to do it.


Edited by Durango1, 26 May 2016 - 11:57 AM.

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#2 enelson

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 01:26 PM

Looks simple to hook up.  Yes just hook it to to the battery and you are set.  Did I miss something or does the panel come with alligator clamps?  Just cut off these and use butt splices and put on the connector you need.  If you have to run wires inside the camper to the battery you could use a fancy wire like https://powerwerx.co...onded-zip-cord.  Also, made sure there is a fuse in line somewhere.  There is probably a fuse on the panel after the controller already.


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#3 Yukon

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 01:28 PM

HI,

I don't consider myself a solar expert, but I did install my own electrical system (and it works) for my Eagle shell.  Having said that, I don't see any reason at all to not use the solar unit in the ad above.  The only question that I would have for you to consider is connecting it to the batteries.  Looking on their website their cable is 10 ft. long.  That's probably enough to get from your battery to the outside sunshine.  You would simply alligator clip right onto the camper battery terminals. 

 

I doubt there is a plug on the outside of the camper for 12 volt supply.  But others might know that.  Most outside connectors are for 120 AC volt input.  If this is a newer 4WC Hawk, there is probably wiring in the roof to add the panel but again, I doubt there is a simple connector to plug into (ask 4WC team).  If you are going to be with the camper during these no driving days (i.e. you can leave a door or window cracked, you can run the cable in that way).  Otherwise you are going to have to connect to the solar wiring provided by the camper in the ceiling. My shell didn't have solar wires pre-installed so I drilled a hole in the side of the camper and installed my own 2-pin connector.  Pretty easy.

 

Good luck, Chris


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#4 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 01:53 PM

Steve, have a solar plug on the back(?), but no solar. That means a portable with controller should work fine. I don't remember the name of the female plug that FWC uses, but it won't be hard to find. My bet is, since you don't have solar, that the wiring for the plug is not connected to the batteries. If not, ensure there is a fuse close to the battery on the positive lead. You might even put a switch in to keep the plug from being hot.

I'll see if I the plug that FWC uses. Edit: its on the Zamp site, but I didn't find a generic name.
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#5 2020

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 04:09 PM

Mine is a 200W Zamp portable panel & controller. It has the same connector for the rear solar plug on my 2014 Grandby. The controller defaults to AGM battery type. Just plug it in and it starts working. I can't imagine an easier setup.

 

Zamp ZS-200-P

 

Yes, rear solar plug on your FWC may not come connected from the factory. If not, wires will be coiled up inside the battery compartment. Wires will be labeled REAR SOLAR or REAR PLUG. The controller for my Zamp is fused, but I still put a fuse on the hot lead when I connected the plug wires to the battery.

 

It comes with alligator clips, also.


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#6 PaulT

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 04:12 PM

The name I've heard is a "2 pin flat SAE connector". They are commonly found with trailer electrical parts. Get one with 10 gauge wires & wire a fuse inline between it & the battery.

Paul
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#7 DrJ

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 06:17 PM

I actually have owned the exact setup you are looking at.

It worked just fine. I connected it directly to the batteries and ran the cord out of the window.

 

It would be much easier if you have the solar plug on your outside for sure.

 

Personally, I really prefer having a panel on the roof that goes to work all of the time without my effort.

I have a portable panel to use just in case I am parked in the shade but it requires much more effort to use it.

 

Turns out the sun is always moving and I'm adjusting that thing during the day lots for optimal sunshine.


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#8 Durango1

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 06:47 PM

I actually have owned the exact setup you are looking at.

It worked just fine. I connected it directly to the batteries and ran the cord out of the window.

Thanks DrJ and the rest of you. I do have the SAE pin connector on the back of my Hawk. (This is standard now.) Guess I just need to (gulp) hook it up inside my electrical connections. Does anyone know if it should be wired to the fuse panel? I guess I can bug Stan...


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#9 Happyjax

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 07:18 PM

You definitely want a fuse between your solar charge controller and your batteries so check before you plug in. I'm sure Stan will be glad to help you if no one here knows for sure. I don't but would guess that there is one.....

Good luck with your project :)


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#10 DrJ

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 07:43 PM

My understanding is that the Renogy portable setup is meant to be a direct attachment to the battery.

I don't recall if the system already has a fuse or not.

 

If you changed out the clamps to a SAE plug, you could plug it directly to the outside plug from your camper.

 

I use one of my flexible panels that exact way and now I use store it under my cabover bed. It takes up no space under there and works great.


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