Where to mount solar charge controller

10 posts / 0 new
Last post
Map85086
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 9 months ago
Joined: 04/09/2016 - 11:48
Where to mount solar charge controller

Hi,

I have a 13' Scamp and I recently purchased a Renogy 50w panel with charge controller.  Does anyone have any suggestions on where to mount the charge controller?  I am thinking about permanently mounting the controller somewhere and connecting it to the battery.  Then I plan to connect the solar panel to the controller only when I'm camping.  I'm open to any other suggestions, particularly if you have a strategy that works.

Thanks,

Marty

Greg A
Greg A's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 days 17 hours ago
SOI-AdministratorLifetime Member
Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:45
Panel

Hey Marty,

How ya doin? Is that a portable panel or a flat panel you are converting to use as a portable panel?

Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape

Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:

Fiberglass-RV-4Sale

Map85086
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 9 months ago
Joined: 04/09/2016 - 11:48
Hi Greg,

Hi Greg,

I am doing well and hope you are enjoying in the cool country.  I think the answer to your question is a flat panel that I want to use as a portable.  I'll attach a photo if that will help.

Best,

Marty

Martin Prunty

Greg A
Greg A's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 days 17 hours ago
SOI-AdministratorLifetime Member
Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:45
Solar Panel

Marty,

Reason I asked was portables have the charge controller built into the back of the panel.

When I had my portables I used these solar connectors and had one permanently wired to the battery posts and tucked it into the battery case when not being used. Then I had my charge controller wired with one of these on each end and a 25' extension cord which connect to the charge controller and the panel. Didn't want to mount the charge controller, just rolled the wire up around it and stored it away when not using. When needed just get the wire roll out and plug in the panel and the battery end and you're set.

Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape

Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:

Fiberglass-RV-4Sale

Map85086
Offline
Last seen: 7 years 9 months ago
Joined: 04/09/2016 - 11:48
Greg - Thanks so much.  I

Greg - Thanks so much.  I think you have been able to refine my fuzzy thinking.  Happy 4th.

Martin Prunty

JDHaggerty
JDHaggerty's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 months 6 days ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:13
I mounted our controller above the front closet

I mounted our controller above the front closet. Seemed like a good spot for collecting power from the rooftop panel and sending it to the tongue mounted battery on our Scamp.

John/Dave and Marilyn Haggerty

2005 Scamp 16 standard side dinette

04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4.7

17 Dodge Durango 3.6

19 Ford Ranger Supercrew Ecoboost

 

Mikeaugust
Offline
Last seen: 4 years 4 months ago
Joined: 03/17/2019 - 12:33
Solar Controller

Is there any need to disconnect the built in controller/charger from the battery circuit while charging the battery using the solar controller. I could see an issue if plugged into shore power at the same time. If boondocking it doesn’t seem to matter. Right?

JDHaggerty
JDHaggerty's picture
Offline
Last seen: 5 months 6 days ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:13
Mike, I leave mine connected

Mike, I leave mine connected all the time. Either one will cut off when the battery reaches their respective cutoff voltage. I have the rooftop panel running all the time, so the solar controller will stop the flow of voltage once the battery is full. If I'm also plugged into electric then the camper converter also knows when to shut off the voltage.

John/Dave and Marilyn Haggerty

2005 Scamp 16 standard side dinette

04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4.7

17 Dodge Durango 3.6

19 Ford Ranger Supercrew Ecoboost

 

Tmcm
Tmcm's picture
Offline
Last seen: 3 years 5 months ago
Joined: 07/28/2017 - 17:06
Lake oconee sc

scamping in lake oconee sc 

Tmcm
Tmcm's picture
Offline
Last seen: 3 years 5 months ago
Joined: 07/28/2017 - 17:06
Yellowstone natl park

looking for any tips