Connecting up portable solar panels

[robstevens]

Hi All,
Just a question with regards wiring up external solar panels...

We have a Firetail, which has no external Anderson plugs other than the one connecting to the car. (seems to be Merit-plug-land at Track!)

I'd like to add in an Anderson Plug externally, so I can hook up some folding panels I have. These have no regulator, etc, built in, and in the past I've connected them to an MPPT device in the car, to optimise its second battery charging.

The Firetail already has a solar regulator (Projecta) for its roof-mounted panel, so I assume I need to cut into this wiring and add the external connection point in a similar way to the Projecta as the existing panels use?

Thanks,
Rob

[hulbyw]

Which model Projecta is in your Firetail? If it is the combined dc/dc charger and solar controller, TT would be able to tell you where to link in to the wiring. If it is the standard controller, it may not have enough capacity for extra panels. Have a look at the manual to see the specs and then maybe phone TT or Projecta to get advice.
You can fit the Anderson plug near the 240v power inlet. That is the easiest place to fit and the length of the cable to the controller is very short
Cheers

[robstevens]

The Regulator is a Projecta 12v 10A Solar Charge Controller... it isn't even an MPPT unit. Just a pretty ordinary voltage cut in/out unit with a display (costs $75 on Ebay)

I think I'm going to get rid of this unit and install my own MPPT unit, which actually works!

PS: Looking in the User Manual, there's zero mention of how the Anderson plug to the Car is wired up... (Presumably it goes straight to the battery in the Firetail?)

[hulbyw]

The controller you have works. Maybe an MPPT would work better. I fitted a 20w MPPT in my Mk4 on the wiring cover which is fitted above the power console (it goes from the power console to the roof). That way you can easily wire in the Tvan solar panel as there is a plug and socket from the panel exposed when you remove that wiring cover. I then disconnected the Projecta controller and extended the wiring up to the new controller. I also added an Anderson plug to the outside of the Tvan (mounted next to the 240v inlet), drilled a hole, fitted a grommet then ran the wire through (making sure to put lots of silicone around the wiring where it goes through the grommet) into the power console then up to the new controller. All fairly straightforward with very short cable runs. I was then able to plug in a portable panel which charged in conjunction with the solar on the Tvan roof. Sorry I don't have any photos and the Tvan has a new owner now.
Cheers

[robstevens]

A bit surprised Track don't install an MPPT unit as standard - it is much more efficient means of charging, esp when using small panels.

I think I'll follow your install advice. Sounds good.

[Kearnal99]

Without investigating it, I asked our dealer how I'd go about connecting a set of folding solar panels to the Firetail. His response was to simply connect it via the Anderson plug at the front (where you'd connect the trailer to the tow vehicle).

[robstevens]

I think that the trailer's anderson plug for the car goes straight to the battery in the Van. So this would work - but is not at all efficient. Also the solar panels should have at least a regulator in the circuit, to control cut-in and cut-out voltages...

[Gumb]

Without investigating it, I asked our dealer how I'd go about connecting a set of folding solar panels to the Firetail. His response was to simply connect it via the Anderson plug at the front (where you'd connect the trailer to the tow vehicle).

yes but ONLY if the panels have their own regulator. You can't connect unregulated panels direct to any battery because the voltage is way to high and the regulator should be as close to the battery as possible to avoid voltage drop. The Firetail with the Anderson on the side (like mine has) can be connected direct to the panels because that Anderson goes to the built-in regulator (in my case a Redarc 1240). The tug Anderson lead also goes through that regulator on mine.

[Phil G]

You can pick up a Projecta IDC25  DC-DC charger with inbuilt MPPT regulator off Ebay for about $240.
I have one in our caravan - works very well and selectively takes solar power first.  Only way to go in my opinion.
Have uses the equivalent Ctek product (D250S) in our Tvan for about 5 years.

[Shaker]

You will have to put all the solar input through one regulator, I just made sure the one on the camper was big enough & bypassed the one on the portable panels.

[Redmud Rob]

We bought our Mark IV Murranji and added in a DCDC Redarc40 with the external Anderson plug near the 240v inlet.
We have a Korr 180 watt folding unit and previously run a hard folding unit.  Works a treat.

[Howezit]

You will have to put all the solar input through one regulator, I just made sure the one on the camper was big enough & bypassed the one on the portable panels.

So.. it's not good to have various solar sources, each with their own regulator, each going directly (post their own regulator) to the battery?
I'm thinking..
There's the Tvan regulator which is only big enough for the supplied panel on the roof.
Then there's the portable stuff plugged in separately.. probably through the anderson plug which is normally attached to the tug, with it's own regulator.

[robstevens]

...
Then there's the portable stuff plugged in separately.. probably through the anderson plug which is normally attached to the tug, with it's own regulator.

Trouble with that is - there is too much distance between the regulator and the battery... ideally the regulator/MPPT unit should be right next to the battery, so that all the voltage drop through the wiring occurs before the unit...

[Pliz]

Track advised me as follows.
-Ensure your portable solar panel has a regulator.
-Plug the output from the regulator into any 12V point on the Van, whether Merit plug or the front Anderson.

I plug mine into the anderson on the front of the van
Maybe not perfect, but I can see the increased current on the Victron, the battery charges so it seems all good.
Peter

[robstevens]

I think the difference between setups just affects the rate of charge of the batteries - yes, your setup will work, but I can almost guarantee that using an MPPT unit, right next to the battery being charged, will increase the rate of charge for that battery considerably - maybe recharged in half the time...