Questions regarding 'solar on side' port

[JKyle]

I have the typical 'Solar on the side" tongue mounted, port.

I also have 200 watts of solar on the roof, recharging my battery via the 30amp solar charge controller, inside the camper.

Does anyone know, when plugging into that solar on the side port, do your panels need to be controlled (via charge controller) I know it's no big thing for the little panels, but pushing 200 watts via folding panels and full sun...is that energy controlled at all or will it require the addition of an inline charge controller?

[stinger608]

Yes, it has to have a controller between the solar panels and the "solar on the side".

With 200 watts, if they are plugged directly into that "solar on the side", it will most likely over charge your batteries.

[JKyle]

Thanks, I figured as much. : )

[Seann45]

Please note that anytime you disconect your batteries you must first turn off the power to the charge controller or you could burn it out.

[JKyle]

I thought about this and wasn't quite sure HOW. So to minimize any potential trouble, I literally removed the old battery and replaced with the new battery. It took 30 seconds.

[Forester2]

Go on roof and discountect MC4 connectors

[JKyle]

I will do that when it's time for winter storage, at the end of this season. I have a WPM 30amp charge controller. I can use that as my 'in-line' controller. PLUS I just remembered, I have 100watts of hard panels 4x25w...the (Harbor Freight set) I can push through the controller into the tongue/battery, then use the 220watt folding panel for my EcoFlow Pro 3600.

I'm going to try one trip out this season using only my solar and see how it goes. Another battery on the tongue at this point would be redundant, considering the battery banks I own.