Solar charge control install location?

[DadBodMarathonRunner]

I just bought enough pieces to my solar project to finally get started. What I am struggling with is where to physically mount the charge controller. It has a large heat sink which means it needs to dissipate heat so I don't want to store it away in a closet or cupboard. The idea I wanted to run by knowledgeable folks is can I mount it under my trailer?? I have the cold weather package so the entire underside of the trailer has that 1/4 inch plastic insulator mounted to the bottom of the frame. It looks like there is more than enough room for clearance and from what I have seen when working under there, there is no evidence of moisture/water.... so thoughts??

The controller comes with a separate display that I would mount inside the trailer someplace easily accessible.

Thanks for the input,
TOM B

[Seann45]

Mount as close to the batteries as you possibly can, mine went in the front storage bay

[DadBodMarathonRunner]

It would be very close to my batteries... just under the front storage compartment.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by DadBodMarathonRunner

It would be very close to my batteries... just under the front storage compartment.

Is your SOLAR charge controller water proof?

I mounted my SOLAR charge controller in the front pass through. I also have the Glacier with the enclosed underbody. I drilled a hole in the front pass through's floor and took a 1/4" steel rod, grinded a pointed end on it and poked a hole through the insulation and plastic under-belly. I enlarged the bottom hole to accommodate the large cables. I then pulled the cables through the hole and mounted everything on a hinged backboard for easy access (see below). I then foamed the underbelly around the cables. That was 7 years ago and it is still in great shape. One of my projects is to finish it off by putting a 1.5" PVC pipe through the hole and a 4x4x6" electrical box connected to the underbelly. See the RVing With SOLAR community for a picture of the PVC project. You can see the hole in the top picture, lower right side.

Mounting the SOLAR panel(s) on the roof is not a big issue either, just take your time and do it properly.

Do not worry about the SOLAR charge controller emitting heat from the fins. Mine barely got warm pushing 19+ amps to the batteries.

If you are worried about critters getting into the TT, they already have a bunch of access points compliments of JAYCO. Get yourself a can of the insulating spray foam (green can with bug repellent in it) from Home Depot, crawl under the TT and start at one end sealing the underbody where it slides into the frame. Also, every other hole/crack you find seal them also. 7 years with no critters so far.... knock on wood...

Good Luck

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[DadBodMarathonRunner]

Very nice setup Mustang65 (I am a Chevy guy so just typing your name was difficult). No, the controller is not waterproof. If it is a bad idea to mount it under there then I can figure something else out. I can not see any evidence of moisture/water between the floor and the plastic barrier attached to the frame.

I am curious what shunt you are using and which monitoring device? It looks like a 3-400A??

[Subaru297]

I would try and stick to the front pass through like everyone else. It will have enough airflow and will be accessible if you need to get to the controller.
Ours is in the front pass through as well.

Cheers

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by DadBodMarathonRunner

Very nice setup Mustang65 (I am a Chevy guy so just typing your name was difficult).

'57 Chevy (265CuIn>>327)
'62 Chevy (409CuIn) with 283CuIn emblems (a lot of surprised faces)
"65 442 (400CuIn>>> 425CuIn)
'69 442 - W30 400CuId (came with a yellow tag on the steering wheel "Not recommend for Street use)
'71 Vega (140CiIn>> 331CuIn 475+HP, 1700 pounds of car with engine, used to drive 10 miles to the train station at the Wisconsin border. Loved to pull the front wheels off the ground at a stop light, with a high school kid in his rice burner in the lane next to me with his glass pack mufflers. (done on country road with no house for at least a 1/2 mile away)
'72 Old's cutlass (worst car I owned)


'65 Mustang (289CuIn 320HP) Best looking car and fun to drive
'69 442 W30 was the most comfortable to drive, even with 5MPG on a good day!
'2012 F150 EcoBoost - Fun to drive
Trying to talk DW into an Electric car for the city, SOLAR charged at home. Still working on that conversation.

I have always, well mostly been a GM BIG BLOCK guy, and to this day I still love the rumble of the BIG BLOCK with a 3/4 race cam in it. Uhhh, uhhhh more power. But I do see that FAST trucks do come with little TURBO charged 6 cylinders.

[DadBodMarathonRunner]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

'57 Chevy (265CuIn>>327)
'62 Chevy (409CuIn) with 283CuIn emblems (a lot of surprised faces)
"65 442 (400CuIn>>> 425CuIn)
'69 442 - W30 400CuId (came with a yellow tag on the steering wheel "Not recommend for Street use)
'71 Vega (140CiIn>> 331CuIn 475+HP, 1700 pounds of car with engine, used to drive 10 miles to the train station at the Wisconsin border. Loved to pull the front wheels off the ground at a stop light, with a high school kid in his rice burner in the lane next to me with his glass pack mufflers. (done on country road with no house for at least a 1/2 mile away)
'72 Old's cutlass (worst car I owned)


'65 Mustang (289CuIn 320HP) Best looking car and fun to drive
'69 442 W30 was the most comfortable to drive, even with 5MPG on a good day!
'2012 F150 EcoBoost - Fun to drive
Trying to talk DW into an Electric car for the city, SOLAR charged at home. Still working on that conversation.

I have always, well mostly been a GM BIG BLOCK guy, and to this day I still love the rumble of the BIG BLOCK with a 3/4 race cam in it. Uhhh, uhhhh more power. But I do see that FAST trucks do come with little TURBO charged 6 cylinders.

My stable is much less impressive.
1996 Impala SS with T56 / 383 / Frame up resto (my baby)
Wife daily's 600 RWHP '12 CTS-V
I restored my fathers '76 Ford Highboy & dropped an LT1 into my mothers '71 Gremlin
I daily a '16 Malibu hybrid - love 45mpg in a big comfy car!