Solar Question

[nighthawk87]

I’m looking to get the 200 Watt Renogy kit with the PWM controller. I have a 2016 Jayco 26bhs Jayflight

What size fuse do I need?

Do I place the fuse between the battery and controller?

Do I need to put a disconnect between the panels and controller on the positive terminal?

Is 20’ if included wire from panels to controller enough? I’m thinking panels would be on the rear of the trailer roof and I’d route the wire down the fridge vent. Can I drop the controller inside then run wires to battery from there or is that too far? Problem is all the current openings are at the rear and batteries are kept up front. Ideas?

Anything else I need to consider?


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[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

I’m looking to get the 200 Watt Renogy kit with the PWM controller. I have a 2016 Jayco 26bhs Jayflight

What size fuse do I need?

The SOLAR panels are producing somewhere around 5-6Amps each so a 15 - 20Amp fuse/breaker will be fine. You can always increase the size of the fuse/breaker should you decide to expand.

Do I place the fuse between the battery and controller?
I chose to put a fuse between both.

Do I need to put a disconnect between the panels and controller on the positive terminal? No, you just pull the fuse/breaker

Is 20’ if included wire from panels to controller enough? I’m thinking panels would be on the rear of the trailer roof and I’d route the wire down the fridge vent. Can I drop the controller inside then run wires to battery from there or is that too far? Problem is all the current openings are at the rear and batteries are kept up front. Ideas?

The PWM controller needs to be as close to the batteries as possible. The longest cable run should be between the SOLAR panels and the controller (Highest voltage = least amount of voltage drop). The shortest cable length should be between the PWM controller and the batteries (lowest voltage drop). Figure you will use about 15' of cable just to get down from from the roof. You then need to get to the batteries from there. I would suggest you take a tape measure and do a quick ball-park measurement, to give you an idea.


Anything else I need to consider?
Since the PWM controller will be mounted near the batteries, and probably out of easy viewing, I would recommend purchasing an inexpensive battery monitor that you can mount inside the TT

Hope this helps, GOOD LUCK

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[troutslayer]

I ran the cable from the panels to the controller down through the roof next to one of the vent pipes. You can also use one of these if you need to go through the roof where there is no easy access.
https://www.amazon.com/Link-Solar-We...70_&dpSrc=srch

[nighthawk87]

Thanks! One more question how do you guys handle runs longer than 25’? Buy more wore and connect to what they provide or buy a complete replacement run?

Also, anyone with a 26bh or 26bhs or 26bhsw, or any similar floodplan to mine that could maybe give a clue as to where to mount the panels and drop the wire?


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[bdreinv]

I would just call Renogy,my Blue Sky controller would not warrant the unit without one in line fuse! Thanks

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

Also, anyone with a 26bh or 26bhs or 26bhsw, or any similar floodplan to mine that could maybe give a clue as to where to mount the panels and drop the wire?


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Can you post a picture of your roof for us to look at
Thanks
Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

Thanks! One more question how do you guys handle runs longer than 25’? Buy more wore and connect to what they provide or buy a complete replacement run? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I personally would not run the wires longer than 20'.

[nighthawk87]

Illl post a pic of my roof but it’s seems to be near impossible to keep under 20’ on any travel trailer more than 25’ length. This can’t be a unique issue...


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[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by troutslayer

I personally would not run the wires longer than 20'.

As long as the longest cable length is between the SOLAR panel and the PWM controller there is minimal voltage loss (higher voltage end like 24VDC0.

The total length of my cable between the SOLAR panel and MPPT charge controller is 38'.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[nighthawk87]

Where do you buy your cable? I’d imagine it would already need the connectors on one end to connect to the panels. Do they sell wire that has the + and - bundled together for easy fishing?


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[Mustang65]

I purchased stranded 10AWG wire from Home Depot. I then ordered the on Amazon a 10' length of 10AWG extension cable with MC4 connectors on one end and bare wire on the other. I connected the extension cable to the SOLAR panel and I soldered the other end to the Home Depot 10AWG cable I purchased. You could also put the connection in a water proof box, but if you solder it and put shrink-wrap over the wires that will not be necessary.

Search for the extension cables on Amazon and you will probably find different prices for the 10AWG extension cables. You may not need the regular 10AWG bulk cable if the 10' extension will make ends meet.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[nighthawk87]

Does anyone think it’s worth the $90 more to get a Morningstar pro star pwm cpntroller over the normal renogy pwn wanderer?


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[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

Does anyone think it’s worth the $90 more to get a Morningstar pro star pwm cpntroller over the normal renogy pwn wanderer?


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Not really, put the extra money into batteries.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Isaacs]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

Where do you buy your cable? I’d imagine it would already need the connectors on one end to connect to the panels. Do they sell wire that has the + and - bundled together for easy fishing?


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I'd go with something like this. https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/...RoCHBUQAvD_BwE

But you'd have to be ok with putting the connectors on yourself to connect to your panel.

[nighthawk87]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

Not really, put the extra money into batteries.



Don



My Registry



RVing with SOLAR

Well I have new 6v batteries so I’m good there, but what about the HQST 30A PWM charge controller that renogy sells on amazon. It has an LCD readout. Is the “wanderer” without the lcd better? It’s $10 more.


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[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

Well I have new 6v batteries so I’m good there, but what about the HQST 30A PWM charge controller that renogy sells on amazon. It has an LCD readout. Is the “wanderer” without the lcd better? It’s $10 more.


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Go with the one with the display, the wanderer has idiot lights on it.
Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

Does anyone think it’s worth the $90 more to get a Morningstar pro star pwm cpntroller over the normal renogy pwn wanderer?


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Invest the extra money in the MPPT controller you won't regret it! Thanks

[nighthawk87]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

Invest the extra money in the MPPT controller you won't regret it! Thanks

I think I would. With only two panels, and maybe up to two more in the future, the MPPT won’t be cost effective. This is based on all the reading I’ve done. I’m interested to know why you feel it’s a better deal though?

Just looked that blue sky up and it’s $250. I can get the renogy adventurer for $49. Is be better of getting another panel than upgrading my controller if I wanted to splurge. I think.

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