2 sets of wires with only 1 solarpanel

[ghamo]

Sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find it when I looked around.

I am planning on having a 100W panel on my current build and am planning on having it roof mounted with the wires running through the roof down to the charge controller in the tongue box. The only thing is I already know a lot of our camping sites in areas we like the panel is unlikely to get much full sun being roof mounted at the site. For this reason my plan is to have the panel detachable from the roof mount and connect it to a different set of long solar cables coming directly from the tongue box so I can move the panel to the area of the site with the best sun, or leave it on the roof to charge in sunny sites or while driving.

In the tongue box I was planning on having a Y connector just prior to going into the charge controller with the roof and movable long cables being able to connect from that. As far as I can tell this will work just fine, but I was wondering if I missed something and this actually wont work.

for a Y connector I was thinking something like this https://www.amazon.ca/BTSKY-Branch-Conn ... B06XXZRXHT

Thanks

[Sparksalot]

That should work fine. It also gives the option to add a second panel if you wanted to.

[MtnDon]

Those connectors are often quite difficult to unplug from one another. They are really designed for permanent connections while being tool-less for installation. And waterproof. If the connectors are to be located in a weatherproof box perhaps an Anderson Powerpole connector of a size that is rated for the expected current would be better. I use the Andersons for portable vehicle winch power connections and even though their fit is snug I have less trouble disconnecting them than I have had with the MC4 types.

[John61CT]

Yes MC4s have a very low duty cycle also not easy.

Anderson PP is good to standardize on.

Just make up an extension pair for placing the panel away from the trailer.

Higher voltage panel like 40+Voc will work better.

Victron 75/10 is a good little controller.

[rjgimp]

This is an idea I have also toyed with.

[Shadow Catcher]

I used a Perko watertight deck connector, it has not leaked in 11 years.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/perko--watertight-deck-connections--P009_275_007_008?recordNum=17

[Vtec44]

I have a similar setup but with 2 panels permanently mounted on the roof of my trailer and one portable panel. The portable panel is not always connected to the Y (branch connectors) but I can plug it in using a long solar extension cable when I need additional charging power. It works pretty well.

[edgeau]

I use those connectors just fine with a portable panel. I have no trouble undoing them.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[featherliteCT1]

My MC4 connectors were hard to separate until I coated the male and female connectors with a thin coat of dialectic grease. Now they come apart super easy.

[John61CT]

There is also a wide variation in quality between quality branded MC4 and the crap usually included with cheap Chinese gear.

That said the connector design is just not suited to high duty cycling.

[H.A.]

I use those connectors just fine with a portable panel. I have no trouble undoing them.

Ha !
Either you are using the release tool, not snapping them together, modified their latching barbs or have crap quality MC-4's

[featherliteCT1]

I read that it is very important never to connect or disconnect MC4 connectors under load because an electric arc may form which can melt and seriously damage the MC4 contact materials.

I have a solar panel with the panel wires terminated at an MC4 connector, with a disconnect downstream of the MC4 connector and upstream of my charge controller (i.e., the charge controller is the load).

If the disconnect is tripped so that no current can flow from the MC4 connector to the charge controller, do you think it is then Ok to unplug the MC4 connector even though sun is on the panel?

Thanks

[MtnDon]

Yes. Nothing is using any of the power the panels could be putting out under those conditions.
No need to wait till night.


I have a bank of GBS LFP. Very good cells.

[featherliteCT1]

Thanks MtnDon!