New to Solar!

[LinearLynn]

Hello! Just tell me if I'm in the wrong thread!

Here I've drawn out a drafted not scaled diagram for our solar gettup in our new cargo trailer! I wasn't initially going to use an inverter but acquired one since so not sure *quite how to incorporate that. I have been doing a whole lot of studying and researching, and am just down to trying to sort out the wire sizes, but would love to hear all your thoughts! (especially if this is all wrong and is gonna blow up!)

[tony.latham]

Hello! Just tell me if I'm in the wrong thread!

Here I've drawn out a drafted not scaled diagram for our solar gettup in our new cargo trailer! I wasn't initially going to use an inverter but acquired one since so not sure *quite how to incorporate that. I have been doing a whole lot of studying and researching, and am just down to trying to sort out the wire sizes, but would love to hear all your thoughts! (especially if this is all wrong and is gonna blow up!)

I would add a switch between the panel and the controller. You need to turn the panel off before disconnecting the battery.

And I assume a battery monitor such as an Aili?

Tony

[LinearLynn]

That's a great idea about the switch! Thank you! Yes, I realized after I posted that I forgot to draw in the battery monitor. I will add that for sure. Thanks for taking the time to look at my diagram!

[featherliteCT1]

I think the 12v outlet, shown in the upper right of your sketch, ought to be fed directly from your fuse box rather than fed directly from the charge controller.

If the breaker between the solar panel and the charge controller were a manually resettable breaker, you would not need to add a switch.

[RJ Howell]

I added a meter (s) to mine like this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/111980665086?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&var=410920122005

I have one after the panel to see incoming and one after the battery for usage but they used to be $4 each..

[LinearLynn]

Good call about the breaker, and yes about the 12v outlet. I was just trying to utilize that load option on the controller. Oh well! : P

I already have a battery monitor but I like the idea of having a little one right after the panel! Thank you!

[RJ Howell]

Those meters I use accumulate wattage. I reset before I travel (zero-out) and I know how much in and out. I just like that over a meter with a % number.. That is with the solar, with the DC/DC I only run on the house battery.

[LinearLynn]

Hmm yes. I’ll have to see which one I have. That's a great idea to get a baseline/log your avg usage!


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