Solar Panel Recommendations-

[TimC]

John, connecting two inputs to your charge controller can be simple. Run each panel array to a terminal block and then one line directly to your breaker/fuse block and continue through to the charge controller. Or, just use the fuse block as a terminal block. Most fuse blocks will allow for more than one terminal on the studs.

This would require simple jumpers on one side.


A crude drawing of how that type might be wired.

[Capebuild]

Thanks Tim and Tony! If I put both of your responses together I think I'll have my set up

I hadn't thought of basically having a junction box on the inside of the trailer to marry both the roof panels and the suitcase panels.

That seems workable.....

Thanks again.

John

[friz]

This is my simple connection for suitcase solar. Cheap and impossible to connect wrong.

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[Indiana Rambler]

I was thinking about using these branch connectors for my setup. Plan to run two panels on top (all can be removable) and have the option to add the third chasing the sun. They seem cheap enough to try at least. Oh, and the third post being open, I figured I could make some sort of a cap to keep the weather out.

Renogy Solar Male and Female Branch Connectors MMMF+FFFM, 3 to 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NH0BWV9/re ... 6YCENDN0AN


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[tony.latham]

Renogy Solar Male and Female Branch Connectors MMMF+FFFM, 3 to 1...

The problem with them is that they really aren't made to repeatedly plug and unplug. Not saying they won't work.

Tony

[TimC]

...

Renogy Solar Male and Female Branch Connectors MMMF+FFFM, 3 to 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NH0BWV9/re ... 6YCENDN0AN

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+1 what Tony said. I did that the first couple years with my system. A real PITA to disconnect those MC4s. The tool was not helpful either (two different brands of MC4 did not play well with each other). Great for permanent connection. Not so great otherwise.

[Indiana Rambler]

Well that’s good to know! Guess I’ll utilize the suggestions you gentleman placed here! That’s why this forum is awesome!


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[mtbikernate]

yeah, I've never handled MC4 connectors before, but just looking at pics of them, they didn't seem like they'd be enjoyable for repeated disconnect. So when I planned my system, my thought was that everything with MC4 connectors would STAY connected. And the one temporary connection that I unplug when I'm done with the panels would be SAE (primarily because of reports that it's probably the most conditions-protected type of plug available when not using it).

For now, I'm setting my panels up to be 100% portable.

But I will be working on removable roof mounts moving forward. I have one mounting option on my list, to mount directly to the roof. I'd like another, to mount to the roof rack. I've seen a bunch of these, but I would love to see something where all the hardware was removable for occasions I might want to use the rack for cargo. We'll see what I can turn up.