Foldout Solar panels wiring questions ...

[Hodge]

So, I'm going to utilize the solar function of my Redarc BCDC1225...
BCDC is wired as a normal dual battery system now, only fed off the alternator ...

The end result will be this setup. With an anderson plug at the front of the car. Together with the switch over relay which arrived today.





My question is in regards to the solar panel.... Mine arrives wednesday, but they have the similar setup to the photo below...
Now do I by-pass those control boxes all together on the panels, since the BCDC will be doing the "control" work, or do I leave it as is, and plug the panels in as they are ??

So on the photo you can see a cable going from right panel into a "junction box?" on the left and then into the control box... Is that
a series wiring, or are the panels paralleled at the black box on the left?
As above I dont have my panels yet so don't know the exact setup. Trying to set it all up before weekend as I am going away now and weather will be solar-perfect ...

[megatexture]

Depends on the quality of the wires supplied if they are rubbish Just remove the covers on the back of the panel and solder new wires on the same way they have it but of a better gauge.
No need to include the reg on the panel as the redarc will do it all but personally I'd not remove it just put a quick release plug on it between reg and panel as it may come in handy one day to use without the redarc.

My guess would be they are 2x60w panel in parallel

[the evil twin]

No need to change the panel interconnects (black box to black box) and assuming you want to use Andersons...

For dedicated BCDC use...
1 Remove the two wires that go to the Reg Input from the Solar Panel 'Black box' and fit an Anderson plug tp them (lets call this the Solar Panel Output).
2 Remove the two wires currently connected to the Battery terminals of the Reg and fit an Anderson plug (lets call that the Supply lead)
3 Remove the Battery Clamp fly lead from the supply lead and store for later
4 All you now need to do is connect the Anderson on the supply lead to the Solar panel Output and the other end to the Anderson on the Car that goes to the BCDC

Now... if you ever want to use the Panels as stand alone then as well as above;
Make up two short flyleads of 12 inches or so with an Anderson Plug each and attach them to the Solar Reg panel and battery terminals
To use the Solar panels as stand alone plug the Solar panel Output Anderson into the Reg Solar Anderson and your Supply lead into the 'battery' Anderson of the Reg and the Battery Fly lead into the other end of the Supply Cable

[mudski]

I don't have a relay wired in to the 1225 on my camper. And i can have solar or car charging...The way Eric wants it may need the relay though...

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[Hodge]

Ok thanks a lot for the replies !! Clears up exactly what I was asking...

My guess would be they are 2x60w panel in parallel

Yeah it is a 120W array setup. This very model from this very shop.

http://www.lowenergydevelopments.com...lar-Panel-120W

Thanks ET !! Described it perfectly ... I've conjured up this quick drawing in paint... So in a nutshell I bypass reg panel (blue filled box) altogether for in-car bcdc setup....
In the diagram below the point where I have anderson plug will be at the bullbar somewhere for easy plug 'n play action.

[Hodge]

I don't have a relay wired in to the 1225 on my camper. And i can have solar or car charging...The way Eric wants it may need the relay though...

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

Yeah mate exactly and which is why I got that redarc switching relay for purpose designed for this scenario. Well, I could have got any ordinary relay but this already had wires pre-crimped and lugged ready to go with everything needed.

[Cuppa]

Looks like you have it sussed. This is the setup for auto switching between solar/alternator. Works well. Turn on ignition & alternator charges the battery. Turn off ignition & it defaults to solar when panels are permanently mounted or portables are connected via the anderson plug. I have the same setup with roof mounted panels.

Check out this link http://hobohome.com/news/?p=581 to determine what size cable to use between panels & the BCDC. The supplied cables will not be heavy enough & voltage drop will have a significant effect on charging efficiency. If you think that you may add further panels in the future, base your cable size on that, having it heavier than required at the moment will do no harm. I have found that it is worth using a 10 metre cable for portables as it often allows for vehicle to be parked in the shade but still have the panels out in the sun.

[threedogs]

Looks like you have it sussed. This is the setup for auto switching between solar/alternator. Works well. Turn on ignition & alternator charges the battery. Turn off ignition & it defaults to solar when panels are permanently mounted or portables are connected via the anderson plug. I have the same setup with roof mounted panels.

Check out this link http://hobohome.com/news/?p=581 to determine what size cable to use between panels & the BCDC. The supplied cables will not be heavy enough & voltage drop will have a significant effect on charging efficiency. If you think that you may add further panels in the future, base your cable size on that, having it heavier than required at the moment will do no harm. I have found that it is worth using a 10 metre cable for portables as it often allows for vehicle to be parked in the shade but still have the panels out in the sun.

Your panels are mounted permanently on the roof arent they??

[the evil twin]

Your panels are mounted permanently on the roof arent they??

Permanently? ... mmmmm... that probably depends what suburb he parks his car in.

[Cuppa]

Permanently? ... mmmmm... that probably depends what suburb he parks his car in.

Any scumbag wanting to relieve me of my panels would need to be fairly committed & come equipped with the right tools, a ladder, a means to carry them away & spend an hour or two to remove them. It’d probably be easier to just steal the car & there is a big selection of less identifiable vehicles out there to choose from. (Touching wood).