PALiftedKK wrote:
Lauren, fairly well speced panel! per our conversation a few months ago, run 14 gauge wire from the panel. make sure its stranded copper. nothing else!!! use quick connects at the panel. trust me you think you'll never need them, but you will. fuse the panel just incase. for that voltage and current, a fuse really wont do much. the charge controller has its own protection circuit and works fairly well. also, don't hook up your fuses under the panel.... my mistake, hopefully ill never need to change the 4 under there
if the sun is directly over the panel without shade the panel should output close to 36 volts.
the tracer charge controllers love the voltage, not so much amperage, that's why when we spoke I mentioned it and finding a high voltage solar panel. though with your current combination of panel and tracer, you shouldn't have any issues. make sure to set the controller to (I believe its #3) FLA batteries. the charge controller does a fantastic job at keeping them toped off, cool, and sulphate free. though the sulphate levels depends on the load and if its constant.
there are a few mods you can do to the panel to output higher voltage, but that gets tricky.
Hey, thanks for the confirmation that I made a good decision on the panel and charge controller. It was through conversations with you that I was educated enough to know what was a good panel and which ones to stay away from. Thanks for taking the time to talk that stuff through with me. I'm excited to get it installed, but I have a few more things to do before I get to that point. Next up will be:
- sanding the exterior joints smooth where I filled them with sealer
- coating the exterior plywood in urethane/polyurethane
- skinning the trailer with aluminum
- making doors and installing windows
Once the trailer is nice and waterproof, I'll work on interior and electrical stuff. I have to build the battery cabinet and install the vented battery boxes, among other things. But I'll definitely follow your advice on wiring the solar panel up. Thanks again!
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2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
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AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof RackM116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997