How to Wire a Solar Disconnect for a DIY Camper Electrical System
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- čas přidán 20. 02. 2021
- In this blog post, I am going to teach you how to wire a solar array disconnect, why you need one, and which one to use when installing a solar array into your camper electrical system. THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN UPDATED HERE: • SOLAR ISOLATOR WIRING ...
A solar disconnect is not only convenient but is also a code requirement. By the end of this blog post, you will know what disconnect to use, why you need to use one, and how to size the disconnect.
Links mentioned in this video:
➤ Blog Post & Parts List: www.explorist.life/how-to-wir...
➤ How to Crimp Wire Ferrules: • How to Crimp Ferrules ...
➤ How/When to Fuse a Solar Array: • How to Fuse a Solar Pa...
➤Need additional & personalized help? Consider joining my private group: www.community.explorist.life
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful with planning and installing your DIY Camper:
➤DIY Camper Solar Wiring Diagrams: www.explorist.life/solarwirin...
➤How to Perform a Power Audit: • How Much Solar Power D...
➤Basic Parts & Components of an Electrical System: • Basic Solar Parts Need...
➤How to Cut Wire: www.explorist.life/how-to-cut...
➤How to Strip Wire: • How to Strip Wire from...
➤How to Crimp Wire: • How To Crimp Wire Lugs...
➤How to Make MC4 Connectors: • How To Make MC4 Connec...
➤How to Wire Solar Panels in Series-Parallel: • How to Wire Solar Pane...
➤How to Crimp Wire Ferrules: • How to Crimp Ferrules ...
➤How to Wire an AC/DC Breaker/Fuse Box: www.explorist.life/how-to-wir... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Got a package from y'all today awesome stuff
Wow! Glad I saw this. I am building to your diagram from before you added this to your designs. THANK YOU for your diligence with code requiements!!!!!!!!
Thank goodness this channel exists! Thank you!!!!
Just came to your channel. This stuff is golden! What an education. I love that you are covering things is such a step by step manner and that you are giving the reasons for the safety regs. Thank you.
Seen quite a few of your video’s, and you put so much detail into a easy to understand presentation, and such a big help as I slowly build my camper electric’s,you do a awesome job thanks steve 👌
You are such an excellent teacher. So step by step logical instructions.
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for being clear , because it’s confusing.
Better to be simple in this subject 👍👍
Thank you. Helped me understand the primary purpose of the circuit breaker: Switch off power from the panels.
awesome video. Extremely helpful! I have a 90v 40a array and this really help me
I have found your videos just in time.
Im installing solar on my yacht, just as on your camper /RV.
Your videos are very educational. I now can proceed with my installation.
Dont worry I have an electrician friend helping me..
legend bro - setting up solar at my shop cos I dont have a fixed building for city power - your vids are superbly helpful!
Great information. Very direct. Good job. Thank you.
You explain things perfectly and your speed of talking/explaining is outstanding! I will owe you for a big thanks when I finish my solar project!
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
I love your channel.Ican go back and watch these videos multiple times if I need to, along with all the other ones.
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Thank you , very good demonstration.
Perfect timing! My dual pole disconnect arrived last week and I will be installing it this coming week... This helps a lot! Thank you!
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Did this get wired backwards on the MPPT side? I bought the same one from link and the symbol/diagram next to identifier show + and - reversing top to bottom.
Excellent, I almost purchased 30 amp breakers. Thanks!
Very timely! I actually just asked a question on one of your wiring diagram blog posts (although I couldn't get the question to actually post) a couple days ago wondering why the ampacity rating was so high on the breaker. Now I have my answer. Good stuff.
Haha, I saw that and didn't respond because I knew this video was coming out within a few days. Glad you found it! (I'll probably still answer, but with a link to this video when I sit down and answer blog post comments.)
Brilliant detail and really well explained! Thanks!!
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Another awesome, clear, helpful and right on the money video. Thank you. YOU ARE THE MAN!
Glad it was helpful. Cheers!
Thank you for pointing out and explaining the NEC code for this. I'm thinking my combiner box already meets this, but since those are outside I'm going to install a box similar to what you demonstrated with right next to my inverter for convenience. I'm also going to put a label regarding the NEC code on it as a reminder. Your videos are all so clear and purposeful, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Hello Nate, Thanks for making all of these videos! The information is extremely helpful! Just wondering if you were ever considered making some videos for a setup much less complicated and on a smaller scale. Like an over-landing vehicle (Jeep) with a dual battery setup under the hood and 200W solar just to power a small propane heater and fridge? Something small enough that wouldn't require an inverter maybe? Thanks again and love the videos!
Thanks Nate, your brilliant 👍
Excellent video. Things are covered that I have asked about and never really got good answers although most you think you know why (it is good to have someone backup your theories, lol).
Some of my thoughts/questions that he answered: why you cannot use the 48 volt DC switches, why you cannot use an AC switch on DC, why you should use 2 wires instead of the usual 1 on a DC switch, etc.
Awesome video. I'm building an RV and was just at the stage of adding the solar disconnect. Learned a LOT with this and saved me a lot of hassle down the road, and possibly a disaster as well as I was about to use one of the switches you advised to never use here.
Glad it was helpful. Cheers!
Just started my journey on the campervan trail and I know nothing about electricity and wiring and all this and I apparently said something that surprised my grandpa that is an old naval electrical engineer so I must be learning something. Thanks for the great vids can't wait to learn more. Doing a box truck conversion on an old 1974 dodge 3/4 ton, my very first conversion project! So exciting
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Teacher!!!! All your videos are super helpful! I am learning slowly but surely! )))
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Professional done videos. Good Job!
Brilliant explanation!
Thank you!👍
Thanks for what you do👍
Thanks so much for your solar videos
Hey Paul Affeldt, No problem! Glad it helped! :)
Thank you. Purchased a new SSC and 32A breaker for our boat and subsequently realized that the breaker wiring could be “omni directional”. Now I’m good to go. Nicely done video.
Very helpful, I installed this in my new system
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Nate, I've been watching your videos for a while now. Your video production and associated blogs are of the highest quality and so professional, very impressive. Thanks so much for all the information you share. You have a great teaching style that seems to come so naturally to you. I don't personally build van's or campers but have used your helpful tutorials to build a solar shed and an off grid system for my Ham radio shack/office. 73 de W1SMM
Nice! Sounds like an awesome project! Thanks for watching!
Very helpful! Thank you!
Hey Dan Cronin, No problem! Glad it helped! :)
I like that cable duct, very flexible for wire entry
Leaned a lot from all your videos. Thanks. One tip I learned though (looks like you may have also, but omitted it in the video), once you cut and have run the wires into the box, remove the breaker for easier access to install the wires in the breaker. Then, you can push the wires back out and reinstall the breaker. 👍
You are the man
Thanks
I like the code references.
Cheers
Thanks for watching :)
This is a sweet video as always. Nice clean install too. For my trailer, however, my 2x panels in series will plug into an SAE input jack on the outside of the rig so assume I am ok just pulling the panel cable connection from there.
Maybe? Code doesn't say anything about that, but that would indeed disconnect both conductors at the same time.
Good stuff thanks 🙏
Thanks! 🙂🙌
... great tips as always ... and in 0.75-speed an old german guy can follow along as well ... ;-)
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Outstanding.
Hey Haut Monkay, No problem! Glad it helped! :)
Thanks Nato, watched the fourth time just to make sure.
LOL, that DC-DC charger just wasn't going to let you connect it instead of the MPPT charge controller! Love it.
While the NEC doesn't _technically_ apply to off-grid RV installations, they are, nonetheless best practices. As such, I follow code as much as possible and practical.
This is to say that not everyone does (follow code, that is). I just finished up redoing what what supposed to have been a completed off-grid solar system in a 1969 Airstream renovation. The original work was performed by an electrical engineer. When I got involved, there was one 100V/50A MPPT charge controller for the permanent roof-mount array *and* an auxiliary portable array! A 1-1+2-2 battery switch, rated for 32V max, was installed to connect/disconnect arrays. The 3S 100W panels produced ~65V nominal @ ~6A. This was all connected with 4AWG wire! What a mess.
To correct this, I installed a second, smaller MPPT SCC for the portable PV array. I eliminated the battery selector switch, and installed a non-polarized, dual pole, DC breaker in an enclosure. I did the same between the roof-mount PV array and the first MPPT SCC. I also transitioned the wire down from 4AWG to 10AWG. Not only is the 10AWG more than adequate for the current, but the silicone insulation made cable management so much easier.
A 30A shore power input was also previously installed...with zero protection between it and a MultiPlus worth well over $2K! I installed a non-polarized, dual pole, AC breaker on this line, as well, as one can never be certain what's coming off the post in many campgrounds.
Unbeknownst to me, my client then took the trailer to the largest solar dealer in Atlanta. He paid them $500 to check my work. They assured him that everything was correct. However, they also told him that it was "overkill." What! All I can say is, "Buyer beware."
Someone also told my client that the PV array must be grounded to the trailer chassis. Nothing could be further from correct. One should only ever consider grounding the frames of the PV array. Never the conductors! That's what the PV isolation breaker highlighted in this video is for!
As always, Nate, great work!
Haha! Yeah... totally did the Orion DC DC on purpose. Okay, maybe not, rofl! I didn't notice until I was doing my final viewing after editing , exporting, and uploading but before the video went public. I'm surprised it took 2000+ views before somebody noticed; so, good job paying attention!
@@EXPLORISTlife Star pupils!
Hi Nate, very helpful video as usual. Most other video simply recommend one of the other breakers that you suggested not be used due to voltage issues which I appreciate. One question I had was where do you get that black backer board for install? I dont see it on your parts list. Thanks
EXCELLENT!!!!
Thanks! 👍👍
I understand you need the breaker for a home system that is connected to the grid, ( I have a grid tie system) but I have not heard of having to follow code on a camper or off grid cabin. I put one in on the system that I installed on my toy hauler, but it was just for my own safety so I can disconnect it when I want to work on it
Ultimately, nobody is going to be checking our work on a camper. There are no inspectors for this. My goal is to teach the safest way I possibly can for this stuff and if people want to opt-out of particular things that they feel not important.. that's their prerogative.
Very helpful. Now you know.
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
@@EXPLORISTlife I’m planning on / hope to do an off grid whole house and shop in the next couple of years. I really like the setups you do. Victron and battle born.
I have done several of my own house and shop wiring. I want to do solar while the government still allows it.
Sounds like a cool project! 👍👍
Hi Nate, your videos are super good. I am learning a every time I watch your videos. Keep up the good work
My problem is my heat gun needs a hell of a big solar array to run 😂 Great channel and video!
lol, true. I usually use a heat gun when I'm testing a system and purposefully trying to drain the batteries a bit. I think I'm going to get one of the Dewalt cordless heat guns soon for general usage: amzn.to/3faSaBl
So if I wanted the breaker to act in the same way as a fuse would I choose a breaker slightly bigger than the short circuit amperage of my single panel. If that makes sense. Excellent video by the way.
I built out my electrical system according to the custom design you created for me and it works fantastic. I'm finally adding a 120W suitcase solar panel and the plan doesn't show a DC disconnect switch. Do I need one if I only plan to occasionally connect the panel to the MPPT charge controller? The disconnect would be the MC4 connectors between panel and charger controller.
I'd say it's fine without for portable panels. You can 'turn the panels off' by flipping them over face-down and then when you disconnect both MC4 connectors; that is effectively disconnecting both the positive and negative conductors.
Hi Nate. Thanks again for taking the time to put these together. We really appreciate it.
Quick question, are you using the glands just because they came with the box? It doesn't seem like it needs to be waterproof 😊 and two cables in one gland wouldn't do that anyways, right?
Are you worried about the edge of the entry hole abrading the cable? A simple grommet would work for that, no?
More for wire strain relief to help hold the wires in the breaker in the event it gets loose.
Gotcha. Thanks for the reply
GREAT INFO..... COULD YOU USE THE SAME BREAKER FOR disconnecting th batteries bank from midnite classic charge controller ?
I’ve ordered my disconnect and will be installing in the near future. Thanks so much for all your videos!
I do have a question…when the disconnect is switched off, and the PV panels are active, ie generating voltage, is there any heat build-up to be concerned with?
Nope. 👍
I have a 400w solar in series and a 40amp mppt. Do I have to used a dual breaker 50 amp or a 63amp ?
Thanks and really good videos 👍
This video is a great piece of information! I'll use it in my system. BTW, what app or program do you use for those terrific (and clear) diagrams?
Hey Greg! Glad it was helpful. I use Microsoft Visio for all of my diagrams.
Excellent ! One thing I don't understand and I know there is always a reason for why things are made the way they are. Why do the incoming wires positive and negative need to be disconnected simultaneously ?
In short: if the positive and negative wires upstream of the switch rub together and create a direct short, the negative wire could be carrying voltage even if the positive wire was disconnected. I'll let you google the long answer. It's in some white papers out there somewhere but I'll let you chase that rabbit on your own.
Very informative video, grateful your channel exists. Conscious of the space for electrics in my van (but of course safety comes first) - if I take two of those 48V max square breakers (one for the pos wire and one for the neg wire coming from one 24V PV) and position them side by side, would this have the same effect as a dim rail breaker and box? Thanks
Nope. The positive and negative conductors need to be able to disconnect simultaneously.
Ah I just noticed that although there are two pairs of wires to be fed into the breaker there is only one switch to flip that turns both off. Very helpful, thank you
Really great video. I would like to know what the Backer Board is that was used to screwing everything down to. I have looked at backer board for tiling but it is pretty brittle. I could use a piece of plywood but would like to find something a bit smoother. A sheet of ABS plastic would be nice but pretty expensive.
What did I use? or what should YOU use? lol For the sake of this video... that is the bottom (rubber) side of a $5 floor mat/rug that is screwed to a piece of plywood; which I would NOT recommend for a permanent install. BUT... in my next full install, I'll be using plywood with coin grip flooring covering the surfaces with the components screwed to that.
*FINAL UPDATE:* This video has been replaced by the following video: czcams.com/video/FbwxUedCe-c/video.html
Update: I'm phasing this specific breaker out of my systems/diagrams in favor of an actual solar isolator: shop.explorist.life/shop/all-products/switches-disconnects/solar-isolator-disconnect/ The connection method is 99% the same; just a different product. See the new isolator in use at the 42:00 mark in this video: czcams.com/video/01F4QDVJUq0/video.html
I assume that is because of the risk of getting reverse polarity if the connections through the DC-breaker are not made correctly?
Would you mind explaining why you aren't using breakers as a disconnect and instead using an isolator disconnect? Don't breakers give you a definable maximum current limitation plus the ability to disconnect power?
@@JoshuaJensenMuleMan He's recommending an isolator if you look at the link above.
Nate I bought the isolator from you site and am a bit confused on connection. Should negative's connect to 1/2 and positives 3/4?
Hello there. I also bought the new breaker...my solar wire is so small compared to the opening...what kind of ferrule or end should I put on there....the box is only like a 1/2 deep....or should I just smash the cable/wire between the plate and the back of the box??
As always great video! a quick question - ive been wiring the breakers you just showed NOT to wire , as thats the one youve been wiring before in the past. ( 50amp marine grade breaker. ) Is this a fire hazard in all my previously installed vans ?
I mean, I can't say that it will for sure start a fire, but pushing more voltage than rated is indeed a hazard. To what degree, I don't have a metric for.
Just a little FYI, the DIN rail circuit breaker box you link to is currently unavailable. However, other sellers are selling the same box.
Your videos are a great help to me. I'm working on putting together a 24V system, I don't know what the final size will be yet. I'm buying a few parts for it each month, as my finances are rather limited.
I've switched my recommendation away from this breaker and box largely because nobody on Amazon could keep them in stock. We now stock an actual DC isolation switch in our store. Check the pinned comment.
@@EXPLORISTlife Thanks, I'll do that.
I purchased this breaker box and 63 amp breaker from the product list on from your video. I see that the box fits two breakers. Is there a reason that I should not use a second identical breaker for the shut off and protection for my Orion dc to dc charger? 8 Awg for panel 6 Awg for Orion are the cable sizes I’m using. Thank you for all you do
Hi, I will be installing 8 Hanes Q. duo L- G8.3, 425w solar panels and I am confused what kind of PV array disconnect with DCbreakers. Thanks for your help.
How does the NEC effect vehicle systems? Except maybe good practices.
Thanks for this. I was able to do this following your link for parts and watching your video. And I have to say it works!!! But I have a question!? This disconnects power from the solar array. So that you can work safely on your unit. But isn't there still power of the battery?? Thats a safety concern as well?? I dont know anything abt electric still learning tks. I guess when you shut of power, w the disconnect it should be followed with disconnecting the battery as well.? For total safety
All of my systems at www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams do indeed have a switch at the battery that would need to be turned off before anything else.
Hi. According to your explanation: 63amps dc breaker >250v fits all solar systems between pv and solar inverter. What about the amp size of dc circuit breaker between the inverter and the batteries? And the ac circuit breaker between in and out ac current?
I have one question…. I have my tiny little teardrop camper wired up exactly the way you described! I’m about to rewire things, make a cleaner, tighter install. I’ve seen others install the solar disconnect without putting it into the waterproof box that you used. In my install I really don’t have very much space. Can I get away without using the water proof box?
I purchased two of these breakers from your link a while back. My plan was to use the second one in the same enclosure as a shut off for my Orion dc to dc charger. I was hoping that the 63 amp rating would offer redundant over current protection for my 6 awg cable coming from the van bus bar under the drivers seat. Is this an ok application for the breaker?
Hi Nate
Loving your videos - thanks. I have a question about wiring the switch up. I saw a video saying that you have the have the pos and neg on certain sides otherwise the unit bursts in to flames when turned off? Obviously + to + and - to -, but does it matter which side of the unit is used? mine has a large N on one of the terminals on the right hand side so guess that would be the neg connection, but does it really matter if i run the positive down the right hand side of the switch or the left hand side of the switch?? Hope that makes sense?
many thanks
Hi Nate, this is a great video like so many of yours. We live in Australia and I have a question, our caravan has a 1000 watts of solar on the roof and is connected to a Victron 250/70 mmpt solar controller. Our system hasn’t been installed with a solar disconnect, what size would you suggest. Regards Brian
Great vid as usual. and I already bought the box and breaker, but...should you, or can you also have an inline fuse/breaker on a single 400 watt solar panel?
You need a disconnect, but no fuse. More info: czcams.com/video/s1P31hxlD3I/video.html
Just finished watching, great as always. My van is in the design phase and I am trying to physically locate this switch where it would be easy locate such that it is immediately accessible to emergency services in the event of an MVA or similar emergency. My thought is to place it in an electrical box accessible from the out side where the shore power enters the van. Passenger side just behind the rear axle. The electrical room is above the rear axle in the rear garage and accessible for maintenance by lifting the step to the twin bed above the garage. The solar shut off box and accompanying door will be a pain to fabricate but provides some security and yet quick accessibility and visible to fire fighters and EMS.
Do you or any van owners have thoughts on this?
Thanks for watching! So... I was a career firefighter before this whole CZcams thing, so I may be able to shed some light on that issue... but firefighters/EMS aren't going to be looking for a solar disconnect switch in an RV during an MVA. Maybe in the future, as more electric cars and solar powered campers become a thing, firefighters will be trained more on this kind of stuff, but even If I, as a firefighter, saw a solar disconnect switch; it's highly unlikely I would touch it as I wouldn't know for 100% what it does or what other 'downstream' hazards that flipping that switch may do.
If, in the event that the body of the vehicle was energized... We would call the local utility company to have a lineman come out and get recommendations on how to proceed safely.
Basically... do it if you want, for sure... but I wouldn't stress about it.
@@EXPLORISTlife what does MVA stand for?
Motor Vehicle Accident
As Nate mentions, first responders aren't likely to know to look for this disconnect, or use it in the event of an emergency. The primary reason for this isolation switch/breaker is to allow you to safely work on your electrical system by safely disconnecting a source of live DC current even in low light conditions.
Can I use 2 single pole 10amp DC breakers side by side coming from just a single 100 watt solar panel, then to 10amp controller just for using as switches to disconnect + and - from solar panels......Or just put the breaker on the positive from solar panel.
Cheers, great video's!
Jason.
You ***can*** do whatever you like. I've provided the proper information; now it's up to you to decide what you actually want to do. 👍🙂
Hi there. I wired this same breaker between my panels and controller. Are they ever defective? I now show volts coming in but no amps. All readings were good before I added the same breaker.
Yes panel wires come in the top, and bottom wires go to controller….same polarity.
Awsome video as usual! Is it really a good idea to put two cables through a wire glands?
If you don't need the gland to be waterproof an are just using them for strain relief, it's totally fine.
Why is the disconnect amps set at "greater than 30"? Have a 30 amp controller which is sized for a system a bit bigger than mine. Why do I need more than a 30 amp disconnect? Great stuff!
That is explained in the 2nd half of the video. 👍
Nate, great video. I have question I've been trying to figure out the answer for. I have 100 W panel installed on my campervan's roof and now I want a flexible addon system so I've bought a foldable 120 W panel that I'm pulling out every now and then to increase the solar power charging. I want it wired to the same Victron Smart Solar 75/15, all good there.. but! I want a flexible way of connecting and disconnecting the foldable panel. I'm thinking a socket and a plug but also a switch, either for both panels or only for the foldable one so I can flip the switch to disconnect, plug in the foldable panel, then flip the switch again to connect the panel to the Victron Smart Solar. Is that a viable and for the equipment safe way of handling my desired use case ? I realise now that you say that the voltage maximum is an issue for my idea.. If I use a disconnect maybe I'll mess it up by maybe flipping it on and off every day for a couple of times a day for a couple of weeks straight, they're not designed for that use as I've heard.
Best regards
Magnus from Sweden.
I have a combiner box outside by the panels in a weather proof box with 3 - 15amp breakers will this be ok and not have to be in the house.
Makes perfect sense, thanks! Question about the reset breakers you show at 5:37 though, the middle breaker shown is (I believe) an audio line breaker? I've been told these are totally unsuitable for use as a breaker for any constant DC power load. Is this correct? If so, what makes them unsuitable?
Yeah, I don't recommend those in any electrical system because there isn't a reputable manufacturer that makes that type of breaker (maybe there is a good reason for that?). Blue Sea, Cooper, Eaton, Bussman, Littelfuse are a few of the overcurrent protection manufacturers I'm looking at when purchasing and recommending overcurrent protection.
Thanks @@EXPLORISTlife , that was close as I was about to put a bunch of these breakers (bimetallic I think they are called?) in my van. Concerning as I deliberately sought them out as they are the type used by the auto electrician who originally put my inverter in. Anyway, think I'll perhaps look at just an ANL fuse for the battery and either the Bussman or Blue Sea 187 series breaker for my inverter and perhaps just a basic blade fuse box for everything else (nothing above 40A).
Hi Nate, will Anderson plugs comply with the standard?
Thanks for the video! I’m wondering, hypothetically if a charge controller with an on/off switch would accomplish the same objective as a breaker?thank you
I don’t really like dealing in hypotheticals. I’m more of an action-based-solutions kind of guy.
Question. Can I use 10 awg PV wire for other power uses inside the RV, as I've a lot of it left over. Thanks for any help.
Is there a breaker panel that takes and sends out three pairs of md4 connectors for multiple panel groups connecting to the new Victron smart solar 150/85 or bigger controllers...I'd rather use dedicated cables for each group and not seeing why I don't stick with the BogueRV prepared cables... new to all things solar though.
From the video (I only watched once) it seems the breaker is just a two pole switch in all practical purposes. Why not just use a two pole Anderson type plug?
Have you seen the double pole DC breakers were the wire polarity at the top is opposite at the bottom of the breaker they have + & - marked on each end and are aligned opposite ?
be carefull with them, they can catch fire when trips off even under normal current if they were wired with wrong polarity
Excellent info you have provided! Would it be possible to combine the breaker shutoff feature and also be able to satisfy the fuse requirements on that side of the controller? Say one needed a 30amp fuse on the positive side between the controller and panels, couldn't the shutoff breaker be rated at 30amp, allowing the breaker to do a dual duty? An older video but perhaps someone out there has a thought on this...thx
Nope. The fusing would need to be on the 'panel' side of the combiner.
Hey how are you doing? First of all, I like to see how you explain all your videos . I'm starting been interesting in solar panel systems & I built one in my house as a fun time. Now, I bought a solar controller similar to a Panda one or something like that; & I have noticed that wattages/amps are fluctuating too much. My system is built with: 4 panels of 100ah 12v in series/parallel making 24v system, solar controller 60amps, inverter 3500w, now I'm using 4awg wires for batteries, 10awg solar controller/panels, 8awg controller/batteries, also, & maybe this is the reason of fluctuating 4 car batteries. Could you give some tips about why wattages/amps are fluctuating too much.? thanks in advance.
Hey, Wilfredo Hernandez! I appreciate you taking the time to ask your question, but unfortunately, I don't have enough info about your specific question to provide an accurate answer, but here is a playlist that, if you watch all of the videos start-to-finish (and take notes 😉), you'll have a REALLY good idea of how to design a solar array which may help with your troubleshooting: czcams.com/video/Jkbs84sBHsg/video.html
Hi, this is such a great video! I’m wanting to make a quick PV disconnect inline switch for a tiny, camping DIY solar generator / power box using a 12v Renogy 10A solar controller, connect to a 12 watt .5A solar panel and a 7Ah NPP SLA battery. It’s purpose it so power small devices for a tent. There are situations where it would be helpful to shut down the solar panel current coming to the controller while working on the battery or removing the battery. The controller instructions however say not unplug the panel before the battery so I’m guessing a regular inline SAE switch cable is not advised? If so, do you have any smaller current 12v switches you can recommend? Are any of the ones you pointed to in this video (that do not work for larger, gov regulated systems) good for my set up? Thanks so much!
Our inverter has 2 mppt input each can take 11A . but our PV Panel produces 17.33A. Can we use Y connector to divide current and input 8.665A per mppt input?
I have a solar generator in my house that will be hooked to three 400 watt solar panels wired in series. Together the three panels will generate 150 volts DC at 9 amps. It looks like the breakers you are using will work with this setup. Are there any similar breakers that can be used outside. I would prefer to mount the breakers at the panels on my solar ground mount rather than inside the house.
One question, you said it is a regulation to have a solar breaker, so why does Jayco and multiple more caravan builders don’t install it?
All that it is on the incoming positive wire is a 30a fuse.
Great video! Love your channel!
Do you have a video on how to know where to install solar panels on an rv's (travel trailer in my case) roof?
Thank you! Again, great channel!
What are you looking to do? ALL RV / roof tops are different. and lots of people do different things on the tops of their RV. I took out/off my AC unit and put on 1,005 watts of solar. What size RV do you have and what are you looking to do? :)
Where they fit. Find the edge and or RIBS of the RV and screw into them.
Hey Wa G! Thanks for watching. I don't have a video over that specifically, but will have a video coming out soon that will teach the best size and number of solar panels to use to get to your 'goal wattage' that I will attempt to cover panel placement in.
Look up best way to mount solar panels to RV roof on CZcams. He uses channel strut which can be attached to the roof trusses and then the panels to the strut. The panels don't usually line up with the trusses so this method addresses that. I was lucky enough to have a hard frost one morning that showed me where the trusses are on my rig. I've heard of some people asking the manufacturer for a roof diagram to find where to drill. I used 1/2" aluminum from a company called Zoro.
@@RVingwithG I have a 1995 Jayco Eagle 304bh. I wanna add solar but I'll take a better look when I get the snow off 😁. Thank you
I switched to that double pole last summer because you mentioned it in another video. Thanks for the explanation as to why. It sounds like that was an update in the 2020 code so there's probably lots of incorrectly wired PV systems on RVs. I had the Blue sea systems circuit breaker and my series/parallel was around 44v so I guess it was ok but I had tunnel vision looking at the amperage and not the max voltage. Thanks for explaining this in detail, great job and thank you 😁👍
Yeah, I've made that mistake in the past as well before I really dove into doing this stuff (and teaching it) properly.
Quick question. Would this solar disconnect work with 5.4 amp setup? I am starting off small, but I want to do things right. I have 100 watts of solar and one battery.
Nate, thanks for the great video again. They are always helpful! Is it legal to use the disconnect without the enclosure to save space by taking the DIN rail out and just mounting it directly to the backing board?
It's really best to have it in the enclosure.
@@EXPLORISTlife Thanks!
That's what I would need to do. The box is too big for my application.
Thank you, what's your advice for setting it up on a small boat? One 300 w panel just for a fridge/freezer going to a lithium battery. 6.25 m hard top but gets salty.
I need a solar panel A/B switch. In other to send solar to two different inverters/chargers. Any ideas.
Hi Nate, i ordered the breaker you recommended in your link, but the wireing diagram on the front of it says black red on top and red black on the bottom, in the video you wired the breaker black red on top and black red on the bottom..can you please tell me the correct wiring for the breaker you recommended in your link