Another 6x12 Vee Nose Trailer build begins

[BigRockSpeaker]

Hey guys, raining here in NY, so the kitchen build has slowed to a crawl... Saturday is showing promise so I hope to get a bunch done then.

While this thread is on the topic of solar:

I have a PD4100 series power control center, the kind that can charge the battery(ies) while connected to shore power.  Does anyone have any instructions, schematics, tips, etc. for connecting up a solar controller to it so that I can charge by either?  I did find a link, http://tech.akom.net/archives/39-Getting-RV-Solar-and-Shore-power-to-coexist-nicely.html, that provides some suggestions, but it seems this author is an amateur electrician, and I'm looking for a 2nd opinion.

FYI, I am just at the early, exploratory phase of my solar journey.  I have the basic, $149, 100W Harbor Freight Tools solar kit with controller.  I've only used it a few times to try it out, so far I am happy with it, but want to see how it works out in the real world.

 

[highdesertranger]

you can connect the solar controller straight to the battery(s). different charge sources don't need any special hardware. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Yes, put all your charge sources running concurrently to the same bank, NP.

Don't listen to experts saying they'll confuse each other, it all works out fine.

 

[Canine]

Furthermore, attach all positive wires to the same terminal. Attach all negative wires to the same terminal. If you have four 12 volt batteries in parallel, don't attach the charge controller to one battery then a automotive battery charger running off of shore power to another battery. If you add another charge controller, connect it to the same terminals as well. All the loads go to the same spot as well. The positive wire from your inverter will be on the same battery terminal as the positive from the charge controller, etc.

Don't listen to the guy in the link you provided. He thinks he knows what he is doing, but he doesn't completely have it right. That was a long-winded cluster that still didn't end well.

 

[John61CT]

Yes, ignore that akom.net site, way too complex, solutions in search of problems.

 

[Riverman]

Target date for me to pick up my trailer at the factory is April 14, we will see. The hardest part will be insulating it, then it will be easy to do the rest.

I may have to get some help from you guys at the July weekend in the Smokies. Come on down BigRockSpeaker.

If I don't need any help by then, we sure will have lots to compare on our trailers.