I bought a cargo trailer that already had 200 watts of solar on it and a controller and deep cycle battery. I went ahead and hooked it up and its charged now. I have a jackary 240 and another 500 watt 'generator' and portable panels appropriate for each of them. Can I put a 12 plug on the load or the deep cycle in the trailer and plug the packs in while traveling or is that ill-advised? I had seen someone say you should not hook a pack with its own charge controller to another charge controller. Is this just because it is unnecessary or will it cause a problem. I understand it probably isn't the most efficient use of the panels but it would be the most convenient.
charging lipo pack from load off another solar system
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Scott3569
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I would be interested to see what kind of answers you get.. From what I have learned, I think it might depend on your Controller for one thing.
you already able to charge the jackary via 12v socket.. so with my limited knowledge, I don't think that is an issue.. you can do it from your car, so why couldn't you do it from another 12v source.. it would make since to me..
but seriously I have my own issues with electric and power.. so I am going to follow the thread so I can try to learn..
you already able to charge the jackary via 12v socket.. so with my limited knowledge, I don't think that is an issue.. you can do it from your car, so why couldn't you do it from another 12v source.. it would make since to me..
but seriously I have my own issues with electric and power.. so I am going to follow the thread so I can try to learn..
highdesertranger
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I am not understanding at all what you are trying to do.
Do you want to charge your portables by using the existing system on the trailer?
What is the plan with the panels you already had?
You shouldn't try to run the charge circuit through two controllers.
You should be able to charge the portables using the port that you would normally plug into you vehicle ciggy plug.
Head on over to the "Newcomers corner" and give us an intro.
Highdesertranger
Do you want to charge your portables by using the existing system on the trailer?
What is the plan with the panels you already had?
You shouldn't try to run the charge circuit through two controllers.
You should be able to charge the portables using the port that you would normally plug into you vehicle ciggy plug.
Head on over to the "Newcomers corner" and give us an intro.
Highdesertranger
Pretty much as I was thinking. The things I had seen did not seem to indicate if it was problematic, or just inefficient or unnecessary. I see no reason it would not work so I can get some charge benefit while moving without having to make some switch arrangement to change out the battery but I will defer to the more experienced.
The controller is just a noname cheap pwm 60 amp controller.
The controller is just a noname cheap pwm 60 amp controller.
highdesertranger said:
Vehicle plug has backup cam in in it while traveling, at least for the moment. I want to use the panels on the trailer so the sunlight while traveling isnt wasted on the already full leadacid deepcycle. What Im asking is the advice about pluging into the charge controller or direct to the battery cause a problem, wont work, or is just inefficient.
alternatively would it be appropriate to create a split where the panels feed both the trailer controller, and a plug to feed one or both or the lipo packs at the same time. Or a DPDT or multi position switch to select storage systems.
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The former I already have what is necessary. the latter I would have to buy a switch and adapters[/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif] to accomplish.[/font]
Plan with the other panels is to put them out when camped to recharge as needed. Or perhaps to sell or donate to someone in need after I learn what I need for my cpap and refrigeration and other needs.
ldsreliance
Well-known member
This is very confusing.
You may want to stop using the term "lipo". Those portable power stations use lithium iron phosphate cells, not lithium polymer. So that part is confusing when you are referring to them as lipo. Not a big deal, just trying to make sure we have all our terms correct so we can understand you.
If the trailer electrical system is going to be live while you are driving, which I am assuming it is since you are charging the batteries, then just plug the portable power stations into a cigarette lighter socket or run a cable off of the "load" output of the existing trailer charge controller and feed that into one or the other of the portable power stations. I assume you want the trailer system to continue to function as is but also add these other auxiliary systems in as needed. Hopefully I understood that right.
You may want to stop using the term "lipo". Those portable power stations use lithium iron phosphate cells, not lithium polymer. So that part is confusing when you are referring to them as lipo. Not a big deal, just trying to make sure we have all our terms correct so we can understand you.
If the trailer electrical system is going to be live while you are driving, which I am assuming it is since you are charging the batteries, then just plug the portable power stations into a cigarette lighter socket or run a cable off of the "load" output of the existing trailer charge controller and feed that into one or the other of the portable power stations. I assume you want the trailer system to continue to function as is but also add these other auxiliary systems in as needed. Hopefully I understood that right.
highdesertranger
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That^.
I think I got it.
Put a ciggy lighter on the battery in the trailer and plug your portables into that. The same as you would plug it into your vehicle. Not into the solar input of your portables.
Highdesertranger
I think I got it.
Put a ciggy lighter on the battery in the trailer and plug your portables into that. The same as you would plug it into your vehicle. Not into the solar input of your portables.
Highdesertranger
I concur. I also have a few ideas. So...
I think initially what they were referring to was plugging the trailers 12v battery into the solar input on the generator. That IS NOT WISE.
If the "generator" has a ciggy port that's the bestest most easiest solution. Just like you plugged it into a cars ciggy port as stated above.
Alternatively, I was very interested in solar "generators" a while back. Many of them have a built in feature to shut them off when they reach 20% SOC (state of charge) the ones that do will often ONLY CHARGE from 120v AC power when the safety feature is tripped. So investing in a pure sine wave inverter to reset them and running that off of the trailer battery is a good idea.
Just enough wattage to charge the power stations/"generators". Also many of them charge more quickly from AC than DC as seen in their documentation. If the trailer battery is full then I wouldn't fret over the efficiency loss of running an inverter to charge the power stations.
I think initially what they were referring to was plugging the trailers 12v battery into the solar input on the generator. That IS NOT WISE.
If the "generator" has a ciggy port that's the bestest most easiest solution. Just like you plugged it into a cars ciggy port as stated above.
Alternatively, I was very interested in solar "generators" a while back. Many of them have a built in feature to shut them off when they reach 20% SOC (state of charge) the ones that do will often ONLY CHARGE from 120v AC power when the safety feature is tripped. So investing in a pure sine wave inverter to reset them and running that off of the trailer battery is a good idea.
Just enough wattage to charge the power stations/"generators". Also many of them charge more quickly from AC than DC as seen in their documentation. If the trailer battery is full then I wouldn't fret over the efficiency loss of running an inverter to charge the power stations.
Sorry for my mis use of the term lipo to refer to these battery packs, I was just being lazy.
I believe the last 3 responses were understanding me correctly. Sorry if I was unclear. I just want to plug the pack into the Load on the trailer system using the 12 charger included with the pack, just as if I was plugging it into the cig plug in the cab. I did not know if the warnings about having one battery charge controller feeding another applied in this situation. I didn't expect so but since the warnings never include a reason, it was hard to evaluate. Is it unwise because the voltage, or amperage is too low, or for the same reason its unwise for ghost busters to cross the streams.
This is not my long term solution, I'm just using the stuff I already have to get started. When I get on the road and have a better idea of my needs, I will invest in a good 400+ watt system for the top of the van. Ultimately my current thinking is that the trailer will be a rolling workshop. Its solar will primarily be for the lights and fan and maybe some low current tools and exterior camp lights and such, strictly 12v. There is a 5kw generator on the hitch that came with the trailer which I will use when/if needed if I'm using things like skillsaw or grinder or other tools that have a higher voltage/current demand. Van system when I get it will be a separate system altogether but for the moment I will be using these 2 'generators' in the van for cpap w/o humidifier, refrigeration, and lighting... If it proves insufficient for refrigeration then I may have to expedite the upgrade since I need to keep insulin cool.
I believe the last 3 responses were understanding me correctly. Sorry if I was unclear. I just want to plug the pack into the Load on the trailer system using the 12 charger included with the pack, just as if I was plugging it into the cig plug in the cab. I did not know if the warnings about having one battery charge controller feeding another applied in this situation. I didn't expect so but since the warnings never include a reason, it was hard to evaluate. Is it unwise because the voltage, or amperage is too low, or for the same reason its unwise for ghost busters to cross the streams.
This is not my long term solution, I'm just using the stuff I already have to get started. When I get on the road and have a better idea of my needs, I will invest in a good 400+ watt system for the top of the van. Ultimately my current thinking is that the trailer will be a rolling workshop. Its solar will primarily be for the lights and fan and maybe some low current tools and exterior camp lights and such, strictly 12v. There is a 5kw generator on the hitch that came with the trailer which I will use when/if needed if I'm using things like skillsaw or grinder or other tools that have a higher voltage/current demand. Van system when I get it will be a separate system altogether but for the moment I will be using these 2 'generators' in the van for cpap w/o humidifier, refrigeration, and lighting... If it proves insufficient for refrigeration then I may have to expedite the upgrade since I need to keep insulin cool.
