I believe I ran across a post by
@Verna as it pertained to 12v fridges and how to run them at camp. She mentioned running one using her exterior SAE port that would typically be used for solar panels. It had never dawned on me to use that as a 12v power source. I'm assuming the 400 is wired directly to the battery as well, right? That means you could use this to power any 12v equipment externally. Awesome idea!
I've debated on installing a charge controller inside the 400 for that port (to use a solar suitcase) but I'm wondering now if it leaves more options to just install the charge controller on the solar suitcase (or buy one that has one installed already) and have that SAE port pulling double duty. Thoughts?
Comments
All the various suitcases and trickle solar panels I have fit the factory SAE polarity. But other 12V things may require you to use a crossover SAE connector. The things I was planning to plug in - like fan, compressor fridge, inflator - came wired mismatched relative to the factory SAE prongs (when I installed a backup port at the tub to get 12V power at the front of the camper).
SW Montana USA
As alluded to above, make sure your load matches the wire gauge to the SAE port. Check the wire gauge (maybe 12 AWG?, which equates to 20 amps?) and confirm your load won't exceed the wire gauge rating. You can Google wire gauge amp ratings.
2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6
2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
Brad
2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
Concord, NC
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
Brad
2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
Concord, NC
That would have been my guess, but I have no idea what goes on in the controller. Does it act as a diode to only allow flow in one direction?
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
I have never tried to locate a circuit diagram for one, maybe someone else has or is more familiar with the circuitry inside the "magic box".
Brad
2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
Concord, NC
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
Cheers
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
Cheers
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
2019 320 Boondock Edge - Sold Jan 2022
I've always thought the LOAD terminals allowed the used of the panels as a stand-alone 12V power source (i.e., not connected to a battery). I may be wrong about this--admittedly I've never had any reason to use the LOAD terminals so never gave it a whole lot of thought.
The more I read about this the more I wonder about having a charge controller between this port and the battery. Having the flexibility to have an exterior power source could come in handy.
2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
Yeah, that's probably the obvious solution but we've yet to need the external port for solar and I didn't want to make any additional holes or do additional work until I know what we need/don't need. If I can use that port for both then I figure let's do that until I really know what our long-term needs are (if any). And if we realize we don't need solar then I haven't done anything too drastic.
2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
While it is true that an MPPT will slightly outperform the PWM controller that comes with many suitcases, you get a plug and play system that does what you want.
2019 320 Boondock Edge - Sold Jan 2022
i was thinking of just putting it under our comforter on the bed when traveling. Assuming it has a case (that’s clean) it seems like the easiest way to store it while traveling at least.
2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
We don't take them on every trip, depending on how we are camping and the weather outlook.
2019 320 Boondock Edge - Sold Jan 2022
2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road