Suitcase Solar to 7 pin Connector

Ikanizer

I currently have a 160W suitcase panel and charge controller connected to my ‘23 Tab 400 (3 x 100ah lithium) via the 7 pin connector on the trailer tongue. I want to add a second 220W suitcase panel. Does anyone know if the power wire between the 7 pin is adequate to take up to 25 amps at 12V. 

Horigan

For that amperage you need 10 AWG wire.  The 7 pin wire is not that thick.  You may want to install a dedicated SAE connector, or two, near your battery and wire 10 AWG to the battery, assuming your second suitcase has the solar controller included in it.  You could also create an SAE parallel wire connector that would enable plugging two panels into a single SAE outlet.

AnOldUR

Everything that @Horigan said, except if I had it to do over again I’d go with Anderson connectors. May make the switch if I get the motivation. 

elbolillo

I would add that having the solar charger closer to the battery is more efficient. My Victron MPPT charger is a couple of feet away from the batteries and I put an external port (MC4 connectors) in the Nautilus cubby.

bjn2

Here's an Anderson connector port that looks decent for the price. I installed a two pin Powerworx port that's similar. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXQF7S4P/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0DXQF7S4P&pd_rd_w=dh1eI&content-id=amzn1.sym.8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_p=8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_r=7MD6TPG258F02XND4N8A&pd_rd_wg=4pKGK&pd_rd_r=feb24248-f5bd-4e11-9e6d-3afb2a8ac5d5&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

Ikanizer

Thanks for all the responses. I’m gonna install a bulkhead connection in the nautilus cubby for both suitcase panels. 10 AWG to batteries from there. I will use the charge controllers that come with the panels for now.

 I still have not been able to figure out what gauge the power wire is downstream of the 7 pin connector. I’ve read that it is 10 AWG. Can anyone confirm?

Horigan

I would crawl under the front of the trailer and open the junction box to see what gauge wires are going to that terminal.  It may be different for different years.  On my 2019 I don't recall wires that thick going to the junction box.

AnOldUR

Increased current flow also increases voltage drop, This is a little confusing because the voltage between the panel and controller is higher making for lower amperage. The controller lowers the voltage and raises the amperage between it and the battery. I believe this means that the wire size between the panel and controller can be smaller as long as it can handle the amperage and not be as affected by voltage drop. The higher amperage between the controller and battery requires a larger wire size to reduce voltage drop between them.

I’m by no means an expert on this. Is it correct?

Horigan

You got it.  Higher voltage allows lower amperage and smaller wire size.

Ikanizer

I crawled around under my trailer and confirmed that the charge wire from the 7 pin connector to the junction box and heading to the battery is 10 AWG. 

2023 Tab 400.