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Factory Solar Port

Alan57
Alan57 Member Posts: 24
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
My 2017 320 Outback has a solar port on the front tub. Can I plug a solar panel into it and not have to go through the process of adding a separate solar controller? If so, what are the capabilities and limitations? 
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Comments

  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,725
    edited October 2025
    All solar panels require a controller. Some are mounted to the panel for convenience, but mounting one close to the battery will reduce voltage drop and increase the efficiency of your system. From the factory the port is wired directly to the battery (bypassing the battery switch) and has no controller between the port and the battery.

    Buying a panel without a controller and adding a Victron controller that can be networked with other Victron devices has been our choice.
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    Many owners have portable panels and used the "SAE" port on the side of the tub.  If you look at your battery, you will see two sets of wires (or, you should!).  One set of wires go to the trailer back to the WFCO, and the other set of wires go to the solar port.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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