Connecting suitcase/portable solar to battery

Michael49

Just bought a 100W suitcase solar with built in controller to use on our 400 (to supplement the rooftop solar when the roof is in the shade).

It comes with alligator clips to attach to the battery but the battery in the 400 is difficult to access.

I was considering attaching some heavy gauge wire (8 or 10 gauge) to the battery (maybe 2 feet long) which I can use to more easily attach the alligator clips to the battery. ? Wire lugs on the end of these wires to attach the alligator clips to (covered when not in use).

Any better ideas/options?

Horigan

I installed a Zamp Solar port on the side of the front cubby, like on the 320, and ran wires to the positive and negative terminals in the junction box right below it.  I attached it to the same lugs that the tow vehicle charging wires attach to.

DenisP

Installed a Furrion Solar port for my 100 w portable

Michael49

DenisP said:

Installed a Furrion Solar port for my 100 w portable

Looks great Denis - I might do this eventually but trying to keep it simple for now. Did you do the install yourself?
FYI - I'm in Western Mass. 

Michael49

Horigan said:

I installed a Zamp Solar port on the side of the front cubby, like on the 320, and ran wires to the positive and negative terminals in the junction box right below it.  I attached it to the same lugs that the tow vehicle charging wires attach to.

Thanks - Any photos?

pthomas745

This guy did it on his 400.  He has examples of the SAE port he used.  From Big Guy Tiny Trailer:

http://www.bigguytinytrailer.com/2019/01/23/zamp-connector-added-new-camper/

The 'dreaded" Zamp plug is simply an SAE connector.  That style connector has been used for a while on battery tenders, etc.   There are many simple harnesses that would attach to the battery and allow an SAE cable from your controller to click right in.  Honestly, I don't really know where the access to the batteries in the 400 is, so this may not be as easy as I'm assuming.

https://www.amazon.com/BatteryMINDer-RTA-2415-Terminal-Assembly-Line/dp/B00KS6BLY0?ref_=Oct_MGiftedC_15720011_6&pf_rd_r=FDCNXHGXD4VZ6Z5SA2WG&pf_rd_p=6ca81d4d-e7b9-5dee-8084-92b32e7c1df6&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=15720011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Horigan

Here's a picture of where I installed the plug on a different trailer.  Easier to install here on the 400 compared to the side wall near the battery.  The junction box is below this on the front frame.

Here's a link to the Zamp port that I used.

https://www.amazon.com/ZAMP-SOLAR-ZS-SOLARPORT-Waterproof-Solar/dp/B07GNMPZZG/ref=asc_df_B07GNMPZZG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061936460&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1511056700064302893&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033309&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-619904387204&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63195598478&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312061936460&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1511056700064302893&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033309&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-619904387204

rfuss928

A 7-pin socket wired to the Ground and +12v terminals lets you use your trailer pig tail as an access port to the battery.

Shown here with a SAE type plug installed

tepe50

rfuss928 said:

A 7-pin socket wired to the Ground and +12v terminals lets you use your trailer pig tail as an access port to the battery.

Shown here with a SAE type plug installed

this is the same thing I did yesterday works fine

ScottG

I wouldn't use the alligator clamps anywhere other than the battery terminals themselves.

A simple option would be make your harness with ring terminals on one end and MC4 connectors on the other. If you replace the suitcase's alligator clamps with a couple more MC4s, you'll have a sturdy plug system for attaching your panels. Attaching the ring terminals and MC4s does require making crimp fittings (but so do most other solutions).

I use a modular controller and did something similar with my battery. In your case the controller is probably on the suitcase so you would only need two connectors.