Mounting location for solar charge controller?

NateColo · July 2020

Hi all,

I'm thinking of adding a Victron 30A charge controller and one or two suitcase panels. Curious where most people are mounting the controller - inside the T@b, or outside in the tub that holds the battery/propane? And if you mounted it in the tub, did you install some extra bracket, or did you drill into the tub sides?

Thanks in advance!

ps 2017 Max S here

Denny16 · July 2020

As close to the battery as possible.
cheers

Sharon_is_SAM · July 2020

@NateColo, we did not permanently mount our charge controller for our suitcases. Instead, we used industrial strength velcro to mount it to the inside of the tub lid. Keeps it out of the weather and easy to remove for travel. We do not have the Victron, so I am not sure of any limitations with their device.

pthomas745 · July 2020

When my panel is in use, the controller just sits inside the propane box. If you mount it permanently to the side of the box, you might have issues with connecting/disconnecting the 4 wires that are needed to connect everything up. (Using some sort of quick disconnect can avoid this issue if you mount it permanently).

MarkAl · July 2020

There's a lot of experienced people on this forum but here's my 2 cents. Ideally you want the high battery charging currents to have minimum run so the tub is ideal. BUT, the WFCO (120V charger) and the T@B's installed solar charger are under the driver side bench. So existing high capacity wires already exist AND it's weather protected. I'm planning to mount my suitcase controller under the bench with my Smartshunt wiring. Besides unless you have a high voltage / power solar array, the power loss from the high current is not that much more than the solar panel's wiring to the controller. Mount it where it's easiest for you and use as big a diameter wire as you manage.

Note (I'm going off techy again) if there is any electrical instability with the controllers, having the longer wire runs from the battery is bad BUT I have not read of any of these concerns. Even in this case having all the controllers close together usually is better than having them spread around.

NateColo · July 2020

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Sounds like inside the tub, closest to battery, is the way to go. I plan to permanently wire it and use a set of panel connectors on the side of the box as the quick disconnect.

Denny16 · July 2020

if you want a permanent install, go with MarkAl’s suggestion, and mount it inside the TaB, nor sure how weather proof the controller is. Mark has a good point about the bigger code wire back to the battery also. My original suggestion was based on temp location while using it, but factory installation is in the a TaB.
cheers

ChanW · July 2020

Regarding weather resistance, I asked the dealer where I purchased our Victron, 'Remote Power Source' (Amazon)...
They said:

They have an IP43 rating:
" protected against sprays of water from any direction " 
(Not submersible)

Also, there is a strain-relief & terminal cover available for the 75 & 100 controllers, that covers where the wires enter the box.

Like this:

These bits made me feel that mounting it in the battery box shouldn't be a problem.

Denny16 · July 2020

With the wiring cover, that should work well in the Battery/Gas Tub.
cheers

NateColo · July 2020

Thanks again, all!

ScottG · July 2020

Similar to what Sharon_is_Sam described above, I went for a modular approach. My controller is mounted in a box (a '70s vintage steel NFL lunchbox in my case) and is attached via MC4 pigtails in the tub. With this configuration I can stash the controller when not in use, and I can also still use my suitcase as a portable stand-alone charger.

Either way, I agree the charger should be as close to the battery as possible to minimize voltage drop and maximize charging capability.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ov/vwjya6h5um7n.jpg

sqrpeg · July 2020

I'm in the "as close to the battery as possible" camp too. For our setup I used a sheet of LDPE (plastic cutting board material) to make a mounting panel for the solar controller, battery monitor shunt enclosure, solar cutoff switch and negative battery post. The mounting panel spans roughly half of the back of the tub, and also helps keep rain/road spray from getting inside (the other half is partially enclosed using a repurposed soffit vent). The large circular hole provides access to the original battery cutoff switch.

EDIT: Should have mentioned that the solar input wires (yellow) go to the cutoff switch, fuse, and then onward to the solar panel via an MC4-terminated pigtail.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/4z/ea228nvb9y6c.jpg

pthomas745 · July 2020

I forgot the solar lunchbox! @sqrpeg , that is an impressive install.

Some more lunchbox examples. I may have to do one of these:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6357/solar

jkjenn · July 2020

These are really good solutions. If I add a second controller, it will likely be inside next to the factory installed one

NateColo · July 2020

Thanks again, folks. Kudos to all of you guys on the installs.

NateColo · October 2020

Follow-up: I went the easy route and mounted the controller to an aluminum plate, which was then mounted to the inside front of the tub using spacers and locknuts. Also reused that Zamp connector on the side of the tub for the input (100w Renology suitcase). It was very nice not having to worry about the battery this past summer and fall.

BrianZ · October 2020

Sorry to be late for your discussion @NateColo, but I used @elbereth's idea here for an enclosure box inside the tub..
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/102546#Comment_102546
I clip the box to the tub frame when in use, but store it inside the trailer when not in use.

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