Suitcase Solar to 7 pin Connector

Comments

• Horigan Member Posts: 745

  July 8

  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.

  Rich

  2019 T@b 400
  2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6

  Bellingham WA

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• AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,524

  July 8

  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. 

  Stockton, New Jersey
  2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
  (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)

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• elbolillo Member Posts: 510

  July 8

  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.

  _____________________________________________________
  Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (29,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
  2025 - 1 Trip - 25 nights - 2 National Parks

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• bjn2 Member Posts: 114

  July 9

  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

  Utah-based
  2023 T@B 320 S Boondock

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• Ikanizer Member Posts: 6

  July 9

  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?

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• Horigan Member Posts: 745

  July 10

  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.

  Rich

  2019 T@b 400
  2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6

  Bellingham WA

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• AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,524

  July 10

  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?

  Stockton, New Jersey
  2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
  (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)

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• Horigan Member Posts: 745

  July 11

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

  Rich

  2019 T@b 400
  2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6

  Bellingham WA

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