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2024 320 T@B Boondocker

Ranger12Ranger12 Member Posts: 1
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Let’s start off with I know nothing about solar, I’m a user. I have moved my 320 undercover during storage but still need to keep the battery charge other the having the unit plugged into a 30amp plug. I have purchased a Renolgy 100w panel and cables, I’m told I need controller which I want to mount on the panel. Of course it will plug into the Nautilus water/shower area. Any suggestions on the correct controller. Would the Viltron Energy 100/30 be what I need.
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Comments

  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,322
    Welcome to the Forums!
    What year is your 320?  And, what battery do you have?
    As far as a battery in storage goes: a fully charged battery, with the battery switch off, will hold a charge for months.  All batteries have what is called "self discharge", and depending on the battery, and the age of the battery, etc.....that self discharge can be anywhere from 3-5 percent of capacity per month.
    So, all you really need to do: is charge the battery and turn the battery switch off.  If you have the Victron app up and running, you can just monitor the battery occasionally to see how the charge is holding up.

    For your solar controller and panels: generally, each 100 watts of solar capacity can produce "about" 8 amps of power, under lab conditions, etc.  In general, all you would need for a 100 watt panel would be a 10 amp controller.  (The Amps would be the second number on the controller specs: something like a 15/10 controller.)
    A 100/30 controller would be good for a 300 watt solar setup, since a 300 watt panel could produce 24 amps.  
    So, there is nothing wrong with having a 100/30 Victron controller, since it will be more than adequate for your 100 watt panel, and if you ever want to upgrade the panels you would have space to increase your wattage.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • JamesKJamesK Member Posts: 16
    Paul's comments look spot on to me.  The only things I'd add:

    If you buy a controller you probably want Bluetooth so you can track its performance.  The Bluetooth 100/30 is around $130'ish while the 75/15 is about half that price.  That would allow 75 volts from the panel (plenty) and a max of 15 amps to the battery which would support up to two 100 watt panels.

    Any particular reason you didn't buy a solar suitcase? That is the easiest.  That has the controller built in and all you have to do is connect the clamps to your battery.

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