check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Topargee products Red Earth Festival Park Booker Mackay Festival of Arts
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Solar Power -> attaching a solar panel to a caravan
Post Info TOPIC: attaching a solar panel to a caravan
Gus1949


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 175
Date:
attaching a solar panel to a caravan
Permalink  

Can a portable solar panel be connected to the caravans Anderson plug that is usually plugged into the tow vehicle whenn travelling?



-- Edited by Gus1949 on Tuesday 13th of May 2025 11:35:56 AM

__________________
Peter_n_Margaret


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 389
Date:
Permalink  

Maybe.
Only you can tell how the Anderson plug is wired. We have no idea and can only guess.
Also, it is best if the regulator for the portable panel (or any panel) is close to the batteries.
Cheers,
Peter

__________________

OKA196 DIY, self contained 4WD motorhome, 1160W PV, 326Ah of CALB LiFePO4 batteries, 1.3kW inv, 310L water, 350-450L diesel.
Dick0


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink  

Maybe best to connect a portable solar panel, through a dedicated Anderson plug, wired together to the input of the solar controller in parallel with fixed solar panels if they are so fitted.



__________________

Cheers, Richard (Dick0)

"Home is where the Den is parked, Designer Orchid Special towed by Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited"

"4x250W solar panels, Epever 80A charger and 3x135Ah Voltax Prismatic LiFePO4 Batteries".
bristte


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 101
Date:
Permalink  

I once tried the opposite - connecting the Anderson plug from the tow vehicle to the solar input on my Enerdrive DC2DC in the van (long story). The DC2DC did not like it. It expects a higher voltage on that input and threw an error. My hunch is that what you're proposing would also cause an error for the opposite reason.

__________________
TimTim


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 591
Date:
Permalink  

Gus1949 wrote:

Can a portable solar panel be connected to the caravans Anderson plug that is usually plugged into the tow vehicle whenn travelling?



-- Edited by Gus1949 on Tuesday 13th of May 2025 11:35:56 AM

 It all depends on how it is wired. If it is a direct connection to the battery then yes, but you will need a solar controller between your solar panel and Anderson connector.  Ideally though you want your solar controller close to your battery to get an accurate voltage reading.

If however your Anderson connector is connected to a DC/DC charger then the voltage from the solar panel will be too high and the DC/DC charger will shut down due to over voltage protection or even become damaged.  If you install a solar controller in this case, it will not function as the DC/DC charger will prevent the solar controller from obtaining a battery voltage to enable it to operate.

If you are unable to trace your cables or are unsure then simply test between the two pins on the Anderson connector with a multimeter and you should get a reading similar to your battery if it is a direct connection. 

Remember to attach your solar controller to the battery first and connect you solar panel to the controller last.

 



-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 14th of May 2025 04:27:29 AM

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Solar Power -> attaching a solar panel to a caravan
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook