Solar Charging System

I posted part of this on the end of another topic, but now have photos so I set up a new topic thread.

I just finished putting in a permanent exterior receptacle for my new solar charging system. A 30 watt panel from Instapark via Amazon, and a Morningstar Sunguard 4.5 amp controller also thru Amazon. Used a 4" outdoor box and mounted it on the back of the panel using 3/4"x1/2" alum angle and put a single receptacle in the box. The contoller is mounted to the box side as well. Simple connections - + and - for the panel, + and - for the output to the battery. Made a tripod for the panel using 1x2 PT SYP and a piece of plywood. The box is held on by a 10-24 screw through the plywood into a hole in the box - it basically hangs, and then is clamped to the leg.

Then I mounted a 20 amp receptacle from etrailer.com right next to the 30 amp inlet on the street side, labeled in big letters "Solar charger input only". Used a 14ga red extension cord and replaced the standard end with a 125v20amp receptacle to mate with the exterior outlet. (One blade is vertical, one is horizontal).   

Got all the wiring tested, tested the panel before the outlet install, and then it started to rain.
Today is partly cloudy, but it has been connected up to a battery set (2 x 6V) for 7 hours and has brought them up to over 12 volts from a fairly low starting point. Looks like the system will work.

Panel mounted on tripod - front and back view





Trailer side input -



Interior of electrical chamber - 20A socket has black soft vinyl boot - internal wires are #10 solid and connect to the 12V ground bus (white) and the red to the other connection of the +12V connector (the big fat one) on the fuse box.



I also installed an outside shower - made the connections inside with Shark-bite connectors, cut out the wall with a jig saw and caulked the box /wall joint - a breeze. For privacy, I made a curtain rod holder- two adjustable flag pole holders, some 1/2" PVC pipe and a couple of elbows was all it took. When not used for a shower curtain, one of the holders has a US flag in it.

The other apparatus was used by the original owner to hold his larger saltwater rods and spinning reels - a clever rig, but I'm mostly a fly and ultra light guy so they get used for more mundane things like keeping the power cord off the ground.







Walt

Apply Ohm's law.  Current =Watts/Volts.  Current = 30/12 or 2.5 amps.  In reality my guess is that the voltage is a little higher on a sunny day so current will be a little lower.  I am struggling with that low a power supply charging a deep cycle battery.  Let us know how it works out.

Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar Apply Ohm's law.  Current =Watts/Volts.  Current = 30/12 or 2.5 amps.  In reality my guess is that the voltage is a little higher on a sunny day so current will be a little lower.  I am struggling with that low a power supply charging a deep cycle battery.  Let us know how it works out.

Thanks for the lesson, Doug.
I'll monitor the system and se what I need to do next. I did get a watt meter from RCA-electronics that I will install next. It was part of this operation, but I haven't done it yet. As it goes between the battery and the load, and I want it inside, I have to do some planning for the wiring install.

The lid indeed flops all the way down. I've got some bead chain in the basement somewhere to make a cover retainer. It will then double as a holder for cleaning supplies!

BTW the lock and key set on my shower box is the same number as the locks on the rear pass thrus....

I only have a minute here before I run out the door (to go home), but I understand your nitpickyness about amps vs. amp-hour.  Just trying to be clearer to average Joe.  :-)