Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Adding Solar Plug to 2011 177

Adding Solar Plug to 2011 177

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13498
Printed Date: 23 Jun 2025 at 2:06am
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Topic: Adding Solar Plug to 2011 177

Posted By: Grant177
Subject: Adding Solar Plug to 2011 177
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 10:51pm

Hey all,

Built myself a solar suitcase (2 x 100w) and going to add a flush mount SAE connector to the outside of the 177 to ease connecting it. I have a single 105Ah, deep cycle, FLA on the 177. Is there an easy location to connect the solar controller to the leads from the battery inside the trailer? I'm assuming under the seats, but being new to the R-Pod, have not been able to delve too deeply yet. I have the solar panels (fused) connected to the solar controller, then the controller output (fused) which I am hoping I can easily connect inside the RV.

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Grant
2011 R-Pod 177

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2020 at 5:45am

Consider connecting the solar charge controller at the battery itself. Then you don't have to make any penetrations into the trailer, and you can mount the SAE connector to the battery box.

Also, the fuse for the controller should go at the battery end of that cable, not the controller end. Fuses are there to protect against damage from short circuits. The source of current that could cause damage if the cable gets shorted is the battery, not the controller or solar modules. Solar modules are self limited in current output, if you short them out nothing happens. If you short out the battery you get a meltdown. For the same reason, you don't need a fuse on the solar module side of the controller.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2020 at 6:32am

Here's how I did it:

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12747&PID=122794&title=battery-tray#122794 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12747&PID=122794&title=battery-tray#122794

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2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC