dkoldman
Senior Member
RV LIFE Pro
I am wondering if it makes sense to have a solar controller that is portable meaning it would be used temporarily, and could be moved from one battery bank to another?
Context: I have a new Portable Power Station with 200watt MPPT Solar panels on the way (12 volts). The Power Station is to address other needs that may not be RV related, i.e. just having 1,152wh of electrical power in my SUV or any vehicle or simply power where none otherwise exist.
New Project: Given I have the MC4 Connectors on the 200 watt / 10 amp portable panels on order, I am thinking what if I had a solar controller (Lithium & AGM) that I could connect to any battery bank via Alligator clamps? If so, I could keep that panel and controller in the RV, and if I ever wanted to utilize the sun to keep house or chassis battery charged, I could get more value out of my panel investment.
Other need to know mitigation factors:
1. I have a Victron Orion XS 50 amp controller; so I will never need solar while driving
2. I have a Victron Smart Shunt, so this makes me lean toward some Victron Solar Controller with Bluetooth
3. I have single 300ah Lithium battery & FLA Chassis
4. I also have two 125ah AGM batteries that use to be in the RV that is now in storage shed. I am thinking of adding an inverter and using the solar panels to charge it when not be used in RV. Maybe run the power in the shed and cut off from grid completely?
What are the thoughts and any suggestions on sizing for solar controller? I think 200watts / 10amps of solar panels is all I need and that is already on order, but 400 watts / 20amps is for sure the maximum I could ever use.
i.e. would a Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) - 75V, 15 amp, 12/24-Volt do this job or do I need 100V, 20 amp?
Context: I have a new Portable Power Station with 200watt MPPT Solar panels on the way (12 volts). The Power Station is to address other needs that may not be RV related, i.e. just having 1,152wh of electrical power in my SUV or any vehicle or simply power where none otherwise exist.
New Project: Given I have the MC4 Connectors on the 200 watt / 10 amp portable panels on order, I am thinking what if I had a solar controller (Lithium & AGM) that I could connect to any battery bank via Alligator clamps? If so, I could keep that panel and controller in the RV, and if I ever wanted to utilize the sun to keep house or chassis battery charged, I could get more value out of my panel investment.
Other need to know mitigation factors:
1. I have a Victron Orion XS 50 amp controller; so I will never need solar while driving
2. I have a Victron Smart Shunt, so this makes me lean toward some Victron Solar Controller with Bluetooth
3. I have single 300ah Lithium battery & FLA Chassis
4. I also have two 125ah AGM batteries that use to be in the RV that is now in storage shed. I am thinking of adding an inverter and using the solar panels to charge it when not be used in RV. Maybe run the power in the shed and cut off from grid completely?
What are the thoughts and any suggestions on sizing for solar controller? I think 200watts / 10amps of solar panels is all I need and that is already on order, but 400 watts / 20amps is for sure the maximum I could ever use.
i.e. would a Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) - 75V, 15 amp, 12/24-Volt do this job or do I need 100V, 20 amp?
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