Solar Wiring from Combiner Box to Charge Controller

[@DuetJustusFam]

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[@davidpetrusewicz7729]

Saving up for Rv may get in another year or 2 just learning about Rv doing my homework learning about trick and tips. Now thanks

[@Kitchguy]

Wow, I’ve been reading about solar set ups for my own trailer and it’s so overwhelming. Great job

[@DuetJustusFam]

Thanks! Glad the videos help! 😊

[@darrellwampler6473]

I will be definitely be stealing your combiner box idea. That is slick!

[@DuetJustusFam]

😊 👍🏼

[@johnlee8985]

Great, very informative video. Ive seen so many you tube videos where people talk about things in their lives which are completely un related to the video topic. Thanks for the great video

[@kellyclover5953]

Many people are buying inverters to convert AC to DC. I have chosen to purchase as many DC appliances as possible and to not use AC at all in the event of long-term grid failure. The advantage to doing this is that a much smaller number of big batteries and solar panels is needed. There is also less risk of a big catastrophe when something goes terribly wrong. In place of a stove you can use Roadpro electric frying pans and ovens. Several companies sell DC-powered refrigerators and freezers. You can buy battery-powered lamps thru Walmart. Some of these AAA batteries.

[@bestillandknowthatuaregod]

Do you need 3 To 1 Y Type MC4 Branch Solar if using a combiner box? THANKS

[@klouism1]

Thanks, really good ideas.

[@devinreed2003]

Awesome ! What size car fuses do you have off each solar panel going into j box? Thanks great info!

[@DuetJustusFam]

I personally have a 20amp fuse on each positive line for worst case scenario situations (the max amps each on my lines can handle safely) but make sure to fuse your lines to match your system 👍🏼

[@DIYSolarandWind]

I'm new to your channel. I will be looking to homestead soon.

[@lightning4871]

Good job as usual, but you are pretty brave.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Thanks!

[@gladuwf]

Could the tubing you ran the wires through on the roof also be referred to as conduit?

[@DuetJustusFam]

lol Yes. That is exactly what it is (3/4" plastic conduit). I couldn't think of that at the time of filming 😂

[@BreakingFreeRV]

If I have 2 24v 305w solar panels and will be running them in parralel going about 15' to charge controller what gauge wire should I use from the panels to the controller? I have a Victron BlueSolar 12V or 24V MPPT 100/50 Charge Controller - 50 Amps / 100 Volts . What size fuse would I need? Each panel has "Current at max power (Imp): 9.33 Amps DC".

[@Aman-Engineering-Academy]

Good job. I have a question for the selection of dc cables. Mostly we select the flexible cables in dc applications, but here I experienced that you use standard cables from combiner to solar charge controller instead of flexible cables. So can you explain that Is it any differences to install the standard cable or the flexible cables specially dc systems. I will wait your positive response.

[@happyhippr]

what a clever channel name

[@toddramsay977]

Can I have the charge controller go to a bus connected to the batteries and also have a converter connected to the same bus to charge the batteries with a gen and the solar panels at the same time or would the amps from the gen hurt the controller so I must have a switch to select which input I use?

[@lll.l-k6q]

That's a roofing vent for venting bathroom smells and/or moisture for wet areas of a home. Very common in housing applications.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing the knowledge! 😊

[@uweschroeder]

Just wanted to say that.It's where you connect the bathroom vent on the roof. Often bathroom vents are just venting into the attic or through the ventilation holes in the side under the gutters. Those little vent caps can be installed on the roof and they have a flap that opens with positive pressure from the inside (so no insects get in). Of course you can misuse them for weatherproofing although I think there might be more elegant solutions.

[@FatElmoCanoo]

Clothes dryer vent.

[@jackturtle131]

G'day mate what size fuses are you using in your combiner box and how big is the fuse just before the solar regulator

[@jackturtle131]

Found it in your other video sorry mate

[@none-ya-dam821]

That vent you ran the cable down on the roof. Maybe you could get a can of spray foam and fill it so in bad weather it won't leak and keep small bugs from getting in. If you do that , spray a little at first because it expands alot. Just a tip.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Great ideas! We've actually had it installed for 2+ years and its held up through lots of crazy weather 😊 👍🏼

[@pocketchange1951]

👍👌🇨🇦❤, wire gauge = voltage loss, well done, I use Morning Star as well, gr8 controllers

[@loganhailey6723]

Hey there thanks for all the great videos! Just a little something about combiner boxes and entry points. AM Solar designed a custom combiner box just for those purposes. It is also super affordable and very easy to install. They also have DIY installation videos on their website. I was also wondering about your solar array grounding. It looks like you have a green wire that is just attached to the frame of the solar attaching to the chassis. Im curious how that works since there is no electricity flowing through the frame? this might sound like a dumb question since I don't know much abuout grounding. Its my knowledge that grounding the shunt is all that you need to do?

[@2AZSUN]

Hey Michael. I'm with the others, you need to do something to plug that vent opening. With the vent facing forward, you not only are going to suck in any rain, but also wind! It looks like it's under the panels, but it will still suck in all the air, even if the water stays out. Great Stuff is probably a good plan, but you 'll also need to coat it with something because I don't think it will hold up to the elements over the long haul either. Maybe some great stuff and then cover any that's exposed with a coat of lapseal. You could even use the rodent Great Stuff to deter any little creatures that might decide it's a great spot to pay you and Jenny a visit.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Great ideas. We actually have the vent facing the back of the RV and it has been installed for well over two years with no problems... Thanks for sharing all of this info!

[@LarryRichelli]

I was hoping to see how you connected you 4g wire into you charge controller. I didn't think that wire would fit in the controller

[@ceegee3664]

Me too

[@stevenkady6873]

Me too

[@mickeysherman3404]

How much amp fuse did you place between the panels and the charge controller?

[@pocketchange1951]

You need to figure what you amperage of each of your solar panels, so if you are wiring your panels in parallel, then your amperage is higher than if you wired them in series, before you connect to a charhge controller, use a volt meter and switch to 12v merage and check out your system, because of voltge loss in lengths of wire run, from the combiner box to the charge controller, I ran a 4 gauge wire of + & - down to the charge controller, the gauge you use will be determined by whether you system is in parallel or series and the number of total watts of your solar system, parallel the voltage stays the same, but the amperge increases, in series the voltage increases and the amperage remaims low, so basically for parallel = large wiring, and series, = the smae or smaller

[@HDRider1601]

What size fuse dd you use on that positive line?

[@LarryRichelli]

I have the same question. I have the same amount of panels that he has so it would really help to find that inline fuse he used!

[@msweetums7]

You may want to change that vent to a waterproof weatherhead. Or i guess you could seal the opening with electrical putty to keep moisture out.

[@kershawjoseph3496]

What’s the maximum amount of solar panels you could have in one string ?

[@MrJFoster1984]

Why didn't you bring the cables into the wall cabinets/cupboards so they were hidden from the roof?

[@georgemoomaw9437]

I was unable to see or make any comments on your combiner box video, so I'll ask here. Why did you choose to place fuses in that box ON THE ROOF? Won't this make troubleshooting and changing fuses (especially in the dark or inclement weather) a lot more inconvenient?

[@HDRider1601]

I'm afraid that brown entry point cap is going to allow water in to the RV.

[@none-ya-dam821]

Darrell Allen spray foam the inside of it.

[@steverivera7270]

what size wire did you use?

[@WokeDADDYdinguS]

Steve rivera he is using 10g from the panels to the combiner box and 4g from the combiner box to his charge controller

[@steverivera7270]

thanks i am running the same size,

[@theodorehyatt1782]

Hey you only have positive to CC fuse I keep seeing that both positive and negative must go on two pole breaker rated just above CC so you have 60A CC you need 63A breaker it may be for residential applications only just saying

[@robertlovesdogs4824]

Hi 👍✌

[@angkholdiy4004]

its very educational video, but suggest that to shorten your review cause it cost half of the time.

[@edilbertoduarte9221]

You never taught us wiring ground

[@robertschilling3308]

Ummm....next time...get your electrical supplies from the electrical department. Using plumbing fittings is not cool or code. Besides...using proper equipment will make your job a lot easier.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Hey Robert. Thanks for the suggestions 😊 I definitely feel you... but realize this was almost 3 years ago when I was working with a limited knowledge base and budget. I’m just sharing what I did that worked for me on my first install. I would definitely change some things about my current setup if I were to install it again present day but this has worked flawlessly for me so far. Who knows, I may do some videos on changes I will make to my current setup or I may just leave it be and do a more “proper” install on our next rig. I appreciate the feedback! 😎 Happy New Year!