All good advice for the first time solar user.? My only concern: I do not recommend the use of self-contained ¡°suitcase¡± solar arrays IF they mount the charge controller on the array instead of next to the battery.? Reasoning is simple: the controller adjusts the voltage/current output from the array to suit the needs of the battery.? Typically the array outputs up to 20 volts, far too much for a 12 volt battery.? So the controller adjusts the voltage down.? Then there is substantial line loss over the wiring from array to battery, and the connector mounted to the camper sidewall.? So after all this loss, the battery may see only 11-12 volts, not enough for a full charge.
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When the controller is mounted near the battery, then even after line and connector loss, it will see around 18 volts, which is plenty for it to adjust to the 13-14 volts needed by the battery.? Also, being closely coupled with the battery, there is little/no line loss to corrupt its sensitivity to the battery¡¯s state of charge.
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My advice is to always mount the controller near the battery.
