About those solar generators

[SethB]

We have the same setup with CTEK DC/DC and Renogy 100w panel. Just to confirm, you *are* bypassing the controller on the Renogy to connect the panel(s) directly to the CTEK solar inputs?

Our use is a little different than @Ericp , on extended trips I charge a dedicated cpap 50ah lipo battery with a shore power charger or with the Renogy panel/controller.

I’ve only charged the CI battery on solar once, bypassing the Renogy controller, panel goes directly to the CTEK 12v charger.

I was trying to connect the Renogy to the 3 prong solar input which was getting to the solar terminal on the CTEK. To measure the voltage I had the panel in the sun at around 30 watts, had someone plug in the 3 prong on the outside then measured the voltage on the solar to ground terminal on the CTEK.

It’s essential to bypass the Renogy controller electronics (if any) for that setup. It’s the raw panel output that should go to the CTEK solar inputs. Otherwise there will be two controller/chargers in line. If that’s occurring it could account for low or no battery charging.

My 100w Renogy is their Solar Suitcase model, with controller. It’s easy to unplug the panels from Renogy’s controller and connect them directly to my CI solar input connector.

On the other hand, if your panel doesn’t have a controller please ignore my prattling. The problem is something else.

Or, if your panel has a permanently connected controller, that panel won’t work with the CTEK.

 

[Ericp]

Per claude, maybe the panel was not putting out enough voltage after the CTEK tried drawing from the panel and thus shut the process down. The Renogy 100w panel does not have a controller. I'll have to retest with good sun out to see if I can recreate it.

No one know who installed the wire to the battery and it is just hardwired to the terminals with a fuse so I might just remove it since it is in the way.

Leading candidate for Anker use.

AC is just plugged into an outlet in the trailer. Run extension cord from AC to the Anker when not on shore power.
Run everything else DC of trailer battery.
When trailer battery runs low take the DC to AC to DC hit and recharge the trailer battery.
Solar panels connected to the Anker if I cannot get the CTEK thing figured out.

Seems to be the easiest way without rewiring anything and gives opportunity to be off grid for awhile. New question would be what kind of draw I should expect with this path. Anker doesn't have any good DC outputs. Only the Cig lighter, 2x 140w ubsc, 1x15w usbc, 1x12w usba.

 

[Ericp]

Just to confirm, the model panel I have is RPP100EF-SE which just has an output for usba/c and the two pigtails that eventually go to the 3 prong plug. Does not look like it has a controller.

 

[Carl U]

On the topic has anyone found a solution / adapter to connect a XT60 plug into the 3 prong round plug?

Searching came up zero

Last week we spent 6 nights with no electricity. Kept the dometic plugged into the Anker with some minimal boost with solar it was down to 20%. I gained maybe 20 ? With the solar but the site was fairly shaded and being gone for the day it was not adjusted. The camper stayed around 70 running the fan and lights.