Can a portable solar panel be connected to the caravans Anderson plug that is usually plugged into the tow vehicle whenn travelling?
-- Edited by Gus1949 on Tuesday 13th of May 2025 11:35:56 AM
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:56 PM May 13, 2025
Maybe.
Only you can tell how the Anderson plug is wired. We have no idea and can only guess.
Also, it is best if the regulator for the portable panel (or any panel) is close to the batteries.
Cheers,
Peter
Dick0 said
02:08 PM May 13, 2025
Maybe best to connect a portable solar panel, through a dedicated Anderson plug, wired together to the input of the solar controller in parallel with fixed solar panels if they are so fitted.
bristte said
04:42 PM May 13, 2025
I once tried the opposite - connecting the Anderson plug from the tow vehicle to the solar input on my Enerdrive DC2DC in the van (long story). The DC2DC did not like it. It expects a higher voltage on that input and threw an error. My hunch is that what you're proposing would also cause an error for the opposite reason.
TimTim said
04:14 AM May 14, 2025
Gus1949 wrote:
Can a portable solar panel be connected to the caravans Anderson plug that is usually plugged into the tow vehicle whenn travelling?
-- Edited by Gus1949 on Tuesday 13th of May 2025 11:35:56 AM
It all depends on how it is wired. If it is a direct connection to the battery then yes, but you will need a solar controller between your solar panel and Anderson connector. Ideally though you want your solar controller close to your battery to get an accurate voltage reading.
If however your Anderson connector is connected to a DC/DC charger then the voltage from the solar panel will be too high and the DC/DC charger will shut down due to over voltage protection or even become damaged. If you install a solar controller in this case, it will not function as the DC/DC charger will prevent the solar controller from obtaining a battery voltage to enable it to operate.
If you are unable to trace your cables or are unsure then simply test between the two pins on the Anderson connector with a multimeter and you should get a reading similar to your battery if it is a direct connection.
Remember to attach your solar controller to the battery first and connect you solar panel to the controller last.
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 14th of May 2025 04:27:29 AM
Dick0 said
12:02 PM May 14, 2025
Gus1949 wrote:
Can a portable solar panel be connected to the caravans Anderson plug that is usually plugged into the tow vehicle whenn travelling?
-- Edited by Gus1949 on Tuesday 13th of May 2025 11:35:56 AM
Hi Gus1949,
There are too many if's and but's here.
Can you clarify if you already have a solar system in place and only want to add a portable panel to the system.
If no current solar, do you want to connect a portable panel to the caravan tug power input only? Do you currently have a DC>DC charger connected to the van battery?
I think you will then get specific answers to your query without the guesswork.
Can a portable solar panel be connected to the caravans Anderson plug that is usually plugged into the tow vehicle whenn travelling?
-- Edited by Gus1949 on Tuesday 13th of May 2025 11:35:56 AM
Only you can tell how the Anderson plug is wired. We have no idea and can only guess.
Also, it is best if the regulator for the portable panel (or any panel) is close to the batteries.
Cheers,
Peter
Maybe best to connect a portable solar panel, through a dedicated Anderson plug, wired together to the input of the solar controller in parallel with fixed solar panels if they are so fitted.
It all depends on how it is wired. If it is a direct connection to the battery then yes, but you will need a solar controller between your solar panel and Anderson connector. Ideally though you want your solar controller close to your battery to get an accurate voltage reading.
If however your Anderson connector is connected to a DC/DC charger then the voltage from the solar panel will be too high and the DC/DC charger will shut down due to over voltage protection or even become damaged. If you install a solar controller in this case, it will not function as the DC/DC charger will prevent the solar controller from obtaining a battery voltage to enable it to operate.
If you are unable to trace your cables or are unsure then simply test between the two pins on the Anderson connector with a multimeter and you should get a reading similar to your battery if it is a direct connection.
Remember to attach your solar controller to the battery first and connect you solar panel to the controller last.
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 14th of May 2025 04:27:29 AM
Hi Gus1949,
There are too many if's and but's here.
Can you clarify if you already have a solar system in place and only want to add a portable panel to the system.
If no current solar, do you want to connect a portable panel to the caravan tug power input only? Do you currently have a DC>DC charger connected to the van battery?
I think you will then get specific answers to your query without the guesswork.