Guys with solar

@Rujack here is the fuse box.

 

Isn't a ground is a ground is a ground?

Not being a dick. I think this is a good question. And, I'm curious to what folks say.

Personally, knowing the little I know, I wouldn't run a ground back to the cranking battery. But what do I know?

I like the boat vernacular. Cranking Battery. And, House Battery.

 

That’s where all the “grounds” end up...

 

Well this one would be to the secondary battery. I have always lived by a ground is a ground is a ground, but I suppose I see some logic in it not being as efficient maybe.

 

Again, not trying to sound like a dick. But, don't all grounds end up being a ground? It's a serious question.

 

I imagine that the charge controller will send an error if it has an issue with the ground being run "3rd party". Maybe Ill try it that way first and see how effective it is.

 

Helps cut down on parasitic losses. It is also required by most charge controller manufacturers for warranty.

 

I don’t think so. I’m not sure why, my electrical knowledge is very basic. But I think it might be so inefficient to move a current so relatively low through that big of a conductor. Or something. Just guessing really.

 

I think this is what I’m trying to say ^^

 

Well simple enough, Ill just run a cable to the battery. Ive got it sitting in the bed. No big deal. I appreciate all the thoughts.

 

A ground is a ground...
Until it’s not. Corrosion happens. Rust proofing can also have a negative effect. Try chasing a ground loop in your sound system. Old Plymouth’s had a problem with the tail light ground getting back to the battery, current would go through the transmission and arc in the sprague clutch taking out the transmission over time. We need dedicated ground straps to the engine and the body for these very reasons. I would run a positive and negative cable directly to the battery.

 

I have the renogy kit on my mobile ski chalet. It was easy to install. It does work well with my agm battery.

 

Maybe one day I will get a solar set up goin'

 

Any updates on Solar systems out there?

 

To be efficient solar panels need to be at just the right angle in bright sunshine. I don't want to have to park in bright sun so I like portable panels that can be easily moved around. I've got hookups for my tear drop trailer, a portable battery pack and the Tacoma. When we are traveling I want the fridge in the cab with us. When we stop the fridge moves to the trailer (base camp) or under a tree. I can park the trailer and truck in the shade and still charge any one of the three batteries.

 

Any pictures of where you guys are mounting your controller boxes? I've seen a few pictures in the thread, but not too many.

 

So for those with a RedArc BCDC.

it acts as the solar controller. And it says only tie in the + to the RedArc and just ground the solar panel.

Can I ground it anywhere? I’m mounting on the roof so figure I’ll just ground into the roof rack bolts that go into the body.

This is how I have my set up. Hot wire from Aux Battery to Blue Sea Fuse Panel, Ground Wire to the frame.

My fuse panel sits on the stock fuse box and my aux battery is in the passenger spot in the engine bay. I was even lazier than you; I just didn’t want to run a ground wire back across the engine bay lol. So boom right to the frame below the fuse box; I like this spot because you can access it right from the wheel well. My aux battery is grounded in the same spot on the front passenger side.

Mine mounted in the glove box. I have a RedArc. most everything runs out through a hole I drilled in the fire wall. There is already a hole in the firewall with a rubber tube sticking out (AC maybe?). I have my comms coax going through that and it’s too tight to add thick gauge wire. So drilled a new hole (about 3/4”-1”) right next to that and added a rubber grommet.