Solar question

[AZfam]

Hello. We purchased a previously owned 2020 Coachmen Freedom express 231 RBDS last Summer. It has a 100 watt solar panel installed on the roof with a Samlex solar 20A charge controller inside. There is a port for an external solar panel on the outside as well. I have a Renogy 100 Watt suitcase solar panel that we used on the old trailer we had when we were boondocking that hooked up to the batteries via alligator clips. My question is, should I bypass the charge controller on the Renogy panel and plug directly into the port on the outside and utilize the Samlex charger onboard? Thanks for any and all responses.

[mmartin_tdc]

First thing I would check, is the side port wired to that controller, or directly to the battery? I have heard that the side port is frequently wired direct to battery, thus you would want your controller on the suitcase to be in play still.

[Captain Insaino]

Hi,
If your battery is on the tongue, I think hooking the suitcase up separately directly to the battery with it's own controller may help you swing the panels around to face the sun easier. No harm in 2 separate systems in parallel. Plus you'll get the most charging that way if the panels are mismatched spec wise.

[W5CRE]

Originally Posted by AZfam

Hello. We purchased a previously owned 2020 Coachmen Freedom express 231 RBDS last Summer. It has a 100 watt solar panel installed on the roof with a Samlex solar 20A charge controller inside. There is a port for an external solar panel on the outside as well. I have a Renogy 100 Watt suitcase solar panel that we used on the old trailer we had when we were boondocking that hooked up to the batteries via alligator clips. My question is, should I bypass the charge controller on the Renogy panel and plug directly into the port on the outside and utilize the Samlex charger onboard? Thanks for any and all responses.

I'm not aware of any travel trailers that wire the side solar input any way except straight to the battery. You would want to use your solar panel charge controller whether connecting to the side port or direct to the batteries. Note that you must check the polarity of the side connection as it is most likely reverse to your solar panel cables. You can change this wiring or purchase a cheap polarity reverse adapter from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HQN3K7K...lig_pi_dp&th=1

[Captain Insaino]

Originally Posted by W5CRE

I'm not aware of any travel trailers that wire the side solar input any way except straight to the battery. [/url]

Well, I just learned something, thanks!