Victron MPPT solar controller installation

[Mike Lewis]

This is a basic wiring question, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right before I proceed. I have acquired a Victron solar controller. It has four terminals on the bottom; each is a socket with a set screw for tightening the wire that is inserted. Two terminals are for the battery connection and two are for power input from the solar panels.

I will have two pairs of wires from the panels to go into the controller: one pair from the rooftop panels and one pair from an SAE connector for a portable panel that I will install on the back of the trailer (when I work up the nerve). Can I insert, for example, the two positive wires from the solar panels and SAE connector into the "+" terminal and tighten them down with the set screw, or should I splice those two wires together outside of the controller then insert one wire into the controller's terminal? And if I need to splice the wires together, what is the best way to do it? Thanks.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

This is a basic wiring question, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right before I proceed. I have acquired a Victron solar controller. It has four terminals on the bottom; each is a socket with a set screw for tightening the wire that is inserted. Two terminals are for the battery connection and two are for power input from the solar panels.

I will have two pairs of wires from the panels to go into the controller: one pair from the rooftop panels and one pair from an SAE connector for a portable panel that I will install on the back of the trailer (when I work up the nerve). Can I insert, for example, the two positive wires from the solar panels and SAE connector into the "+" terminal and tighten them down with the set screw, or should I splice those two wires together outside of the controller then insert one wire into the controller's terminal? And if I need to splice the wires together, what is the best way to do it? Thanks.

If both wires fit, put both under the Victron clamp. Be sure to check the polarity of the SAE connector since the color varies by manufacturer.

If they both don't fit, splice the two together and run an inch or two of the larger wire to the controller. I had to do this & made a soldered splice with heat shrink insulation.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

This is a basic wiring question, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right before I proceed. I have acquired a Victron solar controller. It has four terminals on the bottom; each is a socket with a set screw for tightening the wire that is inserted. Two terminals are for the battery connection and two are for power input from the solar panels.

I will have two pairs of wires from the panels to go into the controller: one pair from the rooftop panels and one pair from an SAE connector for a portable panel that I will install on the back of the trailer (when I work up the nerve). Can I insert, for example, the two positive wires from the solar panels and SAE connector into the "+" terminal and tighten them down with the set screw, or should I splice those two wires together outside of the controller then insert one wire into the controller's terminal? And if I need to splice the wires together, what is the best way to do it? Thanks.

I have two pair 8 gauge solar panel wires on the input terminals and one pair 6 gauge wires on the output terminals.

[Mike Lewis]

Thanks.

[Mike Lewis]

Okay, I have another question, of course : There is a ground screw on the side of this thing. The instructions are unclear on how to ground the controller in an RV application, i.e. when you can't stick a ground rod into the ground. So how do you ground the controller? Thanks.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Okay, I have another question, of course : There is a ground screw on the side of this thing. The instructions are unclear on how to ground the controller in an RV application, i.e. when you can't stick a ground rod into the ground. So how do you ground the controller? Thanks.

I tied mine to the same wire that connects the inverter to the frame.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I tied mine to the same wire that connects the inverter to the frame.

I connected mine to the converter negative terminal bar. It is also connected to the trailer frame.