Seeking Feedback on Solar Idea

[JohnMD]

Hi all,

I am looking for feedback from those with more experience and expertise. I currently have a 100W solar suitcase that has worked fairly well at campsites keeping our 100ah AGM battery charged. However, I’ve had to run the generator from time to time to help top it off. In addition to reducing the need for the generator, I would like to run the Norcold 300.3 refrigerator on battery while traveling. After reading through some posts, rather than exploring the DC-DC charger option, this is what I am thinking and would like your feedback on:

1. Mount two 175 Watt Renogy rigid panels on back shell using 3M VHB tape.

2. Connect in series?

3. Run wires down lift arm and to the tongue where the 100 ah AGM battery is located.

4. Add a second battery box to house a controller: Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100V 30 amp (or 50 amp to allow future expansion?)

5. I estimate about 25-30 feet of cable needed. I’ve read different things about wire gauge, but am not sure how thick it should be. 10 AWG or 12 AWG? (Renogy lists the output wires as 2.3 feet 13 AWG – can or should those be switched for something bigger?) I've read that longer, smaller wires result in voltage drop. I found this calculator: https://unboundsolar.com/solar-information/voltage-drop that seems to indicate minimal drop in this potential scenario. Are there safety/overheating concerns?


Any suggestions or feedback you have are greatly appreciated.