12v Wiring for Canopy setup

[helvetica]

Hey, first time posting, just looking for some advice. Ive just ordered a Alloy canopy for my dual cab and I want to put a solar panel on it and do some wiring so its better set up for going bush. Ive drawn a little wiring diagram of what I'm thinking, I'm guessing ill probably need some more fuses in to protect the system. Ive already got dual batteries and a cable running to the tray to run a fridge so just looking to expand. Open to suggestions at this stage. Cheers

[Spitfia]

Do some calculations to see what your maximum Amp usage is then get cable to suit so as not to overload the cable you already have for the fridge I believe Tycab have a something on their website to calculate the voltage drop over a length of cable

[helvetica]

The cable I've got currently should be fine, if i remember its a twin 8mm, possible voltage drop of less than 1%. Ill be running a fridge average 3.5amps, couple of LEDs and maybe battery chargers for tools etc, so I figured 20amp would be enough.

[flip9]

Is this solar setup separate from your dual battery system?

It looks good just get a Baintech fuse block as your 12v bus and also fuse the solar panel.

If your after a good MPPT solar reg, have a look at the Epever Tracer 2210A. Its true MPPT and has programmable parameters for charging and load out.

[helvetica]

Thats the exact regulator i was looking at, read enough reviews, watched guys pull them apart they seem pretty good, so this just further confirms that. As for the batteries I've got a VSR between the start battery and AUX battery then ill have the wire from the regulator run to the aux through a fuse.

[flip9]

I've got the Tracer on my fold out panel and it works well. My only concern is its working temperature rating of 45c max, it might get too hot in the canopy.

Also rather than just a solar regulator, have you considered the CTEK D250's? Its better at charging than a VSR, plus its an MPPT regulator.

Either way would be interested to see your setup. I'm planning to do mine later this year (hopefully)

[helvetica]

Interesting what you say about the Tracer operating temperature, i saw some say 45 and some say 70, but i checked out the CTEK, thats only rated to 50, Redarc don't have any temp ratings. Seems ridiculous that something designed to be in the sun is only rated to 45 degrees.

[flip9]

It says 45c on their website although the tracer might function up to 70c but at a throttled output. It does have an internal temp sensor (viewable using the PC program), plus an optional temp sensor for the battery.

I know the Redarc drops the output when it gets hot, thats why you now see people mount it near the rad.

The canopy shouldn't get as hot as the engine bay and the Tracer backplate is a massive heatsink so it should work.

[helvetica]

Yeh I was thinking about it over the weekend and most of the time when I'm using the panel I can have the canopy open anyway. I'll post some photos of the setup when I've done it and let you know how it goes.