Solitude Solar and Battery Installation

[acoleman43]

Other than maybe a few choice adjectives directed at them when trying to bend a tight corner. Between one end of the batteries and the disconnect sw's looks kinda tight for 4/0. Although the batteries may just be placed there for now?

Between disconnect and Power in is even worse in my opinion. They need to invent 90 degree cable

[Cate&Rob]

Minimum bend radius might be a good question for WindyNation . . . I can’t find any data on their website.

Rob

[TribForce]

Yoda May I be so bold to suggest a MRBF fuse at the location indicated?

[Jlawles2]

You might invest in 90° lugs.



and


I can see where these types of things would help make life simpler in your endeavor.

[Yoda]

Yoda May I be so bold to suggest a MRBF fuse at the location indicated?

Interesting thought. That is the power out to the trailer power bar where the old battery connected. It goes through a disconnect switch. Not sure the cover will clear, but that is a good suggestion.
Thanks

[TribForce]

Yoda With the intended holder they stick out the side. I learned about it from Nate at Explorist Life

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Between disconnect and Power in is even worse in my opinion. They need to invent 90 degree cable

I was in the electrical trade for 33 years...and bend radius was always difficult to deal with once wire size was getting over #2. 500 and 750 mcm was just plain ignorant!

[TucsonJim]

Regarding the bend radius. What I failed to mention is that the batteries are about 2" from the rear wall. This allows the wire to loop without undue strain. My primary concern is the connection between the switch and the Lynx Power In. If I can solve that with moving switches, etc, then the rest should be pretty straightforward.

Jim

[TucsonJim]

Well, it took a full day, and a little out of the box thinking, but I got-r-done. 4/0 is tough to work with. I built a raised panel for the switches, and ran the grounds behind it. I finished up at dark tonight and everything tested good.

Tomorrow, I wire the Multiplus.

[Yoda]

Well, it took a full day, and a little out of the box thinking, but I got-r-done. 4/0 is tough to work with. I built a raised panel for the switches, and ran the grounds behind it. I finished up at dark tonight and everything tested good.

Tomorrow, I wire the Multiplus.

I love your idea of spacing the switches off and running the ground behind. Mind sharing how you did that? Genius thinking if I might say so.

Also the wire chase - excellent.. I could only wish to have 1/1000 your talent in wiring .

Great job

Keith

[TucsonJim]

Thanks Keith Yoda

I used two pieces of 3/8" exterior plywood which made it 3/4". Then, I ripped a 2x4 to final dimensions of 1.5" x 2". I drilled and screwed it together. Then primed the wood and painted it black. Once the paint dried, I removed the screws one at a time and used 4" screws to secure it to the backer board. You can see the part in the photo above. The switches are mounted to it.

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

x2 on Yoda Keith’s comments . . . Running the grounds behind the switches and using the wire routing chases is very clever. Many years ago I installed a switch for every battery in a large marine lead/acid battery bank. You will not regret this extra installation work.

Looking Good !!

Rob

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Nice! Panduit wire duct is a nice touch as well. Makes everything nice'n'neat after the covers are on.
Did you have to connect the four red wires to the lynx power in then move all four switches up together?

[TucsonJim]

Nice! Panduit wire duct is a nice touch as well. Makes everything nice'n'neat after the covers are on.
Did you have to connect the four red wires to the lynx power in then move all four switches up together?

Good morning Scott. I did each switch one at a time. I mounted it to the board with the wire to the power in about 1 inch longer than needed. Then I placed a lug on the power in and marked where to cut the wire. It was a long and tedious process which took many hours, but it came out nicely.

Jim

[acoleman43]

Well, it took a full day, and a little out of the box thinking, but I got-r-done. 4/0 is tough to work with. I built a raised panel for the switches, and ran the grounds behind it. I finished up at dark tonight and everything tested good.

Tomorrow, I wire the Multiplus.

Turned out very nice! Great idea with your wiring.