Solar Reg location?

[eddy]

I am in the process of fitting a solar panel to the roof rack and will run the cable down the A pillar,not sure about risking the plastic although have a set of new clips.The problem I am facing is where to mount the Victron solar regulator?Vehicle is fitted with the Traxide dual battery system but with the Optima battery, has taken up just about all the space in front of the main battery.Where have others mounted their solar regulator?

[Tombie]

Which Victron MPPT are you using?
The Blue Solar units aren’t IP rated for dust or water.

In that case I’d be mounting it in the box in front of the driver, in a sealed Systema type box with cable glands.

[Aussie Jeepster]

I mounted my Victron under the solar panel on the rear roof bar. It won't get much moisture on it under there. I'll do a photo when I get home.

[Tombie]

The bottom of the unit is completely unsealed.
Any moisture will start on the electronics.

Placing it in the drivers side compartment in the engine bay will keep it dryer; and for best performance the MPPT should be as close as possible to the battery not the panel.

[Homestar]

Agree with Tombie - keep it inside the vehicle, close to the battery. The solar panel kicks out around 17 to 20 odd volts unregulated so this is less susceptible to voltage drop than the regulated 13. whatever supply out of the controller.

[drivesafe]

Hi Eddy, as above, for best results, a solar regulator should be mounted as close as practical, to the battery.

But also note, solar panels only have a defined amount of energy and any loses before or after the solar regulator are loses you can not make up.

Any voltage drop in the cabling between the solar panel and the regulator is lost energy.

So a good practice it to use over sized cabling between the solar panel and the solar regulator.

Over sized cabling between the solar reg and the battery is also an advantage.

[LRD414]

What about heat under the bonnet; solar regulators are ok with that?

Scott

[drivesafe]

Hi Scott and the temp in the battery compartment should not be a problem when you concider how hot it gets on the back of a solar panel.

I don’t think I would try mounting one in the exposed engine bay.

[eddy]

Plan A was to minimise cable, have it run down the passenger pillar with the Victron reg in front of the aux battery.Looking at pictures it appeared to be a solid state unit and quite narrow.Both wrong,as Tombie states there is an opening by the terminals exposing the circuit board...could be easily covered using tape/Sikaflex?No sure on how heat would affect it but it does not have heatsinks like my old Solarex and Plasmatronic pwm regs.Was hoping someone had found a space close to the batteries where it could be slotted in,otherwise will run the cable down the drivers A pillar and put the reg in by the ABS..its LEDs will not be visible...but would fit Andersen plugs to allow disconnects/watt master check.All advice much appreciated!

[Tombie]

Run down drivers side, into box, then fit the BT module and monitor via your phone.

It’s how I keep track of Camper and both LRs.