Tweaking a 140w folding panel system

[dunnymel]

Hi all
After much investigating I finally have a folding 140W panel system with MPPT controller and 5m cable with alligator clamps from ebay.

My deep cycle battery is mounted externally on the front of the camper trailer in a plastic battery box, with 4 x 12v cigarette lighter sockets throughout the trailer.

To tweak the system I want to;
1) Have a longer cable to enable more flexibility to move the panel out from under shade. 10m should do it.
2) Mount the controller close to the battery.
3) Potentially upgrade the controller to one with a digital readout to enable monitoring of performance.

I believe that cable size is a consideration to minimise voltage drop. What type and size cable do I need? (or does this now not matter if controller is close to battery?)
How best to rig the controller up near the battery so I still have a convenient plug and go system when we are making camp?
Can I monitor panel performance with a multimeter?

Thanks folks.

Cheers
Andrew

[THE BOOGER]

Change the alligator clips to anderson plugs and get or make an extention cable

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HEAVY-DUT...item43b64c5570


Adaptors & Extension Leads

I have a 80 watt folding panel with a 5m lead and a 5m extention no prblems finding a sunny place

[bee utey]

something like this:



DC-DC 20A Dual-display Digital LCD Power Current Voltage AMP Meter VA Meter | eBay

wired in permanently for battery charge monitoring.

[dunnymel]

Thanks bee utey. Looks like just what I need.

This is a worry though...
"Note: There will be no instruction manual supplied, please make sure you're professional enough to operate it before bidding, thank you."

As someone who works with animals all day I don't think I'd pass muster!
Off to a 12v shop I think.

[bee utey]

This one looks better:



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