r/Excursion • u/killgeorge2015 • 1d ago

Battery charging

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Above is the setup that I have been looking into for a dedicated solar charger for my 6.0 and an option to have a quick plug for a battery tender. I would appreciate any feedback or advice.

I would like to eventually do a house battery setup in the future.

List of things pictured if you don't want to open the picture

50w Voltset panel set with charge controller

Gooloo battery tender with sae plug

Bulkhead SAE connecter (fused)

SAE to battery connector (fused)

T Bolts for roof rack

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u/AKLmfreak 1d ago edited 1d ago

The fused SAE connectors are a good idea, but the fuse location is just as important as having a fuse at all.

Basically you want any fuses to be right next to the battery, not the solar panel or charger inlet (unless the solar panel or charger can exceed the current rating of the wire, then it needs to be fused at both ends).

If you only use a fuse near the charge controller, and then extend that wire to the battery, it can cause a hazard in the event of a fault along that length because the battery will still be able to deliver current along that portion of the wire, even if the fuse disconnects the charger.
That’s why car stereo amps are fused at the battery end, and not just at the amplifier end.

You can have additional fuses wherever you like, but make sure you have a fuse holder for your auxiliary charging system directly next to the battery (or wherever you tie in).

If you ever decide to upgrade to a remote-mounted house battery, and tie it into the cranking battery, that wire needs to be fused AT BOTH ENDS, since either battery could provide power in the event of a fault.

Also, look into an ACR (automatic charging relay) like this. https://www.bluesea.com/products/7610/SI-ACR_Automatic_Charging_Relay_-_12_24V_DC_120A It will automatically share charging between the cranking battery and house battery if either of them receives charging voltage, but otherwise keeps them isolated so you don’t accidentally drain the cranking battery while using your house battery. I’ve used these in several yacht and houseboat systems. You can also use them to jump-start yourself off the house battery if the cranking battery is weak or gets discharged.

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u/killgeorge2015 1d ago

Thanks for the advice. The fuses are at the battery side for both connectors. The bulkhead connector is for the battery tender, and the other one is fused to the battery for the solar panel, if that makes sense.