7 pin connector for solar suitcase

[sunnyone]

I’d like to get 100 watt solar panel for our modest electric needs, and I'm leaning towards the Renogy Eclipse Solar Suitcase with 20 Amp Voyager Charge Controller. What I especially like about this setup is the waterproof controller; what I dislike is the alligator clips. Go Power sells a 7 pin connector for their solar suitcase. But their controller is not waterproof. (Plus the kit is more expensive.) The Go Power 7 pin connector has an Anderson style connection to the solar panel.
Anyone have experience adapting the 7 pin/ Anderson connector to the Renogy solar suitcase? A 7 pin to mc4 adapter perhaps? I have no electrical experience, so looking for something plug-and-play.
Thanks in advance for any help.

[Dave Fish]

Two suggestios:
1) Clip of the alegator clips and wire the positive/negative to a 7-pin connector that you can't on Amazon or elsewhere.
2) My preference would be to clip off the clips and add a Anderson PowerPoint connector. Then but a Anderson cable off Amazon the has the battery lugs on the other end.

There are other common connectors that would accomplish the same. I mentioned the Anderson because you did and that's what I use for my ham radios. A friend has built several cables for me for the price of the connectors. It does require a special crimper.

[Motoboss]

Why would you want a 7 pin connector? You would not want to connect a solar panel to a tow vehicle and would not want to connect it to the trailer battery via the 7 pin, too much voltage loss trying to charge through the converter.
The clips are made to connect directly to a battery, positive and negative so the panel can charge the battery directly through the supplied controller. All you need is a connection to the battery from the solar panel.

If you do not want to use the supplied alligator clips then replace them with a Anderson style and a fused Anderson connector on the battery.

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That way it’s a simple plug and play process.
MC4 connectors are not meant to be connected/disconnected continuously as they are waterproof connections meant to be connected and left alone and require a tool to disconnect.

Another option, one I used, is to get a SAE/MC4 connector (10 foot) at the panel end and a SAE fused pigtail at the battery. This way is a simple connection from the panel to the battery. Further yet you could add a SAE port at the battery door, wired directly to the battery and plug the SAE panel end directly in to the port, a more permanent solution.

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The Renogy system is a great set up and the all inclusive package works well and is near foolproof.
There are many, easy solutions available.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Motoboss

Why would you want a 7 pin connector? You can not hook a solar panel to a tow vehicle and would not want to connect it to the trailer batter via the 7 pin, too much voltage loss.
The clips are made to connect directly to a battery, positive and negative so the panel can charge the battery through the supplied controller.

If you do not want to use the supplied alligator clips then replace them with a Anderson style and a fused Anderson connector on the battery. That way it’s a simple plug and play process.
MC4 connectors are not meant to be connected/disconnected continuously as they are waterproof connections meant to be connected and left alone.

Another option, one I used, is to get a SAE/MC4 connector at the panel end and a SAE fused pigtail at the battery. This way is a simple connection from the panel to the battery. Further yet you could add a SAE port at the battery door, wired directly to the battery and plug the SAE panel end directly in to the port.

There are many, easy solutions available.

I believe the battery on a Scamp 13 is on the front yoke. The wire run is short enough that you are not going to see much, if anything in the way of voltage drop with a 100 watt solar panel.

[Motoboss]

Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye

I believe the battery on a Scamp 13 is on the front yoke. The wire run is short enough that you are not going to see much, if anything in the way of voltage drop with a 100 watt solar panel.

Ah ha! Not familiar but makes sense.