Use Trolling Motor Battery Box for Easy Solar Panel Connection

[GpaNed]

I just purchased a Trolling Motor Battery Box to simplify connecting my Renogy Solar Panel to my Scamp. This type of box has easily accessible battery connections. The one I bought has the external connections covered with plastic so should be very safe. I have been removing the battery box lid and connecting the battery clips to the posts. Removing the existing strap and lid was clumsy and then having to reinstall when it was time to leave. I also had to find a safe place for the lid and strap.


I’m sure others have been using a Trolling Motor Battery Box but I just found this and it seems like a perfect solution.


Here’s the one I got. It’s on sale for less than $60.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jim Bennett]

I have one I use for my trolling motor. I attach my portable solar right to the trailer batteries. Do you do this to get additional battery storage?

[GpaNed]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have one I use for my trolling motor. I attach my portable solar right to the trailer batteries. Do you do this to get additional battery storage?

No, I did this to simplify connecting the solar panel to my battery. This will eliminate the steps of removing the existing battery cover top, storing it, and putting it back on when I move. I can just clip the solar panel clamps to the studs on the outside of the box.


I was not aware of these battery boxes. I searched this site with little success so thought I would make a thread about it.

[Jim Bennett]

What I am wondering is how this services your trailer. I plug the portable solar lead into the connector on the trailer and away it goes charging the trailer batteries. Being used to doing it this way has narrowed my sights a bit. [emoji16]

[PatrickTXFL]

I purchased an SAE port for a regular battery box lid. You can also just wire a SAE pigtail and get SAE to MC 4 cable and hook the up so its no thought to pos - neg.
Just a thought for anyone reading.

The fancy box sure looks good.

[sunnyone]

Originally Posted by GpaNed

I just purchased a Trolling Motor Battery Box to simplify connecting my Renogy Solar Panel to my Scamp. This type of box has easily accessible battery connections. The one I bought has the external connections covered with plastic so should be very safe. I have been removing the battery box lid and connecting the battery clips to the posts. Removing the existing strap and lid was clumsy and then having to reinstall when it was time to leave. I also had to find a safe place for the lid and strap.

I have been looking into getting a solar panel for our Scamp 13, and don’t want to have to open up the battery box to charge the battery. This looks like a simple option for a trailer like ours with no charging port on it. Thanks for sharing.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by sunnyone

I have been looking into getting a solar panel for our Scamp 13, and don’t want to have to open up the battery box to charge the battery. This looks like a simple option for a trailer like ours with no charging port on it. Thanks for sharing.

If a solar port is required, it is a real easy add on.

[sunnyone]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If a solar port is required, it is a real easy add on.

It would not be easy for me, or anyway, not as easy as switching to the trolling motor battery box.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I prefer Andersen PowerPole connectors for my DC connections, including solar.

For my Casita, which had the battery in a 'cave' accessed via an outside hatch, I made this "pigtail", with ring terminals that connect directly to the battery, and a PP30 connector ...



the PP30 nicely squeezes between the vanes on the air vent on said battery cave door, so I can plug my solar panel directly into it (yes, said solar panel also has a PP30 on its 20 or 30 foot cable).

a few other adapters I made for the solar panel, include a PP30 to SAE and PP30 to battery clip so I can use the solar panel for other things, too.

[Bill Robison]

John --

Thanks for your input re solar jumpers! Just curious - looks like you used a #12 insulated Brake cable? If not please inform us.

[John in Santa Cruz]

That is 12 AWG wire, the white sheathed stuff is marine 12/2, and while I don't have a picture of it, I replaced the wire from the solar panel mounted controller to the batteries with 10/2 (using a PP45, which is compatible with pp30 and even pp15 connectors, only difference is the wire gauge).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MI5EOGG 12/2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087LSDSZ7 10/2

[Bill Robison]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

That is 12 AWG wire, the white sheathed stuff is marine 12/2, and while I don't have a picture of it, I replaced the wire from the solar panel mounted controller to the batteries with 10/2 (using a PP45, which is compatible with pp30 and even pp15 connectors, only difference is the wire gauge).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MI5EOGG 12/2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087LSDSZ7 10/2

Appreciate your response and links! ;-)