Where do I connect the solar charge controller on an '87 Soverign?

[willbrackman]

I own an 87 Sovereign and just purchased a 20 watt GoPower solar kit in order to keep my batteries charged while my trailer is in storage. The kit comes with a Morningstar charge controller that needs to be connected to the two 12 volt batteries that are wired in parallel in the front of the rig.

My question is, where exactly should I tie in the charge controller to the existing 12 volt wiring. I've attached a PDF file of the 12 volt wiring taken from the original owner's manual.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could indicate exactly where on this diagram I should connect the 12 volt leads that come out of the charger controller.

Thanks.Sovereign 12 volt wiring 1.pdf

[lewster]

We connect right to the batteries when installing AM Solar charging systems by running a dedicated charge line directly from the controller. Usually, 8 or 6 AWG, fused or with a 40 DC amp circuit breaker. With only a 20 amp panel, you don't need a heavy gauge like we use. Probably, 12 AWG will work well. It depends on the maximum amperage that the controller will output to the batteries.

A 20 watt panel will only give you a 'trickle' charge of about 1.6 amps peak or so. Fine to maintain batteries that are already charged, but will take a very long time to charge batteries that are depleted.

[Jim Foster]

You can connect the positive from the controller to the "12v battery kill switch" terminal and ground the negative from the controller to the frame or other suitable ground.

Another way is to connect the positive from the controller to a battery positive, and the negative to a battery negative. The positive battery terminals are connected together at the kill switch, and both battery negatives are connected to ground, thus, your batteries are connected in parallel.

Do whatever is easiest. Any positive will go to both batteries, and any good ground will do the same.

All of the above is predicated on your unit being wired as the diagram shows.