Jackery Solarsage cable/lead

[Sackmycook]

So, my extension cable has arrived, cut the unnecessary socket off the end and stripped back expecting to see one red, one black wire.
Instead I have one white wire surrounded by a sheath of other wire. I've gathered up this.
Do I take it, these are the equivalent off the red and black wires ????

@Dellmassive @Pauly

 

[Pauly]

Yes, normally the centre core will be positive and the surrounding conductor will be negative (we refer to it as concentric cable in work)
After separating you can slide a bit of sleeving or heat shrink over the bare conductor and it will hold it together for you and make it a bit easier plus I prefer it as gives a bit of separation

 

[Sackmycook]

Lovely, cheers.
I did try it much like you described and it all started working.
I'm guessing it only shows the solar that the battery needs, is that correct? In full sun, it was registering 6-10w, on float

 

[Sackmycook]

So far this project has cost me:-
- Victron 75/10 mppt, £42, Amazon
- Jackery (style of) extension cable, £14, Amazon
- Fused battery lead, £6, aliexpress

So a grand total of £20. Even Mrs SMC was impressed

Amazon have been amazingly quick with the deliveries too. I placed an order at 22.30 via my daughter in Cyprus (she has Amazon Prime) and it was delivered at midday today. We are very rural so hats off to them

 

[Dellmassive]

So, my extension cable has arrived, cut the unnecessary socket off the end and stripped back expecting to see one red, one black wire.
Instead I have one white wire surrounded by a sheath of other wire. I've gathered up this.
Do I take it, these are the equivalent off the red and black wires ????

@Dellmassive @Pauly

View attachment 300863

As Paul says.

It's good practice to use a multimeter to test the voltage and polarity at the wire end with the PV panel plugged in.

That way you are 100% sure what way to connect it to the mppt.

 

[Kev.O]

So I’ve now connected the MPPT and it’s working well. The question is, shall I leave the MPPT permanently connected? Looking at the manual the draw is less than 20mA (the BM2 draws only 2mA which I could remove).

Has anyone else left the MPPT on a SB?

 

[Howzat]

Practically everybody I suspect. If the solar panel is connected then even daylight would cover that draw.

 

[Kev.O]

Sorry I should have said the solar won’t be connected, as I’ll only use it when camping to top up the SB (as I don’t have a LB) and the solar panel is the Jackery so not fixed to the van.

 

[Dellmassive]

Sorry I should have said the solar won’t be connected, as I’ll only use it when camping to top up the SB (as I don’t have a LB) and the solar panel is the Jackery so not fixed to the van.

In this instance I'd disconnect it when not in use.

For intermittent use case just use crock clips or quick disconnects to plug in when it's needed and leave disconnected when not.

 

[Sackmycook]

To jump in.....what would be the suitable method of disconnecting from SB/LB when not connected to a solar panel ?

 

[Dellmassive]

To jump in.....what would be the suitable method of disconnecting from SB/LB when not connected to a solar panel ?

If it was hard wired, you could pull the fuse, or fit an isolation switch.?

Or fit a quick disconnect, like sb50 Anderson etc.

 

[Sackmycook]

Isolation switch on the live cable ? Would that be before or after the fuse or doesn't it matter ?

 

[Dellmassive]

Live cable.

The fuse should always be first, as close to the battery terminal as possible.

The switch can be anywhere along the line as long as it's rated for the max voltage and current.

 

[Kev.O]

If it was hard wired, you could pull the fuse, or fit an isolation switch.?

Or fit a quick disconnect, like sb50 Anderson etc.

This is my thinking, I have a fuse just after the battery and will pull this out based on your earlier comment @Dellmassive

 

[Sackmycook]

Yeah, I think that will be the easier option here for me too