Solar battery charger for RV?

[Ghost Hunter]

Just ordered one for the cabin.   

[92xj]

Got my panel in and was going to get it all set up.
Might seem like a dumb question, but which wire is the Positive on the panel, they are both black and I do not see a + or - on the black box...

[BNAElkhntr]

What That Little tag on the one wire say? @92xj

[92xj]

"Do not connect or disconnect under load"

[Stein]

The easy way is to put it in the sun and use a multi meter.  Another way is to open up the junction box.  Almost every module will have a diode (actually two) that is used to help keep power output up when the module is partially shaded.  The diode will have a stripe on one side and that stripe will be on the side that is positive - one lead will be connected to that.  Both diodes "point" in the same direction to the positive lead.

[92xj]

No multi meter at the moment...

[92xj]

every picture I have found including the factory pictures as well as other people posting up there project show the red wire on the right, as the positive.  They must have run out of red when building my unit.  So, I think I am going to assume the right is positive and hope for the best.  What will happen if I assume incorrectly?

PS- I still hate electrical stuff!

[92xj]

@Stein

[mnb300]

the cable to the right is the +. just like Stein said those 2 diodes stripe side connected to the +.

[92xj]

Thanks!

Now, help me learn a little please.  I see no difference in the left and the right, the diodes look connected to the right and the left.

[Stein]

Yep, right cable is +.

[mnb300]

https://www.altestore.com/blog/2017/07/solar-panels-plus-minus-terminals/#.XW_LcyhKg2w

[92xj]

Thanks for the link and help @mnb300 and @stein.
Learn something new everyday.

[ctwiggs1]

Jumping in to thread steal a little here...

If a fella wanted to put some panels up top for some boondocking and didn't have a "solar panel" power port on his RV, could he just rig them up to the main power plug?  I've got a 30A plug for "shore power" (I hate using that term for RV), would I just rig it to that?

[ctwiggs1]

Jumping in to thread steal a little here...

If a fella wanted to put some panels up top for some boondocking and didn't have a "solar panel" power port on his RV, could he just rig them up to the main power plug?  I've got a 30A plug for "shore power" (I hate using that term for RV), would I just rig it to that?

Just realized... I'd need an inverter for that.