Plugging a jackery power bank into a solar circuit

[The_Kraken]

I recently bought a Jackery power bank (240) to help run off grid for the odd day ‘ weekend, This led me on to install a 100w solar panel to assist with charging the leisure battery and to recharge the power bank.

I planned on wiring the solar panel into a Victron 75/10 and when I needed to divert the solar input to my Jackery I would unplug the Victron 75/10 and plug in my Jackery power bank. The Jackery has a built in solar controller so cannot run via the Victron mppt controller Hence, having to unplug and plug in the Jackery lead to the solar panel rather than hooking it up to the Victron 75/10.

To do that I was going have a pair of MC4 connectors in line, between the solar panel and the Victron. However, I have read in various places that it is unsafe (dangerous even) to unplug MC4 connectors under load. This can lead to electrical arcs and fire etc.

I’m now a bit stuck and need some advice from anyone that’s solved this issue of possible? Here are the scenarios I think I have:

1. T off of the solar cables and plug in my Jackery lead (it’s a two MC4 lead into a DC 8mm Jack). Would this work? / be safe to do? I would leave this permanently connected the the 8mm Jack free to plug into the Jackery power bank? After all, the Jackery is capable of plugging directly into a solar panel without isolating the panel?

2. Buy an isolator and fit it between the solar panel & the MC4 connectors. I could then isolate the solar panel and disconnect the MC4 connectors and hook them up to my Jackery lead. Downside is that the available DC isolators that can cope with two poles (for the negative & positive cables from the solar panel) are quite big and expensive.

3. Charging the Jackery from the 12v circuit (the leisure battery) will take far longer than directly from the solar panel. But ultimately, I could do that - just wire the solar panel to the leisure battery and negate the issues of how to plug the Jackery into the solar circuit.

any ideas anyone?

 

[Bobby-gg]

Haven't you just recently asked this question on Facebook?
If you didn't, someone else asked exactly the same question!

I'd say charge from your existing 12v system rather than break into your solar side, that way you can also charge whilst on the move

 

[Lenny HB]

The only problem with unplugging MC4 connectors is that it's a right pig without the proper tool.
Why not just fit a changeover switch.

 

[The_Kraken]

Haven't you just recently asked this question on Facebook?
If you didn't, someone else asked exactly the same question!

I'd say charge from your existing 12v system rather than break into your solar side, that way you can also charge whilst on the move

You’re right Bobby - it was me!

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Could you not purchase the folding jackery solar panel. My thoughts are if you are sharing the solar panel that's connected to the leisure battery both batteries will take longer to recharge. It might be worth it to keep your jackery separate from van so you always have enough power. The jackery solar panels look quite slim when folded.

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[The_Kraken]

The only problem with unplugging MC4 connectors is that it's a right pig without the proper tool.
Why not just fit a changeover switch.

Cheers Lenny. Have you got a recommendation? (as you can tell, I have no clue about electrics)

 

[Lenny HB]

Cheers Lenny. Have you got a recommendation? (as you can tell, I have no clue about electrics)

Any reasonable quality switch that can handle at least 10 amps will do the job. Best to buy a branded one like Arcolectric.

 

[The_Kraken]

Could you not purchase the folding jackery solar panel. My thoughts are if you are sharing the solar panel that's connected to the leisure battery both batteries will take longer to recharge. It might be worth it to keep your jackery separate from van so you always have enough power. The jackery solar panels look quite slim when folded.

I had thought about this but, they’re not the cheapest and also, I don’t want them getting nicked. I’m about out of room on my MH roof now.

the whole reason I bought the Jackery is that I’ll be going to a motorsports event and camping there the weekend. There’s no EHU so hence I’m trying to get myself sufficient never having used the MH off grid before.

infact, the campsite we stayed on last weekend actually had electrical issues and their mains supply failed several times. We then discovered that our leisure battery was infact knackered and it all the time we thought it was ok. It turns out that we think that the van had been drawing off the vehicle battery. That failed when we tried to leave the site on Monday morning. Had to get the AA out to get us going. So I’ve now got a new leisure battery and vehicle battery.

 

[The_Kraken]

Could you not purchase the folding jackery solar panel. My thoughts are if you are sharing the solar panel that's connected to the leisure battery both batteries will take longer to recharge. It might be worth it to keep your jackery separate from van so you always have enough power. The jackery solar panels look quite slim when folded.

Actually, i’ve just seen that eco worthy do a portable 100w briefcase panel for just over £100. It’s definitely worth considering that option.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I don't have a jackery type battery but I like the look of them and like how versatile it could be having the flexibility to move it into home and camping etc. A couple we go away with has a similar set up they pop out the folding panel and direct it at sun for a few hours per day, then put it away. On a night they run their TV from jackery bank. The couple don't have solar on caravan though.

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[Carpmart]

I’d also use XT60 connectors, way better than mc4.

 

[GMLS]

Use a change over switch like here

If you want to proceed with standalone folding panels, I've bought 2 of these for my Anker 767 and impressed with quality and output

 

[The_Kraken]

Use a change over switch like here

If you want to proceed with standalone folding panels, I've bought 2 of these for my Anker 767 and impressed with quality and output

View attachment 739910

Thanks GMLS. I’ve ordered a switch from Amazon. Should do the trick!