pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Katdaddy,
Permanently connect the charge controller to the battery bank with a fuse close to the battery. The rest is unnecessary at 130 watts.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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Joined: 02/15/2006
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Some controllers don't mind and others do (eg Morningstar minds) when you disconnect from battery you are supposed to disconnect the panel from the controller first. You can't do that with the controller on the back of the panel, so it must be one of those that does not mind.
The new controller might mind, don't know. In case it does, you should have a switch in the panel to controller wiring so you can do it all in the right sequence.
1. 1991 Oakland 28DB Class C
on Ford E350-460-7.5 Gas EFI
Photo in Profile
2. 1991 Bighorn 9.5ft Truck Camper on 2003 Chev 2500HD 6.0 Gas
See Profile for Electronic set-ups for 1. and 2.
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Katdaddy
Petal, MS USA
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Joined: 08/25/2003
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BFL13 wrote:Some controllers don't mind and others do (eg Morningstar minds) when you disconnect from battery you are supposed to disconnect the panel from the controller first. You can't do that with the controller on the back of the panel, so it must be one of those that does not mind.
The new controller might mind, don't know. In case it does, you should have a switch in the panel to controller wiring so you can do it all in the right sequence.
I am also installing an SAE plug to bring the solar into the camper.
Little by little, one travels far - J.R.R. Tolkien
There ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. - Mark Twain
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Katdaddy
Petal, MS USA
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Joined: 08/25/2003
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pianotuna wrote:Katdaddy,
Permanently connect the charge controller to the battery bank with a fuse close to the battery. The rest is unnecessary at 130 watts.
I've read some conflicting information on that. What size fuse should I use.
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red31
Dallas
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Joined: 08/04/2008
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I'd fuse a 20A CC with a 20A fuse! or a 40A CC with a 40A fuse.
wires sized bigger than the fuse.
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jaycocreek
Idaho
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Joined: 12/28/2013
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I have two 100 watt portable panels without a controller connected...I installed a Renogy 30 amp controller in my camper and did the wiring so when I set the panels out all I have to do is connect them via an Anderson connector..i don't keep the controller hooked to the battery 24/7,only when I'm going to use it.
Lance 9.6
400 watts solar mounted/200 watts portable
500ah Lifep04
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Katdaddy wrote:pianotuna wrote:Katdaddy,
Permanently connect the charge controller to the battery bank with a fuse close to the battery. The rest is unnecessary at 130 watts.
I've read some conflicting information on that. What size fuse should I use.
The first consideration is wire size. Size the fuse to the capacity of the wire.
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Johnny G1
Clearwater, British Columbia ,Canada
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Joined: 11/13/2003
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jaycocreek wrote:I have two 100 watt portable panels without a controller connected...I installed a Renogy 30 amp controller in my camper and did the wiring so when I set the panels out all I have to do is connect them via an Anderson connector..i don't keep the controller hooked to the battery 24/7,only when I'm going to use it. Don't hurt to leave controller hook to battery all the time, had the one in the MH hooked up for 18 yrs, never hurt it untill one battery went out.
98 Mountain Aire 34' 210 Cummins Puller and 2001 dodge dully with all the toy's, 400 + hp pullin a 2001 32.5' Okanogan 5th wheel, new to us after 5 yrs with the 28' Travel Aire. Lots of fun.
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Almot
out there
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Joined: 03/02/2010
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jaycocreek wrote:I have two 100 watt portable panels without a controller connected...I installed a Renogy 30 amp controller in my camper and did the wiring so when I set the panels out all I have to do is connect them via an Anderson connector..i don't keep the controller hooked to the battery 24/7,only when I'm going to use it.
Renogy MPPT specifically warns: Connect battery terminals to the charge controller BEFORE connecting the solar panel(s) to the charge controller. NEVER connect solar panels to charge controller until the battery is connected. (caps are theirs).
Renogy PWM has no such warning but the connecting procedure goes #1) Connect controller to battery, and then #2) Connect panels to controller.
Leaving controller permanently connected to battery is the safest as this excludes the user's error. Except for (maybe) when you have it in longterm storage with no sun and are concerned about tiny idle draw on the battery.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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Joined: 02/15/2006
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Besides the controller's spec for connection sequence for whatever reason to do with that controller, any "12/24" controller wants you to connect to the battery first so it can "see" whether your system is 12v or 24v before it is connected to the array
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