Solar Output Controller....What do you connect to yours? (1 Viewer)

[Baggers53]

From most Solar Panel controllers there are two sets of output terminals.
One for the leisure battery, and one for an additional load....What do you connect
to these terminals.
I have a device that has 3 car cigarette charger sockets and a USB port charger.
So as we drive along or parked up on site a number of different devices can be
charged from "free" solar power.
What do you connect to yours?

 

[JJ]

My batteries...

JJ

 

[DBK]

I dont use them, all the power goes to the batteries and chargers etc are taken off them. I don't think the power from the load terminals is any more "free" than the power going to and from the batteries and the battery voltage will be a more reliable source - it will still be there in tunnels!

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[funflair]

The load terminals are still connected to the battery, but the difference is that if the solar regulator sees that the battery is going too far down and there is not enough sun to bring it back up it will disconnect the "load" to save the batteries.

I don't use the load terminals for anything, to answer your question.

Martin

 

[Techno]

Really it depends where your solar regulator is located whether there is any benefit to using the load terminals.
If it's near a 12 volt socket it would be pointless.
Mine is located in the garage so I feed a 12 volt socket for a cool box in there and it is switched from the bedroom above so it can be turned off at bed time so not to disturb sleep

 

[funflair]

Really it depends where your solar regulator is located whether there is any benefit to using the load terminals.
If it's near a 12 volt socket it would be pointless.
Mine is located in the garage so I feed a 12 volt socket for a cool box in there and it is switched from the bedroom above so it can be turned off at bed time so not to disturb sleep

And if that 12volt cool box was depleting the batteries to a dangerous level the requlator would cut the supply itself to save any damage to the batteries.

Not with your battery bank I know Andy

Martin

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[Fletton]

Am I to assume from @Techno and @funflair response...

The "load" terminals just give you the option of a 12v feed from regulator - via your battery bank - with a "built-in" facility to turn off whatever is connected if batteries depleat to x voltage?..

Or is it just a regulated 12v supply direct from panel when sun shines that will turn off and feed Batteries as a priority?...

John T

 

[funflair]

@Fletton I am sure that it is as per your option 1 fed from battery bank with the automatic battery protection cut out.

Martin

 

[chaser]

From most Solar Panel controllers there are two sets of output terminals.
One for the leisure battery, and one for an additional load....What do you connect
to these terminals.
I have a device that has 3 car cigarette charger sockets and a USB port charger.
So as we drive along or parked up on site a number of different devices can be
charged from "free" solar power.
What do you connect to yours?

Can't believe you have just posted that, we have exactly the same arrangement

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[funflair]

The other use for the solar load output can be to power something even when your van 12volts have been shut down, or shuts itself down as British vans seem to do when you turn on the ignition.

Martin

 

[chaser]

The other use for the solar load output can be to power something even when your van 12volts have been shut down, or shuts itself down as British vans seem to do when you turn on the ignition.

Martin

As does our arrangement

 

[Fletton]

@Fletton I am sure that it is as per your option 1 fed from battery bank with the automatic battery protection cut out.

Martin

If that's the case... @funflair ... That's handy to know

So ( without looking ) I should expect to see a feed from solar panel inbound to unit...

A solar "charge" feed to "whatever" - outbound...

And a live 12v feed in bound - from wherever - or perhaps direct from batteries?..to serve load terminals.. ?

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[funflair]

The solar regulator feeds the batteries and then uses the same cables to feed the "load" terminals at the regulator with the cut out inside the regulator.

Martin

 

[Techno]

 

[Techno]

Relay so I can isolate with a small switch

In the bedroom above

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[Fletton]

@Techno

Oh Please!.... Very jealous .....

 

[Moocher]

Very impressed, very professional installation.

 

[rupert]

anybody know at what voltage the "load" cutout trips ??

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[Techno]

anybody know at what voltage the "load" cutout trips ??

You would have to consult the instructions for each regulator

 

[funflair]

anybody know at what voltage the "load" cutout trips ??

No

Might depend on the controller.

Martin

 

[rupert]

my controller is the one @Techno recommended 200w

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[Techno]

I think it alarms at 10.5 volts and disconnects at 10 so I would not rely on it as being helpful

 

[rupert]

thanks for the info andy. but wouldn't want my batteries to get that low anyway so i guess i'll leave it alone

 

[Baggers53]

On a nice sunny day like today all my batteries are fully charged.....
so the "free" lecky from the solar panel is charging 1x iphone and 1x ipad,
not going via the batteries so no discharge/charge cycle....

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