Fuse(s) ?

[Vikdikdok]

Do I need to fit a fuse on a solar panel layout ?
If so should the fuse be between the panel & regulator or between the regulator and battery ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

There is sometimes a fuse in the regulator that protects the battery circuit. If you fit a fuse between the panel and regulator it is solely for isolation purposes. I put a 60a circuit breaker on ours..

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[Vikdikdok]

Why such a high amperage breaker ?

 

[Campervan_man]

Solar Panels { as a basic guide only }
If You fit a solar panel You need to look at the whole system.
The battery or batteries that You are going to charge.
The size and length of the wiring.
The fuses, where to put them and the sizes of the fuses.
eg, 100W panel, 12V battery, 10A fuse, wiring needs to be heavier duty than 10A.
WAV, Watts, Amps, Volts.
Most Panels have labels on the back giving information on output etc.
You normally connect the battery first then the solar panel.
Do not connect or disconnect the solar panel 'under load', ie, with 12V stuff ON as they tend to go bang.
A 'Dual Solar Charge Controller' will charge a leisure battery and an engine battery.
A 'Single Solar Charge controller' will charge ONE leisure battery or ONE engine battery.
Charge Controllers are rated, 10A, 20A, 30A, 40A etc
You need to work out the size of Panel, size of Charge controller, Size of Fuse etc.
Or You could ask a Motorhome and Caravan Technician like Me to fit it for You.
The Solar Charge Controller is a device that stops your panel 'over charging' your battery.
ie, When the battery is Fully Charged at 14.4V approx the Solar Charge Controller stops the panel from putting any more power in the battery.
When the battery voltage drops again over time or through useage then the solar charge controller lets the solar panel resume putting power back in to the battery.
It's a bit like tug of war, you take power out and the panel puts it back in again through a charge controller.
Charge Controllers can become WARM to HOT so if mounted in a wardrobe keep flammable items away from them.
Sometimes Leisure batteries are fitted under Cab Seats, in engine bays and other difficult to reach places.
An appropriate roof entry point is usually used to bring the wiring in to the leisure vehicle and it must be well secured and sealed to prevent water ingress.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Why such a high amperage breaker ?

Because it's just used as an isolator. No need for a fuse as our panel isn't capable of delivering more than 10 amps. Even a direct short circuit won't do anything on that side.

An 11+ amp fuse would never blow and a 10 amp fuse would pop when the sun comes out, so all fuses (on the panel side) are useless.

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[autorouter]

Any wire connected to a battery should have a fuse on it, near the battery. Remember a starter-type battery is designed to send out nearly 1000 amps, and its short-circuit current is many times that. Without a fuse, a short-circuit will cause a fire.