New Leisure Batteries

[Phileas Dog]

Just received 2 new leisure batteries .
Need Help! with fitting.
I have 2 solar panels, Can’t seem to find any way to isolate them, is it safe to fit new batteries while solar is charging?
Had thought maybe covering the panels would stop them charging, and make it safe.
Any help / advice appreciated.

 

[royw]

Without knowing what connectors you have i awould take a feed off the controller from the panels and insulate it whilst swapping the batteries, be careful with any connectors as a short could result in damage or a blown fuse at the very least.

 

[pappajohn]

As above, just remove the negative wire, if that touches anything except the 12v+ terminal it won't do anything.
You may need to do that anyway as many modern controllers need to 'see' the battery before the panel so to know the voltage of the system.

 

[Suvvi]

Get some carpet or something over the panels and then disconnect the positive solar feed from the charge controller. You'll potentially toast the charge controller otherwise.

 

[autorouter]

Some solar controllers need connecting in the right sequence: connect the batteries first, and it then recognises if it's a 12V or 24V battery. Then connect the panels. I don't know if your controller requires this.

A couple of solar panels, especially if wired in parallel like they usually are on a motorhome, will not produce a voltage high enough to be dangerous and give you a shock. Also solar panels are not like batteries, and will not be damaged, heat up the wires or blow a fuse if the wires are shorted. So disconnecting one of the panel wires at the controller should not cause any problem.

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[Phileas Dog]

Thank you all
New batteries installed and working.
Covered the solar panels with carpet, removed fuses, from cab battery and leisure battery.
Removed old batteries 7yrs old, dry as a bone. New fitted
All charging on EHU and Solar

 

[Terry]

Shoot me down in flames if you like but I was told to always connect the live wire from solar panel last and if disconnecting always remove it first or you could fry your controller.
Looking for hard hat now

 

[Phileas Dog]

Maybe I just got lucky!,
But all working , and charging.

 

[autorouter]

Maybe I just got lucky!,
But all working , and charging.

There's every chance it's all fine. But if it's not, the first thing you'll notice is a very high charging voltage. If the battery voltage goes above 15V and the batteries start being overcharged, that's what it will be. Keep an eye on the battery voltage for a few days just to be sure.

 

[Nasher]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

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[7 Bertha]

If I.m changing the leisure batteries that I have, that are connected to solar panels, do I disconnect the solar panels

here?
Thanks in advance

 

[autorouter]

Probably best if you do that. Some controllers remember what they were set to, but I don't know if yours is one that remembers.

You only need to take one of the wires off. Wrap a but of insulating tape (or sellotape) round it it you don't like bare wires floating around. If it's only one panel, or panels in parallel, the voltage won't be dangerous.

 

[Raul]

If I.m changing the leisure batteries that I have, that are connected to solar panels, do I disconnect the solar panelsView attachment 417220 here?
Thanks in advance

Yes, unless there is a DC isolator or removable fuse, between panels and controller.