Solar Panel Reg (1 Viewer)

[rich g]

When I connect my Solar Panel Regulator to my battery do I connect to battery first (positive or negative) or do I connect to. Solar panel first then battery.
Rich

 

[andy63]

Battery first is normal to allow controller to check voltage.. make sure battery is charged...
Normal to have the wires connected to the battery and then insert the fuse when you have that done.
Andy

 

[cranky]

I did 1. cover solar panel. 2. connect solar panel. 3. connect battery. 4 uncover solar panel but best wait for someone with more knowledge than me.

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[cranky]

there you go!

 

[tonka]

Battery first.
Thats what i learned after much reading up. Something to do with the regulator obtaining the battery voltage before it starts it's charge..

 

[JeanLuc]

Always connect the regulator to the batteries before connecting the panel to the regulator. If you do it the other way round there is a chance the regulator may be damaged. Similarly, if you need to take the batteries out of circuit for any reason in future, disconnect the panel from the regulator first, or cover it to block out the sun.

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[andy63]

Similarly, if you need to take the batteries out of circuit for any reason in future, disconnect the panel from the regulator first, or cover it to block out the sun.

That's interesting. . I often pop the fuse out between controler and regulator without isolating the connected panel to check the current... I never gave damage to panels any thought..
As the blurb seems to indicate the controler has plenty protection built in..
Andy

 

[JeanLuc]

That's interesting. . I often pop the fuse out between controler and regulator without isolating the connected panel to check the current... I never gave damage to panels any thought..
As the blurb seems to indicate the controler has plenty protection built in..
Andy

Not sure I follow you Andy. In my mind, controller and regulator are different terms for the same component.

 

[andy63]

Not sure I follow you Andy. In my mind, controller and regulator are different terms for the same component.

Sorry Philip yea should have said controller or regulator....
Ie i often remove fuse between the solar controler and batteries thus disconnecting the batteries without isolating the panel.. but had no idea I ran the risk of damaging the panel..
Hope that's clearer.
Andy.

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[daved2524]

Always connect the regulator to the batteries before connecting the panel to the regulator. If you do it the other way round there is a chance the regulator may be damaged. Similarly, if you need to take the batteries out of circuit for any reason in future, disconnect the panel from the regulator first, or cover it to block out the sun.

Very interesting in my set up the fuse is on the lead from the controller to the batteries. Are you saying the fuse needs to be in the lead from the panel to the controller?

 

[rich g]

Thank you for your replies
Very helpful

 

[Bart]

Very interesting in my set up the fuse is on the lead from the controller to the batteries. Are you saying the fuse needs to be in the lead from the panel to the controller?

I have a fuse at both places , mostly for isolation purposes.

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[Infinity31]

Always connect the regulator to the batteries before connecting the panel to the regulator. If you do it the other way round there is a chance the regulator may be damaged. Similarly, if you need to take the batteries out of circuit for any reason in future, disconnect the panel from the regulator first, or cover it to block out the sun.

It's correct that the battery should be connected first, but when disconnecting apparently it makes no difference. I asked a question regarding removing a controller to battery fuse here:

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/controller-to-battery-fuse.151196/

 

[Infinity31]

Very interesting in my set up the fuse is on the lead from the controller to the batteries. Are you saying the fuse needs to be in the lead from the panel to the controller?

See my post above.

 

[JeanLuc]

It's correct that the battery should be connected first, but when disconnecting apparently it makes no difference. I asked a question regarding removing a controller to battery fuse here:

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/controller-to-battery-fuse.151196/

I note what was said in the thread that you linked to, but I cannot see how it makes electrical sense. If there is a risk to the regulator from having an incoming current from the panel with no battery connected into which to dump the charge, the logic must apply whether connecting or disconnecting.
I refer to the clipping from the installation instructions for my regulator (LR1218) below.

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[Infinity31]

Yep that was my logic regarding disconnecting, and why I questioned the fitting of a fuse on the battery side if disconnecting the battery (blown fuse) first can cause damage.

I have never seen any mention of what damage and why it is caused.