Welcome to the world of solar.
I use a damp rag to wipe my panels off in the morning. I wouldn't use Windex.
No need to disconnect at night.
Best thing you could do for the controller is take it off the panels and mount it close to the battery. Put the longer run between the panels and the controller, the short run to the battery. I've used 10 gauge for my portables.
The light is blinking when you disconnect the battery because the panels are powering the controller. Most controllers want you to hook up the battery before having power coming in from the panels.
BFL has the markey cornered on twirly thingies.
