Another solar controller question

I cheat. I throw tarps, towels, etc over the panels if it isn't windy.

Thanks everyone!!! Think I will use the circuit breaker plan!!

I use an AC fusible disconnect box. Wire the positive from the PV panels to one side. Then wire the positive from the charge controller (to the batteries) to the 2nd side.

All you need to do is pull the disconnect to remove both fuses and isolate the controller from the PV's and the batteries.

Don't forget the use a 300 amp fuse between the batteries and the inverter.

Happy Trails,
Lew

I started with in-line fuses on both sides of the controller because the installation manual said it was necessary for code. My Morningstar Tristar 45 PWM controller is fully programmable and requires a disconnect from the battery for the programming process to finish, much like a reboot. The controller should not have any solar current coming in if it isn't connected to a battery, so every time a changed the program I would have to manually remove and reinstall the fuses. Not difficult, but an annoying time consuming step when doing a lot of experimentation. I switched the fuses over to circuit breakers and now it is easy-peazy.

I installed a Fuse on the Positive Solar array wire and another on the Battery side! It is simple enough to pull and replace ,when servicing or changing out the Batteries!

I used this circuit breaker for a panel disconnect switch(it is located 6" from the controller): Cooper-Bussman midrange manual trip circuit breaker

Some controller manuals warn about running a load without the battery connected. If you still have the array hooked up and disconnect the battery, depending on the set-up, you can have the load running from the array via the controller, which is a no-no with some. It might be a bad idea with all of them, if not exactly harmful, don't know.

IMO put a simple switch in one of the array wires by the controller. Then it is easy to open that switch before disconnecting the battery. That is, if you can get at the controller! Some are inset to an interior wall in the RV. Not easy to get at. In that case you have to disconnect the array up on the roof maybe.

All good reason to have the controller close to the battery for short wire run, ease of connections, and handy.

What does your manual say? For my Morningstar Sunsaver, it says that if you do connect or disconnect out of order, no harm will occur.

Yes, best practice to always disconnect power source before service.
Same as you would shut down the generator, unplug the main cord or disconnect from the vehicle.

Yes, disconnect the solar first. Typically the controller needs to see the battery voltage and set that first before the panels get connected.