Battery Fuse for Solar/Charger System
From the new solar/charger system was planning to run 6ga + and - wires right to the battery terminals, not tied in anywhere to the existing trailer wiring. Was thinking about using a Blue Sea 519...
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brulaz wrote:Almot wrote:
On-battery fuse by Bluesea is the easiest and closest to battery. Not cheap. Check Amazon, I think I paid $25 for a single block and $18 for a fuse. You don't need a double block if this is only for a battery fuse.
Yes, that's what I linked to in the first post. So guess everybody has had a good experience with it. A bit expensive though ... the wiring, cables, breakers, breaker box, and fuses are getting to be as expensive as the solar panels.
EDIT: westend's solution is a lot cheaper though. But I can't find a 60A version. The 60A equivalents come as MIDI fuse which are smaller and use a fuse holder, not bolt on.
Yup, welcome to the wonderful world of solar installation where modules are dirt cheap but copper is over $3/lb. ;) At least you haven't priced marine disconnect switches......yet. :B
I buy a lot of DC stuff at Waytek Wire. They are close, have good inventory, are straight forward with customers, and don't have the lowest price. Customer service is good but they are geared towards installers and commercial enterprise. Ask them and they will send a catalog or two. They also have that same MIDI fuse in 60 amp flavor.
Be sure that you know what works for you with circuit protection and fusing. The ANL type of fuse has a much quicker time constant than a MIDI and there are others, slower still. For my application and needs, the MIDI fuses meet the requirements. I do have the wires that are pictured from my 6V bank housed in ABS pipe so it would take hitting a big rock and a perfect shear of the wires to blow the fuse.
Almot asked about the undersizing of the fuse: The wire that is terminated to the battery bank (pictured) is 1/0 welding cable. I am running a 1000W inverter for a fridge. Poppa don't like wasting a ma.
That brings up another nasty secret about solar use: Once you get 200W, you start thinking what else would you like to do with free energy and upgrading comes into play. That may impact how you install everything and whether you want to upsize wire or get a bigger controller, initially.
