Connecting solar panels to Converter
Is it possible to connect the output from my charge controller to converter instead of direct to the batteries? I have the PD 9100 series that has two sets of pos and neg terminals on it.
Forum Discussion
How much voltage drop is there between the controller and the batteries? That's the question that needs to be answered.
You should only wire the controller to the converter if voltage drop to the batteries would be within acceptable limits. So you need to find out exactly what size those wires are and how long the run is, and put those numbers in a voltage drop calculator. Your batteries will charge either way, but if voltage drop is too high they won't charge fully. Besides losing battery capacity you will also lose battery life, unless you periodically use some other method to get the batteries fully charged.
If your controller allows you to bump up set point voltage then that could compensate for too much voltage drop, but many controllers do not allow that adjustment.
So it makes sense to minimize voltage drop. You've got to run the numbers or you just won't know how bad it is (or isn't). Run the numbers, then decide based on the outcome whether or not you want to leave it that way.
You should only wire the controller to the converter if voltage drop to the batteries would be within acceptable limits. So you need to find out exactly what size those wires are and how long the run is, and put those numbers in a voltage drop calculator. Your batteries will charge either way, but if voltage drop is too high they won't charge fully. Besides losing battery capacity you will also lose battery life, unless you periodically use some other method to get the batteries fully charged.
If your controller allows you to bump up set point voltage then that could compensate for too much voltage drop, but many controllers do not allow that adjustment.
So it makes sense to minimize voltage drop. You've got to run the numbers or you just won't know how bad it is (or isn't). Run the numbers, then decide based on the outcome whether or not you want to leave it that way.
