Forum Discussion

rainmanrv's avatar
rainmanrv
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014

disconnect solar panel when running portable generator

Hello RVers I am new on this forum and have my first question? When I am dry camping I hookup my 100watt solar panel which is run threw my xantrex charge controller then direct to my batteries. My question is when I need to turn on my yamaha( ef 2000) generator do you need to disconnect my solar panel leads from the batteries before turning on generator.I am concerned that it could back feed and cause damage to something. All help would be appreciated!!
Thanks
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    The CC, the battery charger, and the circuitry slurping juice from the jars are all separate entities. I disconnect the batteries when not in use... but other than that, I don't see why one needs to disconnect.

    Perhaps if one is not using batteries, it might be wise to disconnect since there is no "buffer" between the charging systems and the items using power... but other than that, everything is separate for the most part.
  • NinerBikes's avatar
    NinerBikes
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    Your solar panel has diodes built in to it, which allow one way feed of electricity from the panel to the charge controller. Your charge controller probably has diodes in it also to prevent back feed. Redundancy.

    So you can leave the solar panel connected to the battery when charging with any method, 110V off your main breaker to your WFCO or whatever, or via the solar panel and it's separate charge controller.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 06, 2014
    Hi mlts,

    All the controllers I've seen shut down if the battery bank is disconnected.

    mlts22 wrote:
    Perhaps if one is not using batteries, it might be wise to disconnect since there is no "buffer" between the charging systems and the items using power... but other than that, everything is separate for the most part.
  • Ex-Tech's avatar
    Ex-Tech
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    No different than when you plug in the shore line and the converter charges the batteries. Leave it connected.
  • rainmanrv's avatar
    rainmanrv
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    Hello I would like to thank everyone on there advise on what do about disconnecting there solar panel.I feel like about 98% of all of you that it is not necessary to disconnect. Just wanted to be sure I do think that it is important to have a good quality charge controller thanks again
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Apr 06, 2014
    rainmanrv wrote:
    Hello I would like to thank everyone on there advise on what do about disconnecting there solar panel.I feel like about 98% of all of you that it is not necessary to disconnect. Just wanted to be sure I do think that it is important to have a good quality charge controller thanks again


    As long as you realize you can get a good quality solar controller for about $13 on eBay :) Any more money than that, you have to have a good reason to want whatever extra features you are buying. But it is not quality.

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