So I am new to solar. I noticed corrosion on one of my battery cables and want to remove and Clean it. I do not think I have an on/off switch on the solar charge controller. Is it OK to remove the Battery cable with Sun out and the charge controller on? If not, how should this be done? Thanks!

I would disconnect or cover the panels first. AGM batteries won't corrode anything.

Some controllers may let out the magic blue smoke if there is no battery in the circuit. Better to disconnect the panels first.

I have read that you need to cover and disconnect the panels first. Both for safety, and for life of components.

"Wait until Dark" ohhhh that was a great movie.

My Zamp solar charge controller may require a ‘re-boot’ if the battery is disconnected before the solar panel is disconnected. If no where to easily disconnect the solar panel, the suggestion to cover the panel with a light blocking blanket or sheet of plywood is good. .....or work at night....

Disconnecting Batteries with Solar? | Good Sam Community

red31
Explorer
Jun 10, 2018
Hi PT, just asking Twriter a simple question if he and that forum recommend fusing both + and - as bussman does! His link was less than useful for me.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 10, 2018
red31,

If the negative is the ground then fuse on the positive side.
red31
Explorer
Jun 10, 2018
TechWriter wrote:

You'll get better advice on MidNite Solar Forum.

Do the forum posters recommend a fuse on both the + and - ?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 09, 2018
Fine with me if you put in needless and useless fuses.

There are no RV systems that use inverters that I am aware of, but it would be possible to design one. If you did--then fuses would be needed. But anyone who is working at that level would know fuses are required.
TechWriter
Explorer
Jun 09, 2018
pianotuna wrote:

A quote from the Bussman Solar Article "For arrays with only one or two sub-arrays and sub-array cables adequately sized, fusing may only be required if local installation regulations or codes require them."

TechWriter wrote:

And right after that quote is this:

"However Cooper Bussman recommends fuse link protection in all PV systems as unpredicted fault currents may occur in the event of inverter failure."

pianotuna wrote:
Which refers to grid tied inverters. I don't know any RV'er who uses them.

You can't have it both ways. Either you use what the Bussman recommends or don't bring it up in the first place.

OP, one of this thread's posters actually recommended using just plain wire as a fuse in a previous solar fusing thread.

You'll get better advice on MidNite Solar Forum.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 09, 2018
Which refers to grid tied inverters. I don't know any RV'er who uses them.

TechWriter wrote:
pianotuna wrote:

A quote from the Bussman Solar Article "For arrays with only one or two sub-arrays and sub-array cables adequately sized, fusing may only be required if local installation regulations or codes require them."

And right after that quote is this:

"However Cooper Bussman recommends fuse link protection in all PV systems as unpredicted fault currents may occur in the event of inverter failure."
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Jun 09, 2018
westend wrote:
Traveler7 wrote:
2oldman wrote:
There's no compelling safety reason for fusing solar. It's not like they are batteries capable of runaway amperage starting fires.

Well, A lightning strike on the panel might give you a compelling reason...
For sure.

I like that inline manual breaker that Denver Transplant linked to. Here: Inline breaker I used a Bussman manual breaker and they are twice that price. It sure is handy to have a switch on that circuit, though.

That breaker also makes a great disconnect between panels and controller.
red31
Explorer
Jun 09, 2018
and this

'Cooper Bussmann recommends using fuse links in positive and
negative cables, each with adequate voltage'

2 strings and they would recommend 6 fuses.
2 for each sub-array and 2 for total array.
TechWriter
Explorer
Jun 09, 2018
pianotuna wrote:

A quote from the Bussman Solar Article "For arrays with only one or two sub-arrays and sub-array cables adequately sized, fusing may only be required if local installation regulations or codes require them."

And right after that quote is this:

"However Cooper Bussman recommends fuse link protection in all PV systems as unpredicted fault currents may occur in the event of inverter failure."
Traveler7
Explorer
Jun 09, 2018
westend wrote:
Traveler7 wrote:
2oldman wrote:
There's no compelling safety reason for fusing solar. It's not like they are batteries capable of runaway amperage starting fires.

Well, A lightning strike on the panel might give you a compelling reason...
For sure.

I like that inline manual breaker that Denver Transplant linked to. Here: Inline breaker I used a Bussman manual breaker and they are twice that price. It sure is handy to have a switch on that circuit, though.

I have a 20 amp inline breaker just like that on the positive cable. Also using a 60 amp version on my Wagan Elite 1000 Watt pure sine inverter.

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