Flexible Solar Panel - Will This Wire Cause Problems
FedEx just delivered my 100W flexible solar panel. I noticed this wire sticking out. Do you solar gurus think it will cause issues/problems down the line when it's out in the weather?
Forum Discussion
You will have to be on top of things so you can decide how to operate that controller for your situation. You don't want to get to 14.8v mid-morning and leave it there all day while the battery bubbles away too much of its water. That controller voltage is temp comp but your battery is not. :) So in really hot weather that 14.8 might be too high. (watch the battery water level-don't forget-get an idea how long it takes to get down to need a refill)
OTOH if you start the morning with the battery low and you don't get to 14.8 until late afternoon that is perfect, because you want some time at that 14.8 to finish charging the battery.
Some cloudy days might be good for that and some sunny all day days might not be so good where it gets to 14.8 too early for you. How the heck can you know what is good and not like that? Watch your battery water levels closely. You will lose some but should not be losing a lot.
It is not a fire and forget gizmo. It needs you to keep an eye on things and adjust the voltage as conditions change over the days, locations, and seasons. Just more chores to do!
OTOH if you start the morning with the battery low and you don't get to 14.8 until late afternoon that is perfect, because you want some time at that 14.8 to finish charging the battery.
Some cloudy days might be good for that and some sunny all day days might not be so good where it gets to 14.8 too early for you. How the heck can you know what is good and not like that? Watch your battery water levels closely. You will lose some but should not be losing a lot.
It is not a fire and forget gizmo. It needs you to keep an eye on things and adjust the voltage as conditions change over the days, locations, and seasons. Just more chores to do!
