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
Different controllers, different "charging profiles" Some have two adjustable voltages, one for what it gets the batteries up to and then another for Float what it does after that.
That one will not need baby-sitting once you get used to it and have the voltage set right for your situation where camping. When your situation changes you can adjust the voltage and be good again for that time there.
If you have the battery capacity and the panel amps so that the battery takes all day to reach the voltage setting, there is nothing for you to do anyway. If you had a big array and a small battery you would get to 14.x real soon in the day and then you would have to go out and change the voltage setting to a lower number. Some controllers have a selectable voltage for that and drop to that by themselves.
The one you have is more of a load controller for being able to run loads with out draining the battery right down (it will shut off the load if the battery gets to your selected low voltage for that and turn the load back on when the battery is recharged some.) as well as being able to charge up the battery
For a three- stage charging profile but with no selectable voltages you could get a LandStar 2020 which might do for you. (no ammeter though--yours has that) It gets the batts to 14.6, stays at 14.6 for two hours, and then drops to 13.8 all by itself. This suits many situations. No operator required.
You also need to match to battery type. Some charging profiles and voltage settings are good for Wets but not for some AGMs but ok for other AGMs. Selectable voltage like on yours is good for that.
IMO live with it for a while and see if it suits you. If not, by then you will know better what you want in your next controller. Or ask on here. Each poster will say to get the same as what he has because it is the best. :)
That one will not need baby-sitting once you get used to it and have the voltage set right for your situation where camping. When your situation changes you can adjust the voltage and be good again for that time there.
If you have the battery capacity and the panel amps so that the battery takes all day to reach the voltage setting, there is nothing for you to do anyway. If you had a big array and a small battery you would get to 14.x real soon in the day and then you would have to go out and change the voltage setting to a lower number. Some controllers have a selectable voltage for that and drop to that by themselves.
The one you have is more of a load controller for being able to run loads with out draining the battery right down (it will shut off the load if the battery gets to your selected low voltage for that and turn the load back on when the battery is recharged some.) as well as being able to charge up the battery
For a three- stage charging profile but with no selectable voltages you could get a LandStar 2020 which might do for you. (no ammeter though--yours has that) It gets the batts to 14.6, stays at 14.6 for two hours, and then drops to 13.8 all by itself. This suits many situations. No operator required.
You also need to match to battery type. Some charging profiles and voltage settings are good for Wets but not for some AGMs but ok for other AGMs. Selectable voltage like on yours is good for that.
IMO live with it for a while and see if it suits you. If not, by then you will know better what you want in your next controller. Or ask on here. Each poster will say to get the same as what he has because it is the best. :)
