Follow up Solar Question
I bought a 130 watt solar suitcase lase year for our trips to the mountains, where we have no hookups. It came with a cheap PWM charge controller and alligator clips to connect to the batteries. Used ...
Forum Discussion
jaycocreek wrote:
I have two 100 watt portable panels without a controller connected...I installed a Renogy 30 amp controller in my camper and did the wiring so when I set the panels out all I have to do is connect them via an Anderson connector..i don't keep the controller hooked to the battery 24/7,only when I'm going to use it.
Renogy MPPT specifically warns: Connect battery terminals to the charge controller BEFORE connecting the solar panel(s) to the charge controller. NEVER connect solar panels to charge controller until the battery is connected. (caps are theirs).
Renogy PWM has no such warning but the connecting procedure goes #1) Connect controller to battery, and then #2) Connect panels to controller.
Leaving controller permanently connected to battery is the safest as this excludes the user's error. Except for (maybe) when you have it in longterm storage with no sun and are concerned about tiny idle draw on the battery.
