hedge wrote:
2oldman wrote:
hedge wrote:
Why no switches or fuse? I had planned on doing both
If you can explain why fuses are needed between the panels and controller, I'm all ears.
well I'm new to this trying to learn but I thought if you had current running through a wire then you always wanted a fuse to protect the wire from catching fire. A fuse is also specified in the instructions.
what's the theory behind not needing a fuse?
I suspect the theory is that the solar panels are inherently limited in their current supply capabilities. If they are incapable of supplying more current than the wire can safely carry, then the fuse doesn't serve much of a purpose.
I suppose that theory might break down if you happened to park under a giant fresnel lens or (less unlikely) next to some reflective building or other structure that increased the intensity of the light on the panel beyond nominal sunlight. I personally would rather have an unnecessary fuse than omit one that turns out to have been necessary.