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Dick_641's avatar
Dick_641
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016

Solar install ???

Need some advice on my solar install, can I run the neg. an pos. wires from the Morningstar mppt 60 controller to my pos. an neg. buss bars or do they need to go straight to battery posts? also can a double pole 60 amp breaker as used in houses be used as the fuses before an after the controller on the pos. line?
  • Yes you can run to the buss bars
    As for the breaker
    Maybe.. If you find one with screw terminals on each side aka four screws
    Most house breakers snap in to the high buss bar in the breaker panel and only have a screw terminal on the output side

    I had fuse on my solar wires replaced the fuse with 40 amp DC circuit breaker
  • Bus bar is fine.

    60a breaker is too small for output. See install manual.

    No those breakers are rated for AC. You need DC switches or breakers rated for the proper voltage and current.
  • Check out Jack Mayer and Handy Bob`s web sites, tons of solar info and help.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    After the controller - not only yo can, but you should.

    Controller -> DC breaker or fuse -> bus -> battery fuse -> battery.

    Breaker should be DC. Not like those in houses. In my system I used Big Baby breakers box and DIN rail DC breakers, all purchased at Az WindSun (I think). Very nice box, mounted there Pos and Neg bus and 2 breakers, have 2 vacant slots left.

    Before controller you can use any switch of sufficient amperage, fuse or breaker is not crucial there.
  • Not to complicate things further... but... if you have a shunt for a battery bank monitor, all the solar needs to pass thru this shunt (in which case running directly to the battery bank neg/pos posts would not be good). If you already have battery (pos and neg) buss bars, those are probably your best connection points.
  • Thank you all for responding will go with fuses.

    I do have a shunt, an a bogart monitor so will hook to buss bars, will try to attach a photo

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