Solar Panel Disconnected from SUN
I am planning installing 4X140W panels(parallel)flat mounted going to 15A breakers(so they can be switched off if needed) to the charge. The panel have ISC of 7.50 each times 4 equal 30. The controlle...
Forum Discussion
2oldman wrote:jrnymn7 wrote:Maybe, but how often do you do that?
Wouldn't it be advantageous to having some sort of switch/breaker between panels and controller, if for no other reason than eliminating the possibility of the cable connectors arcing when disconnecting ?
OP mentions getting a Morningstar PWM TS-45 controller. This is a fully programmable controller and if the user wants to change a parameter, then the controller must be rebooted for the new settings to take by having the link to the 12V batteries cycled. A circuit breaker is very handy for this. The controller manual also says that it is important to not have solar array current coming into the controller when it is not hooked up to the battery. So it is equally important to be able to conveniently disconnect the panels for the controller when making changes to the charging profiles. When I've been tinkering with charger parameters, I'll often disconnect the controller numerous times in a day. Resettable circuit breakers are so handy for this, a huge improvement over even pulling a fuse.
