Forum Discussion

_DJ_1's avatar
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2014

Fuse size?

I need to put a fuse in the positive line between battery and solar controller. I currently have 100 watts but may go to 200. Will a 30 amp fuse be enough?

Thanks.............DJ

15 Replies

  • okan-star wrote:
    deltabravo wrote:
    Fuse size is dictated by the wire size. How big is the wire?

    12AWG, 20 amp is good.


    I a house thats true
    But by the charge controller amp if its matched to the panel , a 100 watt panel amp out put max is 5-6 amps , if your charge controller is 15 amp and you might add another panel you could use a 15 amp, 30 amp might not protect if there a problem


    I agree with what Okan-Star says. The thing you are protecting with the fuse is your solar charge controller. I know a number of TC manufacturers for a single panel use a 10 amp controller. That is fine for a single panel, but not for a dual panel. So if you are thinking you will upgrade in the future, look at what solar charge controller that you select first. You probably want something like a 20 amp controller. Also look carefully at the available features for the controller. They are not all the same. Mello Mike has a good blog on solar HERE

    Jim

    Jim
  • DJ,
    For my solar power system, I have a 30amp fuse on that wire which is 10AWG.
  • deltabravo wrote:
    Fuse size is dictated by the wire size. How big is the wire?

    12AWG, 20 amp is good.


    In a house thats true
    But by the charge controller amp if its matched to the panel , a 100 watt panel amp out put max is 5-6 amps , if your charge controller is 15 amp and you might add another panel you could use a 15 amp, 30 amp might not protect if there a problem
  • Fuse size is dictated by the wire size. How big is the wire?

    12AWG, 20 amp is good.