Cut off switch with solar panels

[4x4ord]

I bought 4x 100 watt solar panels and a Renogy Rover MPPT charge controller. The Rover manual states: NEVER connect the solar panel array to the controller without a battery. Battery must be
connected first.

So I guess I have to remember to remove the batteries I need to disconnect the panels first. I find this interesting because my father has been pulling his batteries out of his 5ver for winter storage for years and I'm sure he doesn't disconnect his solar panel to controller. Maybe the wattage of his panels isn't enough to fry the controler. I think this sounds like an accident waiting to happen. At some point someone will disconnect the battery to replace it or clean the posts and not know to disconnect the controller first. I guess it would help some to install a switch on the positive wire from panels to controller?


Edit: I was wrong. He pulls a fuse on the front of his controller when he removes his batteries.

[Vette_Racer]

I guess it depends on what brand of solar controller you have, I use a Blue Sky 30 amp controller and just disconnect the fuse going to the batteries to turn it off. Was told by installer that the Blue Sky has a time delay built in so you can disconnect or connect without a problem, panels never need to be disconnected. Been doing this for 3 years and no problems.

[naturist]

4x4ord wrote:

work2much wrote:

Old Days wrote:
Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

Something like this would be appropriate.
Circuit breaker

That one looks a little better but I bought one like this cuz it's significantly cheaper. Especially when you consider you don't have to solder lugs onto the wire.

Oops, forget it I didn't read it properly. Your looking for a 270 amp switch.

You misread. He's looking for a 270 WATT switch, nominal 24 volts, 15 amps. Huge difference.

[naturist]

jdc1 wrote:

Old Days wrote:
Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

https://www.amazon.com/Ampper-Battery-Disconnect-Isolator-Vehicles/dp/B07JZ9NDH2

This is all you need.

No, that is pretty much guaranteed to fry his charge controller. That is a battery disconnect, not a suitable switch for the wire between the panels and the charge controller.

[4x4ord]

work2much wrote:
Yes, most controllers need to have 12v power to turn themselves on and running solar panels to them without the battery connected isn't advised. On our Victron it omits the high voltage alarm to remind me.

It is a good idea to circuit protect the wiring anyway so I installed a blue sea circuit breaker between the roof combiner box and the solar charger to protect the cabling anyway. It is mounted inside the camper on our system as I like to turn off the solar once the LFP batteries are full or close to full. LFP doesn't benefit from a small trickle charge when full or close to full. This could be mounted anywhere between the panels and the controller.


Click For Full-Size Image.

On the battery side I also installed a circuit breaker between the solar charger and the battery to protect that cable as well and to work on the solar charger if needs to be deenergized but I wish to keep the rest of the system live.


Click For Full-Size Image.

Nice job.

[4x4ord]

2oldman wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
Maybe the wattage of his panels isn't enough to fry the controler

Maybe he's under cover..?

No he's not under cover but I think his solar panel might only be 100 watts or so. I think he has a GoPower system.

Edit: After thinking more about it I recall, now, that he pulls a fuse on his charge controller.

[4x4ord]

work2much wrote:

Old Days wrote:
Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

Something like this would be appropriate.
Circuit breaker

That one looks a little better but I bought one like this cuz it's significantly cheaper. Especially when you consider you don't have to solder lugs onto the wire.

Oops, forget it I didn't read it properly. Your looking for a 270 amp switch.

[Old_Days]

Thanks I have used them before, the voltage is around 22 to 24 volts the amps maybe 12 or 13 amps combined. thanks for the help.

[jdc1]

Old Days wrote:
Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

https://www.amazon.com/Ampper-Battery-Disconnect-Isolator-Vehicles/dp/B07JZ9NDH2

This is all you need.

[time2roll]

Old Days wrote:
Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

What is the voltage?

[work2much]

Old Days wrote:
Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

Something like this would be appropriate.
Circuit breaker

[work2much]

Yes, most controllers need to have 12v power to turn themselves on and running solar panels to them without the battery connected isn't advised. On our Victron it emits the high voltage alarm to remind me.

It is a good idea to circuit protect the wiring anyway so I installed a blue sea circuit breaker between the roof combiner box and the solar charger to protect the cabling anyway. It is mounted inside the camper on our system as I like to turn off the solar once the LFP batteries are full or close to full. LFP doesn't benefit from a small trickle charge when full or close to full. This could be mounted anywhere between the panels and the controller.


Click For Full-Size Image.

On the battery side I also installed a circuit breaker between the solar charger and the battery to protect that cable as well and to work on the solar charger if needs to be deenergized but I wish to keep the rest of the system live.


Click For Full-Size Image.

[Old_Days]

Can someone post a link of a good switch to shut off power from 270 watts of solar to the controller. Thank you.

[Lwiddis]

I use a couple of tarps over my three panels then disconnect just to be safe. I don't want a busted controller. It was heck to get it installed in my pass thru storage comparment.

[ppine]

You need a disconnect between your batteries and your controller. Put it on a board with your controller.