I want to install a switch to disconnect my 155w panel from the controller. The regular battery disconnects are so big. Any harm using a small toggle? Or maybe there are smaller disconnects? I looked around amazon and e bay. Seems like im seeing the same 3 products under different names. Why?Trailer is on shore power mostly. No need to float fully charged batteries every single day. I think thats what killed my agm batteries in under 2 years.

You might already have a fuse holder and fuse. Otherwise they should be easy to install.

Switches have amp ratings, so any one with enough ampacity will do.That would not be what killed your AGMs. Follow the AGM guide here:https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf

wopachop wrote:I want to install a switch to disconnect my 155w panel from the controller. The regular battery disconnects are so big. Any harm using a small toggle? Or maybe there are smaller disconnects? I looked around amazon and e bay. Seems like im seeing the same 3 products under different names. Why?Trailer is on shore power mostly. No need to float fully charged batteries every single day. I think thats what killed my agm batteries in under 2 years.A proper float charge helps promote long battery life....not shorten it. But if you still want a switch, I'd suggest a nice quality Blue Sea product such as this: Blue Sea 187 series

Everything i read says a constant float charge is harmful to both flooded and sealed.

An inline circuit breaker like this is perfect for the job.

solar disconnect switch | Good Sam Community

JimK-NY
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
You might already have a fuse holder and fuse. Otherwise they should be easy to install.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
Switches have amp ratings, so any one with enough ampacity will do.

That would not be what killed your AGMs. Follow the AGM guide here:

https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
wopachop wrote:
I want to install a switch to disconnect my 155w panel from the controller. The regular battery disconnects are so big. Any harm using a small toggle? Or maybe there are smaller disconnects? I looked around amazon and e bay. Seems like im seeing the same 3 products under different names.

Why?
Trailer is on shore power mostly. No need to float fully charged batteries every single day. I think thats what killed my agm batteries in under 2 years.

A proper float charge helps promote long battery life....not shorten it. But if you still want a switch, I'd suggest a nice quality Blue Sea product such as this: Blue Sea 187 series
wopachop
Explorer
May 29, 2019
Everything i read says a constant float charge is harmful to both flooded and sealed.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
May 29, 2019
An inline circuit breaker like this is perfect for the job.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 29, 2019
Hi,

I used these:

https://www.amazon.ca/Justech-Light-Rocker-Toggle-Switch/dp/B076M5HXVK/ref=asc_df_B076M5HXVK/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292994004451&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=771265360361641553&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001253&hvtargid=pla-438840374333&psc=1
ppine
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
I was wondering the same thing. There are some specialty electronic outlets that carry all kinds of fuses. I am using a 50 amp resetable fuse on the cable coming from my battery. It works just like a disconnect. Costs about $12.
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
May 29, 2019
Throw a chunk of cardboard or plywood over your solar panel and place a rock to hold it down.
Otherwise, any toggle switch that is rated at least 10amps will work since your solar can't produce more than that at 12 volts.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 29, 2019
Ski Pro 3,

Panels are often 17 volts. Much higher voltage panels are also available. Mine are wired in series/parallel giving a nominal voltage of 33 on the input side of the controller.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
wopachop wrote:
Everything i read says a constant float charge is harmful to both flooded and sealed.

See the Trojan guide linked earlier on that. Also Lifeline's guide and Rolls' guide.

Switch is good for isolating panel from controller before disconnecting battery. Idea of using a cover on the panel without disconnecting it does not seem the same somehow, but not sure.