Forum Discussion

pigpen1003's avatar
pigpen1003
Explorer
Oct 03, 2020

solar panel wiring to 12v batts

I have two 6v batteries wired in series to make 12v. I have a 12v solar panel and I need to figure out how to wire them together. The solar controller has a solar panel in light, and a batt out light, plus charging light. when I hook up controller to solar panel I get strong lights. but when I connect to ground on the first batt and plus on the second batt the lights go out on controller. Am I still charging? does the solar only work on parallel connection? if so the batts would only be 6volts!
  • mchero's avatar
    mchero
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2020
    Does this solar controller have a name and model number? Kinda helps when you let everyone know what your working with.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 04, 2020
    Yes read the installation manual at least twice before you proceed. Virtually all controllers should be connected to the battery first. Then connect the panels. Polarity is critical or the magic smoke comes out of the controller. For any service always remove the panels first.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Oct 04, 2020
    Usually when you first connect to battery, that gives power to the controller so you see its lights. Then you connect to array and then you would see the charging light.

    Perhaps you are actually connecting the battery to the controller array terminals? And the array to the battery terminals? Do not use the load terminals-not applicable to RV set-ups.
  • pigpen1003's avatar
    pigpen1003
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2020
    I messed up and connected solar to controller first, when i did I had bright yellow light saying charging, Then when I connected battery the light went out. So I tried many times to hook up batt first to controller then solar panel still no lights once solar connected. think ill buy a digital controller and ill be careful to wire correctly, I'll tell you my results when I do
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2020
    You are probably hooking something up reverse polarity; I'd guess the battery wires. Most solar charge controllers recommend never having the solar panels connected without a battery connected. Some actually say doing that will damage the controller.
    Do the lights go out immediately or does it take a couple minutes? Some charge controllers turn off their LEDs and displays after a set period of time to save power.
    Have you read the manual?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 03, 2020
    As ground said cover your panels until they are hooked to the controller and the controller is hooked to the batteries. You have miswired something. Review the instructions carefully.
  • groundhogy's avatar
    groundhogy
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2020
    The fact that you are getting lights happening before you connect the batteries tells me that you are connecting the panel to the controller first?

    Most charge controllers like it if you connect the battery first, then the panel second.

    Signed
    Columbo

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