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03-22-2018, 03:17 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Medicine Hat AB
Posts: 456
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Batteries and Solar question (maintenance)
This Spring I would like to tidy up my battery compartment.
I have (4) 6V batteries in series/parallel. I will be replacing and or rerouting the cables.
I also have a 160W solar panel and charge controller.
I have heard that I need to disconnect the solar panel to the charge controller before I disconnect my batteries in order to avoid killing the charge controller. Is this correct? What is the best way to disconnect the panel? At the panel on the roof or pull the charge controller out and disconnect there? Would covering the panel have the same effect?
From the charge controller to the batteries, there is a fuse I could pull but nothing from the solar panel to the controller... 
__________________
Current:2008 Triple E Commander 3202FB V10, F53, CHF, Safe-T-Plus, 5Star tune, 2008 Edge Limited AWD Toad, Ready Brute Elite towbar, Demco baseplate
Past: 8 RV's over 32 years.
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03-22-2018, 03:30 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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The directions on my panels just said to cover the panels. Hope this helps.
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03-23-2018, 08:30 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Medicine Hat AB
Posts: 456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
The directions on my panels just said to cover the panels. Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the info.
__________________
Current:2008 Triple E Commander 3202FB V10, F53, CHF, Safe-T-Plus, 5Star tune, 2008 Edge Limited AWD Toad, Ready Brute Elite towbar, Demco baseplate
Past: 8 RV's over 32 years.
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03-23-2018, 09:00 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I've had Morningstar and midnight solar controllers. No need to kill the input to the controller. That said, check with the documentation or manufacturer of your controller.
I always install circuit breakers that can be used as cut-off switches before and after the controller to facilitate maintenance.
As commented above, covering the panels will stop their output.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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03-23-2018, 09:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Medicine Hat AB
Posts: 456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vsheetz
I've had Morningstar and midnight solar controllers. No need to kill the input to the controller. That said, check with the documentation or manufacturer of your controller.
I always install circuit breakers that can be used as cut-off switches before and after the controller to facilitate maintenance.
As commented above, covering the panels will stop their output.
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I may have to pull the controller out of the panel and install a cut off switch. Seems to be the easiest way for me.
When you cover the panels, does the output stop immediately, or does it take a minute or two to dissipate like a capacitor?
__________________
Current:2008 Triple E Commander 3202FB V10, F53, CHF, Safe-T-Plus, 5Star tune, 2008 Edge Limited AWD Toad, Ready Brute Elite towbar, Demco baseplate
Past: 8 RV's over 32 years.
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03-23-2018, 09:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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Just like in the dark, nothing.
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03-23-2018, 09:32 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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They did not want a cut off switch, cover instead to protect the panels.
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03-23-2018, 09:44 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Medicine Hat AB
Posts: 456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
Just like in the dark, nothing.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
They did not want a cut off switch, cover instead to protect the panels.
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Thanks, A32Deuce 
__________________
Current:2008 Triple E Commander 3202FB V10, F53, CHF, Safe-T-Plus, 5Star tune, 2008 Edge Limited AWD Toad, Ready Brute Elite towbar, Demco baseplate
Past: 8 RV's over 32 years.
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03-24-2018, 06:52 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 1,381
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The controller I have is very specific about the order of connecting and disconnecting at the Charge Controller. When connecting, first connect the battery and then connect the solar feed insuring the proper polarity for both. Likewise for disconnecting, the steps are reversed. The objective appears to insure the panels are connected to the controller only when there is a load ( battery) connected. I would suspect that this is the proper sequence for all solar installations.
Triple EEE - this aligns with what you were told.
__________________
Bob
09 Journey 39Z
Southern Ontario
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