working on solar batteries

[Colbyco]

I have a 2022 3736 Newmar Dutch Star & I need to clean the solar battery lugs. Does anyone know the correct way to disconnect the power coming in & out of the batteries or do you just disconnect the main negative lug ?

[C.Martin]

Generally, the charge controller has an input PV, and an output to Battery. It is usually important for the "Brains" of the unit to always be powered when you apply PV to it. So, if you intend to remove the battery...switch the PV off first. The Battery terminals can be removed, cleaned and replaced. Once the charge controllers is connected again to battery...you can switch the PV back on.

Our Victron has a setting which suspends charging. This is a good way to cut down on arcing when switching PV Off or removing a PV terminal connection.

If you have a Magnum Energy Inverter...you need to follow additional procedures to avoid damaging the AGS or BMK module. I have never heard of the problem occurring with Victron or Xantrex. You can probably just remove the ground connection. Again, reducing the loads to minimize current flow...will keep you from creating a lot of arcing as you disconnect things.

[rarebear.nm]

Like said above. Disable PV before battery. Battery on before PV.


In my setups I use a double pole DIN breaker between the controller and the PV and a sing;e pole breaker between the controller and the battery main buss bar.


I also like to place a reminder note next the controller to disconnect PV before battery.

[SafariBen]

What's the reason for cleaning the lugs? That gets thrown out there a lot as a solution to problems, or for preventive maintenance. I usually disagree, RV's are so complicated, you're more likely to cause problems than solve them by doing "routine" cleaning like that without identifying a problem.



Unless you have measured voltage drop, or heat under load, or you've driven in a lot of salt, I wouldn't take stuff apart just to clean it.