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Old 12-03-2018, 08:13 AM   #1
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Solar Panel Fuse Question

Hey Guys, I recently bought two 100 watt Renogy mono solar panels for my Coachmen Apex TT. I don't plan to mount them permanently, just move around on the ground as necessary to catch the most sun. My question is what size maxi blade fuse should I use between the battery and the charge controller. Thanks
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Old 12-03-2018, 12:20 PM   #2
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Solar Panel Fuse Question

I have 8 100 watt panels and i have a 15 amp fuse per panel.Click image for larger version

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The picture is when I was in the process of installing the panels
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Old 12-03-2018, 12:50 PM   #3
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I have a circuit breaker sized to at least 20A above my max current expected. In my case I use an 80A fuse for 50A peak. It's really for catastrophic failures. I use a breaker that is designed to be turned on and off.


I know you didn't ask about solar panels to controller but I use a breaker right after the junction box near the ceiling where the cable feeds through. It's main purpose in my opinion is a way to turn off the solar panel power.
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Old 12-04-2018, 07:17 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by kisatchie View Post
Hey Guys, I recently bought two 100 watt Renogy mono solar panels for my Coachmen Apex TT. I don't plan to mount them permanently, just move around on the ground as necessary to catch the most sun. My question is what size maxi blade fuse should I use between the battery and the charge controller. Thanks
Sizing of Fuses or Circuit breaker should follow the specs of your Solar Charge Controller.

If you have a Renogy Wanderer - 30A PWM Solar Charge Controller. Page 12 of the install manual:
Click image for larger version

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I purchased circuit breakers to also use as a shut-off.
IE: 50 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker for my 50a MPPT.
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Old 12-05-2018, 04:06 PM   #5
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I have 8 100 watt panels and i have a 15 amp fuse per panel.Attachment 192564
The picture is when I was in the process of installing the panels
Wow what a setup. I just got my 2 100w kit from windy nation. Had a 100w kit on old RV and worked great. I have a fiberglass roof and going to use 3m VHB tape to hold them on. I watched a few videos on the tape on RV's and after a year it is still on their roof.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Phil
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Old 12-05-2018, 06:32 PM   #6
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Wow what a setup. I just got my 2 100w kit from windy nation. Had a 100w kit on old RV and worked great. I have a fiberglass roof and going to use 3m VHB tape to hold them on. I watched a few videos on the tape on RV's and after a year it is still on their roof.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Phil
I use Z-brackets for air flow under the solar panels. Heat will reduce the output of a solar panel.
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Old 12-05-2018, 06:58 PM   #7
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I use Z-brackets for air flow under the solar panels. Heat will reduce the output of a solar panel.
yes I will use the Z brackets it came with. I don't want to screw into my roof.
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Old 12-05-2018, 09:15 PM   #8
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yes I will use the Z brackets it came with. I don't want to screw into my roof.
Use a stud finder to locate the cross members. I made sure the front two Z brackets for the front solar panels were on in stud. The front solar panels take the blunt of the wind. Use Dicor sealant to weather proof the Z brackets.

I used the refrigerator exhaust vent to run cables to the roof.
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Old 12-05-2018, 09:47 PM   #9
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I believe the output of your controller is what you want to size for
example 20 amp controller = 20 amp fuse 30=30
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Old 12-05-2018, 11:52 PM   #10
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Reddragon: What accessories can you operate during the day as compared to at night and how many batteries do you have? 12 volt or 6 volt ? Thanks !!
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Old 12-06-2018, 07:00 AM   #11
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I run everything but the AC during the day. the fridge I’ll switch over to propane once the sun begins to set just to conserve battery power. I have 8 6v golf cart batteries with a 3000 watt pure sine wave converter.
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Old 12-06-2018, 09:34 AM   #12
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Use a stud finder to locate the cross members. I made sure the front two Z brackets for the front solar panels were on in stud. The front solar panels take the blunt of the wind. Use Dicor sealant to weather proof the Z brackets.

I used the refrigerator exhaust vent to run cables to the roof.
Not sure I will find studs since they are made out of Aluminum. Yep down the vent like my last RV worked out great.
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Old 12-08-2018, 08:11 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rk06382 View Post
Sizing of Fuses or Circuit breaker should follow the specs of your Solar Charge Controller.

If you have a Renogy Wanderer - 30A PWM Solar Charge Controller. Page 12 of the install manual:
Attachment 192617

I purchased circuit breakers to also use as a shut-off.
IE: 50 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker for my 50a MPPT.
Thanks rk. That's exactly the info I needed. Got a 30 amp maxi fuse and holder to go between the TT battery and the 30 amp charge controller. Ordered 20 amp fuses and holders to go between the two panels and the controller.
Thanks again.
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Old 12-08-2018, 08:18 AM   #14
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I believe the output of your controller is what you want to size for
example 20 amp controller = 20 amp fuse 30=30
Thanks Beck. My Wanderer controller is 30 amp so I went with a 30 amp maxi fuse.
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Old 12-08-2018, 08:49 AM   #15
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I have 8 6v golf cart batteries with a 3000 watt pure sine wave converter.
Holy cow!!! At 64 lbs each for flooded, you are carrying over a quarter ton of batteries! That's not even including weight of all the solar panels. Do you do journeys of biblical proportion, like 40 days in the desert?
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Old 12-08-2018, 08:52 AM   #16
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Found this very clear tutorial for fusing. https://www.renogy.com/blog/how-to-f...-solar-system/
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Old 12-08-2018, 12:59 PM   #17
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Holy cow!!! At 64 lbs each for flooded, you are carrying over a quarter ton of batteries! That's not even including weight of all the solar panels. Do you do journeys of biblical proportion, like 40 days in the desert?


Lol. Where I go for half my vacation ( 5 weeks in Canada)I have access to water but no electric. There are times when it gets cloudy for a few days. The other half (5 weeks in NH)I’ve got both.
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Old 12-08-2018, 01:04 PM   #18
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Found this very clear tutorial for fusing. https://www.renogy.com/blog/how-to-f...-solar-system/


Along with what the article states I have my panels wired to a fuse block. I have each panel fused independently so if one panel should happen to short it won’t effect the other panels.
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