Solar on or off when connected to shore power?

[jma57]

Hello everyone,

I recently installed a no frills 200 watt solar kit. It's working fine, it appears. When I connect to shore power should I disconnect the solar, or leave it alone and let the controller take over?

I did wire in a kill switch on the positive lead, so it's easy enough to switch it off.

As always, thank you.

 

[TacomaJoe]

I have mine on 99% of the time. The solar and shore power work together just fine.

The only time I shut my solar down is when my trailer is just sitting at home. if its an extended period (couple of weeks) I turn off the solar and the converter and let the batteries drain down some.

 

[mysery1]

I'd leave it on. If it was me I would want a disconnect for the solar panels, both positive and negative leads.

 

[Aussieguy]

double check your wiring...
is the smaller blue and brown the wires to the panel

and the larger cables ... going to the switch and then red to battery?

IF SO....... you got the wiring incorrect
the panels are the first 2 wires connections...
the battery the second set

 

[* Boondocking *]

I'd leave it on. If it was me I would want a disconnect for the solar panels, both positive and negative leads.

What would be the reason to disconnect both Pos and Neg?

 

[jma57]

double check your wiring...
is the smaller blue and brown the wires to the panel

and the larger cables ... going to the switch and then red to battery?

IF SO....... you got the wiring incorrect
the panels are the first 2 wires connections...
the battery the second set

Aussieguy,

The brown wire is positive going to battery, blue wire is negative going to battery, they are together in the thicker wire.

Wires from the roof panels:
Red goes to the kill switch, then I used black wire(out of red) from the the kill switch to positive on controller, black goes right to the controller.

Trhank you for pointing this out, I hope I did wire it properly. I followed the instructions, the only thing I added was the kill switch.

 

[NJKris]

A kill switch is good to have, the controller should always be connected to battery before connected to panels, or controller damage may result if panels are engergized.

 

[mysery1]

What would be the reason to disconnect both Pos and Neg?

In the case of solar panels negative is none grounded conductor.

 

[MGD1961]

A kill switch is good to have, the controller should always be connected to battery before connected to panels, or controller damage may result if panels are engergized.

What brand or type controller is that. I’m factory trained with both Victron and Mastervolt and have never heard of any such thing.

 

[PhilFromMaine]

If I understand what you are saying, IMO, there is in inherent danger in using non-traditional colored wiring. If it doesn't confuse you, most likely it will confuse the next owner.

Regarding whether or not you should leave the solar on when connected to grid, IMO, the answer is yes. Solar power is free. In longer term campgrounds, you pay for the power you use. In short term campgrounds, you are helping the environment by using your solar.

 

[NJKris]

What brand or type controller is that. I’m factory trained with both Victron and Mastervolt and have never heard of any such thing.

Hmmm, my goof. I only found these ominous warnings in my Renogy Voyager manual, they are not in the GoPower manual. I thought it applied to all controllers. And it may be a CYA thing, not a damage thing, you would know better MGD.

 

[* Boondocking *]

Hmmm, my goof. I only found these ominous warnings in my Renogy Voyager manual, they are not in the GoPower manual. I thought it applied to all controllers. And it may be a CYA thing, not a damage thing, you would know better MGD.

It does not say on Victron websites that damage will occur, but does give the order of connection as battery first.

 

[jma57]

If I understand what you are saying, IMO, there is in inherent danger in using non-traditional colored wiring. If it doesn't confuse you, most likely it will confuse the next owner.

You are right, it could be confusing to the next owner. It is an easy fix: I'll replace that short length of black wire from kill switch to controller with a red wire.

 

[TitanMike]

You are right, it could be confusing to the next owner. It is an easy fix: I'll replace that short length of black wire from kill switch to controller with a red wire.

Or just add a wrap of red phasing tape to each end and don't change wire.

 

[Aussieguy]

so what happens if you have a system without a battery... load only?
how do you connect battery first if there is none?

like a solar pump... you only pump water when the solar produces enough power

 

[* Boondocking *]

so what happens if you have a system without a battery... load only?
how do you connect battery first if there is none?

like a solar pump... you only pump water when the solar produces enough power

Use a controller that does not state "connect battery first"

 

[corn18]

The only time my solar is not connected is when I am troubleshooting or installing something or the trailer is in storage. Or sometimes I just want to see less than 100% SOC on the Cerbo display. If I don't need constant air conditioning, I usually don't even hook up shore power. I will need shore power this coming week, though. 95 deg F and 75 deg F dew point. Yuck.

 

[jma57]

Or just add a wrap of red phasing tape to each end and don't change wire.

Yes! thank you, no need to rewire.

 

[MGD1961]

Come to think of it I don’t think I have ever turned my solar off except to connect more panels.

 

[reidfo]

I'll be installing my solar this week if weather permits. I am putting breakers on the panels (both positive and negative). I like to be able to isolate things for troubleshooting or upgrades.