Fitting a Victron MTTP question

[Sandy]

I was wondering if I switch the power off from the battery to the MPPT, what would it do with the power coming in from the solar? I was guessing as there’s no power to the MPPT the circuit is broken a therefor nothing is happening. Just wanted to be sure.

That you @Baggywrinkle for the detailed response. I’m sorry you had to spell it out for me but this is all pretty new to me. It’s fascinating stuff!

I see.

Well the power generated should, it really depends on how Victron have designed the circuit, power the MTTP during hours of daylight. You would lose some of the data recording during the hours of darkness. If you had anything wired on the 'load' circuit it would power that.

There is no reason to switch off the MTTP --> battery circuit especially if you have a other Victron smart kit onboard as they pass data between all the devices via Bluetooth. I've been impressed with the Victron kit, and their customer service, since installing it.

 

[noelex]

There is no reason to switch off the MTTP --> battery circuit especially if you have a other Victron smart kit onboard as they pass data between all the devices via Bluetooth.

The risk of lightning is a scenario where disconnecting the solar panels and solar controllers may help.

 

[lustyd]

I was wondering if I switch the power off from the battery to the MPPT, what would it do with the power coming in from the solar? I was guessing as there’s no power to the MPPT the circuit is broken a therefor nothing is happening. Just wanted to be sure.

That you @Baggywrinkle for the detailed response. I’m sorry you had to spell it out for me but this is all pretty new to me. It’s fascinating stuff!

The MPPT should not have a switch between it and the battery, you may choose to switch the panels for simplicity since they need to be connected after the battery every time.
Panels don’t produce power if nothing takes power, they work differently than you’d expect so they can be left in the sun and they’re safe.

 

[Aja]

The risk of lightning is a scenario where disconnecting the solar panels and solar controllers may help.

If the boat was hit by lightning that would be only one of my many worries and problems

 

[noelex]

If the boat was hit by lightning that would be only one of my many worries and problems

Boats hit by a strong direct strike will have everything destroyed. Lightning can even punch holes in the hull and sink the boat. However, in a milder strike turning off electronics can help.

Our previous boat was struck several years ago. Every electronic device that was on at the time of the strike, plus every device outside was destroyed. All electronic items that were disconnected suffered no damage.

So there is value in disconnecting electronics when lightning is close providing you understand that this is not a guarantee of no damage.

 

[Rafal]

I always thought you can’t safely disconnect solar panel. And when you install, you need cover them or do this in dark?

 

[noelex]

I always thought you can’t safely disconnect solar panel. And when you install, you need cover them or do this in dark?

You can disconnect a solar panel without any risk of damage to the panel.

The disconnection (and subsequent reconnection) can produce a spark at the switch or disconnection point. With time this can damage the contact surfaces of the switch or plug. Personally I use DIN rail circuit breakers for this application. These are very easy to replace and relatively cheap. The better units have a magnetic field to suppress the DC arc.

This is preferable to going outside and covering the panels when lightning is nearby. I have never had to replace a solar panel breaker.

 

[Gixer]

Thank you all.

Fitted and working perfectly.



The support will be replaced with a stainless steel tube when I get the right size. I can also adjust the angle by using the clamp.