Solar Panel Connections

[yerffoeg]

I have recently connected a 20 W solar panel to the start and domestic batteries via a duo controller. The +ve feed from controller to start battery is direct to the battery. The +ve feed to the domestic battery is connected to the main positive busbar. The controller gives priority charging to the domestic battery.

My question is, should the set up be OK, given that I have not connected the positive feed from the controller directly to the domestic battery?

Your advice please.

 

[VicS]

I does not sound right

If you are using a solar controller for charging two batteries from the same solar panel I would expect to see separate Positive outputs from the controller to the two batteries and a common negative .( Possibly two separate negative connections )

But you do not tell us what controller you are using or how your batteries are wired ( 1,2, both switch, or separate isolating switches) or how charging from the alternator is delivered to them ( VSR or diode splitter)


You could use a single output controller with a VSR.

 

[PaulRainbow]

You would normally connect the domestic output to the batteries direct, or to the battery terminal of the isolator switch. Connecting to the busbar could mean that you have to have the domestic isolator switched on for that battery to get charged.

As Vic mentioned, it would be useful to have a little more information.

 

[Graham376]

The engine battery should be isolated when you leave the boat and unless you leave it for very long periods, there should be no need to connect the solar. Unless you have a dual output controller, suggest you just wire solar direct to domestic bank via a fuse.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The engine battery should be isolated when you leave the boat and unless you leave it for very long periods, there should be no need to connect the solar. Unless you have a dual output controller, suggest you just wire solar direct to domestic bank via a fuse.

He said he does have a dual output controller.

 

[Stemar]

I have a dual battery controller. Both my batteries have individual isolators, which are only turned off if I'm fiddling with the batteries, and lead to a 0-1-2-both switch. The common goes to the starter, 1 goes to the engine battery and from 2, a starter cable goes to the domestic battery, and the fused supply to the domestic control panel. The two fused outputs from the controller go to terminals 1 & 2, with priority to the engine battery, on the basis that I don't mind too much if the domestic battery gets a bit low, but I really want to be able to start the engine in a hurry if I need to. In practice, the engine battery is almost always fully charged, and the controller rarely has to do much for it, so it charges the domestic.

As long as your main domestic busbar is between the battery and the switch you use to turn of the domestic system when you leave the boat, the connection should be fine, but you do need a fuse in each of the controller outputs.

 

[Graham376]

He said he does have a dual output controller.

Forgot that bit As you said in an earlier post, better to connect direct to battery rather than bus bar.

 

[neil_s]

Connect direct to the batteries. Don't forget to include a fuse in each line, though!

 

[yerffoeg]

Thanks for the replies.

There are separate isolating switches for the batteries. The charge from the alternator is delivered via a VSR with priority to the start battery.

 

[VicS]

Thanks for the replies.

There are separate isolating switches for the batteries. The charge from the alternator is delivered via a VSR with priority to the start battery.

Then as others have said via fused connections direct to the batteries

Take note that some solar controllers ( Including the Victron Duo )must be connected to the batteries , in order to sense the system voltage, before the solar panels are connected . If applicable disconnect the solar panel while you make the necessary connections to the batteries.