Solar regulator.

[Laysula]

Just wiring up for a solar panel and wondering about siting the regulator. Instructions are to place as close as possible. So I thought I would just attach it to the top of one of the batteries with some double sided tape. Can anyone see a problem with that?

 

[rotrax]

Our new Epever 30A has a screen display. This is used for adjusting settings and displaying performance.

I mounted it as close as I could in a convenient place to use the screen and adjustments. In the battery compartment it would be out of reach and sight.

If you have a simple and small one your idea might work. I suspect Gorrila velcro from 3M might be a better mounting medium. You will be able to move it easily.

 

[William_H]

I would not fit a regulator on top of a battery. Especially an open wet cell type. Fumes consisting of gas and vaporised acid abound at the top of the battery as seen by corrosion of battery terminals.
I can't see any reason to fit regulator near battery. Except that if it is fitted near to battery then wires directly to the terminals which are unprotected from short circuit by fuse will be shorter. So suggest away from battery but fit a fuse at the positive connection to the battery if that wire is long or close to any other wire or metal. (the danger here is high current from the battery overheating the wire if it does get to touch another negative wire or metal part.) ol'will

 

[noelex]

The reason the instructions mention mounting the solar regulator as close to the batteries as possible is to minimise the voltage drop between the regulator and the batteries. Voltage drop between the regulator and the batteries will effect the charge algorithm voltage set points. On the other hand voltage drop between the solar panels and the regulator will not alter the voltage set points, so this less important (although it will reduce the overall power production).

Some solar regulators also measure “battery” temperature at the regulator (rather than using a remote sensor).

However, mounting the regulator very close to lead acid batteries exposes the regulator electronics to corrosive battery fumes especially with flooded batteries. There is also at least a theoretical ( and for some installations and fault conditions a real practical) risk of causing an explosion. Solar regulators are not ignition protected.

Directly on top of the batteries is not a good idea.

If you need to mount the regulator a moderate distance from the batteries then oversizing the cables between the regulator and the batteries will minimise the voltage drop. It is always a good idea during installation to check the voltage set points directly at the battery, as many solar regulators have inaccurate voltage sensing even ignoring voltage drop. This will also allow you to measure the actual voltage drop between the regulator and the batteries. The voltage drop cannot be accurately compensated for by adjusting the regulator’s voltage set points, as the amount will vary with the charging current, but you can make a rough compensation by using a typical charging current value. This will be different for the absorption and float stage.

For temperature compensation a remote sensor is much better and they are not expensive, but if this not an option try to mount the regulator in a location that will have a similar temperature to batteries. If this not feasable disable the automatic temperature regulation and set the adjustment manually (it will need further manual adjustment at least between summer and winter).

Setting the voltage set points accurately makes a significant difference to battery life and charging speed so it is worth taking the trouble to make these as accurate as possible.

 

[ghostlymoron]

There's several factors involved here. Proximity to panel, closeness to the batteries and access to the regulator itself. Sophisticated regulators have controls that need to be set and indicators that can be viewed. I've only had the latter but it's useful to have them in easy sight. Otherwise choose a position that minimises cable runs.