Connecting folding solar panel kit ?

[Grim the Viking]

Hi guys, I have just bought a 100w folding solar panel kit complete with charge controller attached, to use when off grid during the winter when the sun is low. I have 3x150w panels on the roof connected to a 40amp charge controller and then through the schaudt ebloc, system works fine although maybe loosing a little from the panels because of not going direct to batteries from charge controller, my battery bank is 3x100amp, 2 under the drivers seat and the 3rd one (easy accessible) in the bottom of the wardrobe behind the drivers seat, Can I just connect to the plus/minus terminals on the 3rd battery ? any comments appreciated.

 

[Phantom]

My understanding is if solar is connected via the EBL then it is using the EBL solar reguator, and your likely already above it's rating, so best to go direct to batts with all.

 

[trevskoda]

Is the regulator that came with it a mppt.

 

[Grim the Viking]

My understanding is if solar is connected via the EBL then it is using the EBL solar reguator, and your likely already above it's rating, so best to go direct to batts with all.

The EBL solar connection has a 20amp fuse in it, so with the 3 x150w panels rated @ 6.3amp, I am at the limit on that, and its been Ok for the past 12mth even in Spain but it was winter months?? but this folding one is just for temporary hook up during the day when sun is low, but I know where you are coming from when you say everything would be better going direct to batteries and any probs with the EBL fuse and I will be changing to direct to batteries

 

[Grim the Viking]

Is the regulator that came with it a mppt.

No a 10amp PWM on the foldable,

 

[wildebus]

For that type of setup, I fit an 50A Anderson Connector to the battery bank on a lead I can tuck away, and the same on the folding panel kit. Then nice quick easy job to connect it up whenever you want.

 

[Grim the Viking]

For that type of setup, I fit an 50A Anderson Connector to the battery bank on a lead I can tuck away, and the same on the folding panel kit. Then nice quick easy job to connect it up whenever you want.

Is that to the 3rd battery terminals? which are easy accessible. I have 50a Anderson connections.

 

[wildebus]

Ideally the batteries should be connected in a balanced manner, but for your purpose I think I would probably do that

 

[Grim the Viking]

Ideally the batteries should be connected in a balanced manner, but for your purpose I think I would probably do that

Brilliant, thanks Wildebus, its just a case of getting power in from the tilted folding panel when the sun is low. Thanks again.

 

[Grim the Viking]

Thanks for the other comments, much appreciated. Regards and Stay Safe All.

 

[Wooie1958]

Is the regulator that came with it a mppt.

Trev, i`ve just gone over to a Victron MPPT, i`m amazed at the extra charge going into the batteries even on dull days when compared to my previous PWM ones

 

[mfw]

Have to say you use a lot of power used to get away with 160w panel - have you thought about led lights - and this is more a question rather than an inquisition - ultimately no-one knows what you are running off your battery

 

[Grim the Viking]

Have to say you use a lot of power used to get away with 160w panel - have you thought about led lights - and this is more a question rather than an inquisition - ultimately no-one knows what you are running off your battery

Ye we do use a lot, tv and sat system on a night, charging phones and tablets, sometimes coffee machine though 1500w inverter and we are all LED. And on top of this I am not sure whether the 3x 100a AGM 2 anhalf year old batteries are holding charge properly.

 

[mfw]

Ye we do use a lot, tv and sat system on a night, charging phones and tablets, sometimes coffee machine though 1500w inverter and we are all LED. And on top of this I am not sure whether the 3x 100a AGM 2 anhalf year old batteries are holding charge properly.

I'm clueless on electrics/solar think wildebus will be your help