Solar to battery connection.

Am I understanding this correctly, that it's OK to connect directly (via a fuse) to the battery without going via a controller? So I could supplement the input from my rooftop panel which goes via the mppt controller with a portable panel? That would be useful at this time of year as the angle of the sun gets lower
no no no!
The portable panel that the OP is talking about, and the one that I referred to is a Panel kit that also includes an MPPT Solar Controller (I see I didn't make that part clear in my post! sorry). So the leads you get with these are designed to go to the battery. as they are the outputs from the Controller, not the actual panel. You should NEVER connect a normal Panel direct to a battery - the voltage is much too high and will damage it.

FWIW, this is the panel I bought on behalf of a customer - https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...-solar-charging-kit-with-MPPT-controller.html
Not tried it, but nicely packaged.

What you will hopefully find is that any portable panel WITHOUT a controller should never have croc clips as they are never to be connected to a battery direct. If they have croc clips it should mean it is suitable for a battery and so have a controller as part of the kit.
 
no no no!
The portable panel that the OP is talking about, and the one that I referred to is a Panel kit that also includes an MPPT Solar Controller (I see I didn't make that part clear in my post! sorry). So the leads you get with these are designed to go to the battery. as they are the outputs from the Controller, not the actual panel. You should NEVER connect a normal Panel direct to a battery - the voltage is much too high and will damage it.

FWIW, this is the panel I bought on behalf of a customer - https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...-solar-charging-kit-with-MPPT-controller.html
Not tried it, but nicely packaged.
OK, thanks for clarifying.
 
At 12V? A bit of a no-no, because someone will do something stupid and plug it in to 240V somehow.

Also, it's a 13A AC rating, so I wouldn't know what it'll take DC. It's usually different.
13A @ 240V RMS AC or 3kW of power, so it should physically handle 6A @ 12V DC. However, I too question the wisdom of using an AC standard connector for DC use as that makes it possible to inadvertently connect 240V to a 12V system.
 
Always ask an expert.
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For the 30A sort, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powerpole-Quick-Connect-Battery-Connectors/dp/B07H81ZSNS
though I prefer the 50A ones: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Connector-Connection-Anderson-powerpole/dp/B086YC5QHP
I bought a load of them at a very good price, the link is just to the product, not to the best place to buy it.
I've used both of those products and I much prefer the 50A type. Really good.
One comment... I find the connectors are not very amenable to crimping, especially with smaller gauge cable (max size is 16mm2, BTW) and for those I usually solder (use plumbers solder and a blowtorch rather than electric due to size)
 
One comment... I find the connectors are not very amenable to crimping, especially with smaller gauge cable

I seem to remember when I bought them (30a) ages ago, the seller had an option of what size cable you were using. Agree that solder is always better though
 
I suggest that you check this, using a proper meter connected in series with the solar controller. Then you'd know what the actual current draw is.
The results reported from battery monitors often seem to be pushing the bounds of credibility.
Correct , as long as you use a calibrated meter not a cheapy from halfords or Aldi
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys, just got to decide whether it's the Hella or the Anderson now!
 

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