no no no!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
OK, thanks for clarifying.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.
Male female kettle/ computer lead any good for 6amps
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.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.
Why bodge when doing it properly is so cheap and easy?Male female kettle/ computer lead any good for 6amps
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.
I've used both of those products and I much prefer the 50A type. Really good.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.
One comment... I find the connectors are not very amenable to crimping, especially with smaller gauge cable
Correct , as long as you use a calibrated meter not a cheapy from halfords or AldiI 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