Auto switch from shoreline to battery system...

[John61CT]

The proper high-end units give you the wiring diagram, and other than plugging in and turning on, you're all set.

In fact since often the inhouse inverted AC may be capable of delivering more power than what shore provides, some will concurrently auto-switch and combine sources as high loads require that, then get back to chargeDC+passthroughAC when loads decline.

See Victron and Mastervolt, Redarc in Australia, I'm sure this is pretty standard stuff at the high end.

Don't buy Xantrex unless you agree with them that stuff under thousands is disposable, lousy service channel support.

 

[29chico]

I suppose the simplest solution to panel vs charger is just crank up voltage to wide open on charger and run it through the charge controller as if it's a big panel array.

Yes, simple in theory.  I have considered doing that myself.  However, since neither the charger or charge controller are intended to be used in the manner you suggest, problems may result.  I would think that testing outdoors away from anything flammable may be wise.

 

[jonsun]

Yes, simple in theory.  I have considered doing that myself.  However, since neither the charger or charge controller are intended to be used in the manner you suggest, problems may result.  I would think that testing outdoors away from anything flammable may be wise.

maybe. It'd would be worth contacting customer support first. But 15v @ 30A whether from a panel or charger is all the same. The controller should force the charger to stay in bulk mode I would think. I don't think that's a problem because people charge large banks for long periods all the time.

 

[galladanb]

Much mulling time required...

So...?

Bardo -
two solutions



manually plug and unplug solar panel when you hook to shore power

SO really, If I installed a switch between the controller output and the batteries, I could throw that and cut out the solar charging when going to shore power?
Seems like it would isolate the solar from the batteries and  the AC charger would not know the solar was there....
Does that make any sense? Any problems to be foreseen with that?

or



run the output of the battery charger (the meanwell HEP-600c) to the solar charge controller instead of the battery as if it were a large panel. so plug it into the solar panel port of the charge controller. You can only do that with a charger that outputs more than ~15v

Yeah, I think I will NOT do this... I'm not sure this would be a good idea for me, LOL!!!

 

[jonsun]

I will be ordering that charger and wiring through the controller.

but if you put a switch on the solar side you have to do it on the panel run to the controller, NOT to the battery. You always hook a controller up battery first or the current from the panel with nowhere to go can do damage to the controller.

a third way is there might be some fancy shunt system to auto disconnect the solar

 

[galladanb]

I will be ordering that charger and wiring through the controller.

but if you put a switch on the solar side you have to do it on the panel run to the controller, NOT to the battery. You always hook a controller up battery first or the current from the panel with nowhere to go can do damage to the controller.

a third way is there might be some fancy shunt system to auto disconnect the solar

So by putting a switch on the panel to controller side, it would make the solar "Go Away" and it would not be a bother to the AC Charger system?
Is that right?

Really, THANK YOU for your help!!!!!

 

[jonsun]

yeah

with the charger through the controller you would put a fuse inline and use a morningstar TS-45 that can handle over current. that happens with wind power and why most controllers cannot handle it. the TS-45/60 CAN that's why it has the heat sink and diversion load.

Mine would be for bulk charging from a generator only for 1-2hrs at day.

 

[ccbreder]

This is after lunch so I did not read through the thread. Sorry. I have a ProNauticP charger with a setting for PS (Power supply). When I plug into 120 volt, my generator or shore line, it charges battery, reduced by the DC draw I am using. That is as automatic as you need. The solar charges when the sun shines, and it doesn't think about it or care much. Then I have a separate inverter that doesn't care where the current is originated, only that it is within voltage range.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

With a simple, inexpensive relay, you could have the solar panels disconnect whenever the relay sees AC current:

https://www.amazon.com/Enclosed-AC-...=UTF8&qid=1486236539&sr=1-1&keywords=ac+relay

 

[jonsun]

This is after lunch so I did not read through the thread. Sorry. I have a ProNauticP charger with a setting for PS (Power supply). When I plug into 120 volt, my generator or shore line, it charges battery, reduced by the DC draw I am using. That is as automatic as you need. The solar charges when the sun shines, and it doesn't think about it or care much. Then I have a separate inverter that doesn't care where the current is originated, only that it is within voltage range.

can you prove it? Because I dont know of a charger or solar controller that would see 13v+ at the battery and not go into float.

 

[galladanb]

With a simple, inexpensive relay, you could have the solar panels disconnect whenever the relay sees AC current:

https://www.amazon.com/Enclosed-AC-...=UTF8&qid=1486236539&sr=1-1&keywords=ac+relay

HI JOHN, Thx for the tip!

To be clear here, I would use this device to turn off the solar when it senses AC from the shore line?

The panels would go thru the NO or Normally Open side? and when the device see AC current, it switches the NO to closed or NC?
And there would not be anything wired up to the NC posts. RIGHT???

Is there any chance of feedback to the panels if it fails or any way for it to send AC to the panels by mistake????

I dont want to risk frying the panels simply because I did not throw a switch somewhere... Or being lazy or cheap???

 

[jonsun]

panels have diodes that make sure current only goes on way

 

[galladanb]

Cool! Sounds like a plan to me...
I added the device to my shopping list!

 

[jonsun]

nice little solution!

 

[wayne49]

I have the shoreline plug feed a switchable power strip.

The converter/charger is connected to the power strip.

I only turn the power strip on after plugging into a AC power source.

Reverse when disconnecting.

I tried to design a setup that would auto switch when shore power was live, but it is too complicated.

I was going to have the appliance AC side be either inverter or shore without having to move plugs around.

Sometimes doing a thing manually is the simplest and easiest way.

 

[galladanb]

I have the shoreline plug feed a switchable power strip.

The converter/charger is connected to the power strip.

I only turn the power strip on after plugging into a AC power source.

Reverse when disconnecting.

I tried to design a setup that would auto switch when shore power was live, but it is too complicated.

I was going to have the appliance AC side be either inverter or shore without having to move plugs around.

Sometimes doing a thing manually is the simplest and easiest way.

THX! That actually makes sense! Plug all of the AC outlets into the strip, and the battery charger...

Use the device we talked about above to disconnect the panels, only have it BEFORE the strip, so that it is not switched, but always see AC power...? Right?

Plug into the shore line, Panels go off and the AC outlets are hot! Unplug from the shore line, the panels become active, Plug into the inverter, All AC outlets are hot!
Ingenious!!! Sounds too easy... Am I missing something? LOL!

 

[John61CT]

can you prove it? Because I dont know of a charger or solar controller that would see 13v+ at the battery and not go into float.

I thought not only bank-type select, but user-programmable custom charging setpoints was getting pretty common these days? I know Victron, surely Morningstar?

Else how could they handle different bank chemistries?

 

[jonsun]

They are but based on battery voltage where each phase kicks in and what voltage it sends. But with two going both end up believing battery is full.

 

[John61CT]

yes of course thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

you never need to turn the solar off. it can stay plugged in 24/7. highdesertranger