Electrical Connection Question

[BobBski]

Looking for a good quality plug/connector type that would enable a permanent direct to battery pos/neg line to Connect a charge controller when using solar and be able to unplug it and plug in a battery charger when generator/shore power are  used.
 
OR...is it safe to have both a charge controller and battery charger direct wired to battery as long as both are not used at the same time?

OR....is it safe to use both simultaneously....battery charger off generator and charge controller off of panels?

Thanks in advance, have a great day.

 

[ccbreder]

You can have both connected together to the battery.

 

[LoupGarou]

Connect them both to the battery via buss bars.

 

[blars]

Connecting them both is fine. Chargers will be confused when there is a load or other charging source active at the same time, converter/chargers are designed for load at the same time but still can be confused by an active charging source.

Anderson Powerpole connectors are good, get them rated for the current and wire size needed. The 15, 30, and 45 amp ones mate with each other, the larger ones don't. You may need to get or borrow a special crimp tool.

 

[SternWake]

One can get 10awg wire into 45 amp anderson powerpoles, but crimping these properly is difficult without their special crimper, or unless one has good crimping skills.


I can get 8awg into 45 amp powerpoles, but I need to destrand the end to 10awg thickness and manpulate the insulation to get it to 'click' in the plastic housing.

Multiple charging sources can be used together.  When they battery gets in the ~80%+, and voltages are up in the 14.4 range, one charging source or the other will decide to drop out.

At this point the battery is usually not able to accept as much current so only one source is required to hold absorption voltage.  

My solar often contributes to my alternator's output, and my plug in charging source often works together with the solar too.  It depends on the voltage the charging source is seeking, and actual battery voltage.

No need to disconnect one charging source when another is running.

 

[BobBski]

Thanks for the great feedback everybody....was concerned about the interaction between charge controller and battery charger. Sounds like Anderson Powerpoles are the way to go. Thanks again

 

[highdesertranger]

I think the important point is you don't need to disconnect anything. highdesertranger