I Feel like a newbie, don't laugh.....

[Les H]

at me! I just finished installing my HF 45 w solar system. Ok, really, that's not the funny part... I have been using it as a " portable" system. Drive to where I'm going, unpack the panels, wire them to the controlled, and aim em at the sun. Works ok for weekend jaunts, or stays where they might get damaged by low branches. Today, I permanently mounted them to the roof, drilled a hole for the wires ( with rubber grommets) routed the wires in the black plastic corrugated loom, a 30 amp cut off switch ( panels rated for max output of 27 amps) and used serious copper terminal ends, all while the thermometer read 99 with heat index at 107. My question?
While driving, I have to have the panels switched off, right? I already have a lead comming from the starting battery with a 40 amp circuit breaker to charge the house battery while driving ( soon to be a continuous duty soloniod) This, too , has a cut off switch to separate it from the starting battery. So, drive to where I'm going charging through the Alt, stop, shut off Alt feed, turn on solar panel, continue charging. If the panels are on AND the Alt is charging, it'll overcharge the battery? I know, I know, a real basic one, but I want to be sure. I only have
I Wally 125 Ah house battery, and can't really afford to upgrade to Trojans right now ($99 ea at the golfcart store in town) so don't want to fry it.
And to those of you who say it ain't so with out pics,
Here ya go! ( just to the front of the roof vent)
Thanks!

Les

 

[Guest]

Hi Les....I just have a solar controller in line from the panels and it has the ability to only charge til the batteries are full. Your voltage regulator in the vehicle also has the ability to sense when the batteries are full and not overcharge your batteries. <br><br>My CU solenoid is the only switch in the system....it cuts the house battery off from the starter battery when there is no power to it.<br>Not laughing....these things can be confusing....<br>Bri<br>

 

[Simran]

Les,<br>That's the first close-up I've seen of that bus- I like it. Congrats on the solar install . . .I'm right behind you on this one.<br><br>gus<br>

 

[sl1966]

Don't even give it a second thought Les. We've all done something along these lines.&nbsp;<div><br></div>

 

[Les H]

Thanks guys. I had this whole long post, but the phone blinked out and ate it..<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">.
Thanks Gus , I have interior pics, but it's kinda messy, but will give you an idea. It's Definatly a project in the works.
Steve- do what?!?<img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">