So confused

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

I learn by doing. Sometimes this is a painful way to learn. I am having one such experience with building a solar generator.

My plan is to start small so that I can try to get my head around all of this but all I've managed to do is confuse the hell out of myself.

The battery is in a trawling motor box. I have a Battery Tender that I've been using to maintain the battery using 110v.

I have recently acquired a solar panel and a charge controller.

The panel tests OK with a multi meter and the battery works just fine. The problem is that the charge controller only has 3 active wires for the solar and I can't figure out how to connect this damn thing.

green - panel neg
black - battery neg
red - battery AND panel pos

I am at a loss. I feel like I'm just never going to understand any of this.

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

A couple days ago there was a free Kindle ebook "How to Make Solar Panels" that I posted in the "Free ebooks" thread that I think covered all aspects of getting solar power; may want to check if it's still available from Amazon (if not, and you read/take notes quickly; let me know as Amazon allows "lending" to someone for 2 weeks I think)

 

[Gary68]

google the charge controllers make and model and get the instructions

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I've never seen a charge controller that, at a MINIMUM, didn't have two wires in (from the panels)  and two wires out (to the battery).  Gary68 is right, please post the make and model number and lets look for an online manual on it.

 

[rvpopeye]

Are you sure it's not one negative and two positives?

 

[BradKW]

Take a pic and post it

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

This is some of what I've found ...

http://eco-worthy.com/catalog/download/hybridcontroller.pdf

https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-W...F8&qid=1487733426&sr=8-21&keywords=eco+worthy

There seems to be an older and a newer version. I think I have the older version, like in the amazon ad.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Are you sure it's not one negative and two positives?

One + three -

I just don't get it.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

All right, you've got a hybrid controller that will take the output of a wind turbine simultaneously with the output of a solar panel.  The yellow wires are for the wind turbine - ignore that for now.  The blue wire is for the "load" - ignore that totally.  The black wire goes to the negative on the battery, the green wire goes on the negative of the solar panel, and the red wire is hooked up to BOTH the battery AND the solar panel positive.

 

[Trebor English]

The controller I have has separate screws for the positive wires but they are tied together inside. The pwm switching momentarily connects panel minus to battery minus. There is also a load output that has low voltage disconnect and is programmable for number of hours on after sunset. That plus is also tied to the battery plus and panel plus with the load minus controlled by the transistor.

So, mine has six screws. Three are tied together for plusses. The minuses are separate and switched. One for panel, one for battery, one for switched loads.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

I'll give it another shot and post the pics.

I am using two pre-made cables that I otherwise use with the AC version of the charger for this battery.

ring terminal -> clamps (rings to PV and clamps to CC)
clamps -> SAE
SAE -> FUSE -> ring terminal to battery post (this is the SAE that I use to charge via AC)

Do I want or need a fuse between the panel and the charge controller?

This is a small unit. 40 watt panel. 40Ah AGM. Battery Tender with accompanying cables (see above). I also have 2 small inverters. I'm looking to make this work then build it out more robustly. This is meant to be portable in the long run. In the short term I am working to collect the tools and skills I will need to build my larger system. For instance I am planning my wiring harness and might as well invest in a decent fused panel now even if all I do is run to a few LED's.

Any suggestions on cables or other specifics would be appreciated.

All internal rig wiring will planned with a much larger system in mind.

 

[Trebor English]

The maximum the panel can put out is on the label.  Isc is the short circuit current.  If you short it out and take it to the Andes mountains at the equator on March 21 it will not exceed that amount.  If your wire size is too small for that you need a fuse. Your wire will be big enough to reduce resistive voltage drop making the wire capabale of a lot more than the panel can produce.

No, no fuse at the panel.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Today we mourn the loss of a fine 7.5amp fuse. It was a brave fuse and gave it's life to save other "more precious" equipment. <sniff>

Replaced. Solar panel successfully charging battery.

Took off the padding and put the wood panel back up for an electrical board.

And the beginings of my internal cable bundle. Cat6? Why? Why not.

 

[Cosmo]

I just made this video. I hope it helps.