Solar Panel Question

[rderito]

Hi. I couldn't find an answer to this question...
Can you leave Solar Panels in the sun all day not connected to the batteries or not connected to the charge controller ? I know they still will put out voltage but is it just suspended or do you need some sort of load on them?
Thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

yes you can leave them like that. just don't hook them up to the controller. highdesertranger

 

[rderito]

OK thanks for the help.
How about leaving your solar system at idol, Panels connected to MPPT controller and connected to fully charged batteries with no load connected ?
What would the CC do with the current ?

 

[tx2sturgis]

The controller is called a controller, because it controls the situation.

There is no excess current. 

It will 'throttle back', or control, current delivered to the batteries, if no load is applied.

The batteries will remain fully charged, and won't overcharge, assuming the panels have daily sunlight and the batteries are in good shape.

 

[Weight]

If you are going to leave it for more than a few months, you may be better served lowering the voltage settings on the controller. battery can be over charged if left long term.

 

[John61CT]

I would rather charge the bank

to true 100% Full

for 24 hours every 3-5 weeks.

I would **really** need to trust the SC manufacturer to just leave it going unattended.

Assuming an expensive bank, if just cheap old batts then who cares.

 

[rderito]

I understand what you mean now, and I wont leave the system connected and unattended for long periods at a time.
thank you all for sharing your knowledge.

 

[tx2sturgis]

If you are going to leave it for more than a few months, you may be better served lowering the voltage settings on the controller. battery can be over charged if left long term.

This is a good point, don't just store them for long periods hooked up to a charger without checking them every 2 weeks to a month or so.

You can float normal flooded lead acid 12v batteries at 13.2v-13.6v almost indefinitely, but checking water levels now and then is still a good idea.

And then there is the possibility of equalization, or de-stratification, or boost, phase that some chargers apply periodically.