Hi, I've been searching the net for an answer but I can't find it. Bit complicated. Recently purchased 2 new 110ah batteries and 320w solar panels to charge them, so we can charge them when we decide to go off grid. I've installed my new batteries, attached the batteries together, added a new fuse box which I've wired up 5 new 12v sockets to, which I've placed around the van. I've attached the batteries to my solar panel regulator, the new fuse box and the original fuse box are safely connected and attached also to the regulator and I'm still yet to install and wire my panels up.
So that's where I am at the moment. I do have a concern though with my 240v mains electric hook up. Now we will, now and agian still want to use this at some sites. My question is i can see the 240v supply is eventually connected to the original fuse box which was attached to the battery but as I mentioned it is now connected to the load output on the regulator.
Now i know my panels should power enough to charge my batteries up in a full day as we most likely not going to be using that much power from them, I've changed every bulb to 0.1amp led from the original 1.6amp that was in there, so my lighting isn't going to drain power. It's only our phone and tablet chargers and my laptop which I have a 12v lead which draws 5.5amps and that's it really apart from water pump
So back to my problem, what happens if my panels fail me some how and I want to charge my batteries using the main hook up.
As I said its wired up to my original fuse box which is now connected to the load output on my regulator. What will happen if I attach my caravan to the mains now. I can only think off 3 options.
Option 1
Everything is fine. Power will travel through the load output and back though the battery connection on the regulator and charge my batteries.
Option 2
Nothing will happen. No power will go to the batteries from it.
Option 3
BANG
Would like option 1 to work. Now if this isn't the case then I am planning on disconnecting the wires of the 240v from the original fuse box and attach directly to one of the batteries using a inline fuse, just I don't want to go to that effort if I don't need to.
I've tested mine with the factory fitted charger on and the solar regulator still connected to see what happened and the solar regulator just shows battery at 100%, the voltage is displayed at 13.8v and charging current drops to zero on the regulator display. So in my case everything is ok. I'd have thought most regulators will just stop charging when they sense the battery voltage suddenly jump up.
My regulator is the Stecca 3030.
I've took your advice and plugged into the mains, the battery life was at 72% to start with and was going up literally 1% a second all the way to 100%. Once it flashed saying 100%, I then unplugged it and it slowly again went back down to 72%.
I then tried it again leaving it plugged in to actually see if it will charge it. Left it for half hour and then unplugged it, it did go down but stayed at 86%.
Thank you fleck2 for the advice. Knowing you plugged yours in with no problems gave me the courage to plug mine in
My panel is free standing so I wouldn't usually have it connected and the EHU on too anyway. When I disconnect the solar regulator from the battery it doesn't like it and instantly gives a fault code. An open circuit solar panel voltage will go up to about 19v so that might damage some regulators. It also fault codes after a few minutes if I disconnect the solar panel.
I think what I would do in your case is put an adequately rated double pole switch in the positive in and out on the solar regulator just so the solar side can be isolated when you're on EHU. It also is handy for when the microchip crashes in the regulator you can easily reset it.
Quote: Originally posted by fleck2 on 27/7/2015
My panel is free standing so I wouldn't usually have it connected and the EHU on too anyway. When I disconnect the solar regulator from the battery it doesn't like it and instantly gives a fault code. An open circuit solar panel voltage will go up to about 19v so that might damage some regulators. It also fault codes after a few minutes if I disconnect the solar panel.
I think what I would do in your case is put an adequately rated double pole switch in the positive in and out on the solar regulator just so the solar side can be isolated when you're on EHU. It also is handy for when the microchip crashes in the regulator you can easily reset it.
Or a change over switch so you can either one or the other and never both....
Ok, sorry new to this, so your saying I should disconnect the mains from the fuse box and attach that and the solar panels wiring to a change over switch and the connect that to the solar income on the regulator
No I don't think so, but Andys link doesn't work. He was saying I think use a double throw switch to disconnect the solar regulator from the battery and connect the mains charger, in one 'throw' of the switch.
But this would leave the solar regulator still connected to the panel so I think my idea was better.
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Topic: solar panel control panel. 240v input?
