CAMP OVEN COOKING AND CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA CHAT FORUMS - Electronics Upgrade On The Motorhome

Reply #70 - Sep 18^th, 2023 at 3:20pm

Derek Offline
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jclures wrote on Sep 18^th, 2023 at 1:01pm:

I wonder how many have changed the pass word?

Not a lot John. Grin

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Reply #71 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 3:58pm

Derek Offline
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Here is an interesting bit. I always thought I should have been getting more amps come out of my MPPT Solar Controller. It seemed as though there was some sort of resistance preventing full power.

I had been over and over it with a multimeter and come to the conclusion that the 40 amp manual resettable circuit breaker (photo 1) in the line between the solar panels and the controller could be the problem. No scientific analysis just a gut feeling. I used this type of breaker as I it allows me to turn the solar off if I want to work on the system.

So when we were at Albany I removed it completely.

Today is first day since on solar and we have had complete cloud coverage right from daylight and when I looked at the system the battery was receiving a couple of amps charge even with the cloud. Battery was at 82% SOC.

Just got home from a look around Broomehill and surprised at midday to find that I am at 100% SOC and still 6 amps topping up.

I think I have found the issue. Just need now to find an alternate to the circuit breaker.

Can’t wait to see how it performs in full sun.

I may not have needed the solar blanket after all.

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IMG_0910.jpeg (65 KB | 1 )

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Reply #72 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:25pm

jclures Offline
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I have always used these as my CB in my system (link just the example), I also have a solar master switch to switch the panels of completely.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/232672967255?epid=5022989110&hash=item362c63ba57:g:L...
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385008327938?hash=item59a448dd02:g:idAAAOSwd9Bi0Rpc&...

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Reply #73 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:27pm

jclures Offline
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I have also used this type of switch as well.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/154506030241?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111000...

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Reply #74 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:44pm

Derek Offline
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jclures wrote on Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:27pm:

I have also used this type of switch as well.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/154506030241?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111000...

John, I have one of these on my main battery cable as an isolator.

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Reply #75 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:45pm

jclures Offline
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You could use this type of fuse as well.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323839888293?hash=item4b665c8ba5:g:O4cAAOSwJqBdDIjX

With this holder.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323812849481?hash=item4b64bff749:g:eE8AAOSwWM1c46Rm

I also have these CB on both of my batteries, at the same amperage as the battery BMS amperage.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/325257667236?var=514144171366

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Reply #76 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:45pm

Derek Offline
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jclures wrote on Sep 20^th, 2023 at 8:25pm:

I have always used these as my CB in my system (link just the example), I also have a solar master switch to switch the panels of completely.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/232672967255?epid=5022989110&hash=item362c63ba57:g:L...
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385008327938?hash=item59a448dd02:g:idAAAOSwd9Bi0Rpc&...

I have those auto resettable fuses on all my lines in and out of the chargers.

I do like that switch though. Might be the answer for the solar cable.

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Reply #77 - Sep 20^th, 2023 at 9:00pm

jclures Offline
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I know the experts tell me you need protection on the solar side, but I think just being able to switch the panels off before the solar charge controller is more important.

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Reply #78 - Sep 23^rd, 2023 at 7:53am

jclures Offline
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How is the solar working without the circuit breaker?

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Reply #79 - Sep 23^rd, 2023 at 8:31am

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jclures wrote on Sep 20^th, 2023 at 9:00pm:

I know the experts tell me you need protection on the solar side, but I think just being able to switch the panels off before the solar charge controller is more important.

Why not both?

Derek's issue notwithstanding, there *should* be close to zero voltage drop/loss across a switch or circuit breaker.

Assuming the circuit breaker doesn't have a manual method of opening the circuit an isolator switch makes sense to me. If it can be made to open then you already have a switch.

I would install them both in a fashion where they could be linked out easily when on the road to bypass a single point of failure.

Colin

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