Solar charging... Can I disconnect the battery

Psmiffy
Psmiffy Forum Participant Posts: 26
edited January 2023 in Caravans #1

I've recently purchased a van with a 10 amp solar panel on the roof and it seems to be doing its job of keeping the battery topped up. My question is...if I wanted to disconnect the battery for any reason, can I just do it as long as I don't short the neg/pos leads together. If the panel is generating power but it has nowhere to go (ie no battery) would that a problem?  I've looked at the manual online but it doesn't seem to cover the question. Your thoughts folks? Cheers.                                                                                      Paul 

 

 

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2023 #2

    Most people disconnect the SP or cover it to prevent it pumping out power.

  • Psmiffy
    Psmiffy Forum Participant Posts: 26
    edited January 2023 #3

    Thanks for getting back.The thing I dont get, and it may be just me, is if I disconnect the panel from the control box the disconnected wires will I assume, still be producing power from the panel, with nowhere to go. I do get the throw a cover over the panel bit though. I was thinking of bringing the battery home when the van is in storage, as a backup in case of power outages over winter.I suppose I would have to make a fixed lightproof cover that wouldn't blow away.

     

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2023 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2023 #5

    If the SP is not connected, that is there is no circuit then it cannot 'generate' any electricity, All a SP does is convert photons into electrons, if there is no circuit those electrons cannot 'flow' or transfer their charge and hence no electricity.

    Those electrons will stay there and all that will happen is that the SP will have a increase in temperature by a few degrees if that before this heat is given to the air at some point sooner or later (and funnily enough it will get 'heavier') but this would also happen when it's in use and is nothing to worry about at all, or if it does for you cover it.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2023 #6

    The solar controller requires a battery to be connected before the panels, so that it can identify the voltage of the battery. A circuit breaker like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/UTSAUTO-Resettable-Inverter-Automotive-Protection/dp/B08J6HKDQ7/ref=pd_rhf_d_se_s_pd_sbs_rvi_sccl_2_5/257-9988048-8214529?pd_rd_w=qCyDn&content-id=amzn1.sym.0963df7f-7cea-4859-a393-2a2c2885a717&pf_rd_p=0963df7f-7cea-4859-a393-2a2c2885a717&pf_rd_r=C005YC8HKGV33V0Z6ZJS&pd_rd_wg=A0c63&pd_rd_r=559ebfc3-d4e0-418b-bf8e-402b4583c57d&pd_rd_i=B08J6HKDQ7&psc=1 makes it an easy job.

  • Psmiffy
    Psmiffy Forum Participant Posts: 26
    edited January 2023 #7

    Thanks for the detailed replies, looks like I was worrying  unnecesserily, but better safe than sorry. I had the idea that it would go into meltdown like a runaway power station. Thanks again. 

     

  • birdseye
    birdseye Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited February 2023 #8

     Please help!

    Is there any reason NOT to install a solar panel across the roof of my caravan( Left to Right), most I see are along the roof front to back!  I am replacing a delaminated flexible one with a rigid framed one, across would allow me to fit a bigger panel.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
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    edited February 2023 #9

    No reason at all, go for it.

    peedee

  • birdseye
    birdseye Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited February 2023 #10

    THANK YOU! PEEDEE,  I'm grateful for your advice.

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