One way diode for solar charging

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:39
ThreadID: 102540 Views:1755 Replies:5 FollowUps:3
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Hi everyone,
This might be a silly question, I do think it does have merit.

Have fitted 160 watt solar panels to the van supplying 2 x 105 amp hour Gel batteries.
Question should I have a one way diode fitted to the supply line to batteries to eliminate charge to going back into the panels at night from the batteries.
If so what type and were would you locate this diode.

By the way the regulator is a MPPT located near batteries.

Thank you for your input.

Allan and Andrea
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Reply By: sam h6 - Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:51

Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:51
No the MPPT should take care of that.
AnswerID: 512328

Reply By: wombat100 - Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:51

Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:51
I think you will find the controller should have a diode installed.


AnswerID: 512329

Reply By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:51

Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 18:51
Are you sure it doesn't already have one Allan- most do !
Robin Miller

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AnswerID: 512330

Follow Up By: Member - Allan H (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 19:05

Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 19:05
Hi Robin thanks for your reply

I couldn't be sure, there is none in the supply line, unless the regulator has one inbuilt like the above comments have suggested.

Regards
Allan
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Reply By: Member - Allan H (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 19:07

Saturday, Jun 01, 2013 at 19:07
Thank you everyone for your replies.

Allan and Andrea
AnswerID: 512332

Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Sunday, Jun 02, 2013 at 19:45

Sunday, Jun 02, 2013 at 19:45
just to divert slightly( being ex PMG/Telstra Tech.)..........
" one way diode " is somewhat of an oxymoron. A diode by design is a one way device. If it was a 2 way device it would be a resistor(not a diode)................sorry couldnt resist
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FollowupID: 790738

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Jun 03, 2013 at 07:30

Monday, Jun 03, 2013 at 07:30
It could be a Zener Diode.
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FollowupID: 790778

Reply By: KenInPerth - Sunday, Jun 02, 2013 at 20:45

Sunday, Jun 02, 2013 at 20:45
Allan

The MPPT controller takes care of all this - in a somewhat more sophisticated way than a simple diode.

The only time you would generally (in this case) use a diode is if you were connecting the panels directly to the batteries or trying to isolate the panels from something else that was directly connected to the same point (eg a second charge source).

Ken
AnswerID: 512401

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