Solar Regulator/Controller.
Submitted: Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 23:48
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Member - Roger B (VIC)
Not sure if this is a dumb question or not, but should a solar regulator be installed nearer to the battery or nearer to the solar panel, or does it make little difference? Hope one of you blokes can throw some light on this for me. Cheers.
Roger B......
Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 00:36
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 00:36
Solar regulators regulate the voltage and current flow from the panels to the battery...therefore in theory the closer to the battery the more accurate the regulators assessment and controlling
Having said that..... whether or not the controller is too far from the battery is relevant to the size cable used...if cable is too small you may some issues with volt drop and innaccuracies in battery management / regulation............correct size cable will overcome this........regardless of position
.....horses for courses as they say...rule of thumb is nearest the battery but not set in stone if the system is designed correctly
just visualise the water and hose pipe diameter example........the longer the hose and the smaller the diameter the less flow at the other end........pipe size = cable size. water = volts. pressure = current (amps)
AnswerID:
308933
Follow Up By: Member - Roger B (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 21:54
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 21:54
Thanks for that. All points taken. Cheers.
Roger.....
FollowupID:
575141
Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 00:36
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 00:36
Solar regulators regulate the voltage and current flow from the panels to the battery...therefore in theory the closer to the battery the more accurate the regulators assessment and controlling
Having said that..... whether or not the controller is too far from the battery is relevant to the size cable used...if cable is too small you may some issues with volt drop and innaccuracies in battery management / regulation............correct size cable will overcome this........regardless of position
.....horses for courses as they say...rule of thumb is nearest the battery but not set in stone if the system is designed correctly
just visualise the water and hose pipe diameter example........the longer the hose and the smaller the diameter the less flow at the other end........pipe size = cable size. water = volts. pressure = current (amps)
AnswerID:
308934
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 00:55
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 00:55
There are some models of both solar regulators and battery chargers that have extra wires from the battery that are used to sense any voltage drop in the supply cables. These can be located further from the battery but even with these chargers it still pays to locate them fairly close to the battery.
PeterD
AnswerID:
308936
Reply By: Mainey (wa) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 09:17
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 09:17
Roger,
Does your Solar regulator also manage the current to your accessories??
Mainey . . .
AnswerID:
308961
Follow Up By: Member - Roger B (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 22:05
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 22:05
Thanks Mainey. It does. But I won't be using that facility. I'm only wanting to keep a battery charged. It's only used to operate a 15" LCD TVthat draws only 45W, on odd occasions. Not even for lighting.Thanks a lot for all the info on your profile. That'll give me a bit ti think about,
Cheers. Roger B...........
FollowupID:
575145
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 23:35
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 23:35
Roger,
the benefit of those regulators that have the accessories controller is they can manage the current 'in' and also 'out' of the battery system.
They usually have a low battery cut-out switch also, so you don't destroy the battery by over discharging it when the power is not being replenished by the solar panel.
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
575163