Solar panel fuse
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 14:47
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Member - extfilm (NSW)
Hi All,
Just hooking up the wiring to the Solar panel and am wondering what size fuse I need to put in. Am hooking it in Paralell to the second battery. It is a BP Solar 80 watt.....
Thanks
Peter
Reply By: Haza - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 14:54
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 14:54
Less then the Amp rating of the wire you have used.
AnswerID:
396959
Reply By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 15:01
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 15:01
Peter, I'm no expert but I know 80w panels generate up to about 5amps. So perhaps 10amp fuse ok. Cheers
AnswerID:
396961
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 15:06
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 15:06
Hi,
Best to have a fuse (10A would be good) right at the battery - capable of taking what the panel can provide, but blow quickly to stop current from the battery if there is a short. The panel will never supply a damaging current so needn't be fused.
With an 80W panel, a controller is really required too to prevent overcharging. That controller should be close to the battery on the panel side of the fuse.
HTH
John
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Follow Up By: Member - extfilm (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 15:12
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 15:12
Thanks John, Limited space under the bonnet so I have fitted the regulator on the panel...... But am using 6mm wire I think it is.
Peter
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 17:38
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 17:38
Sounds good Peter though having the regulator close to the battery is better, since that way any losses in the wiring don't affect charging. Provided it's not too long, shouldn't be an issue with heavy cable. It would be interesting to measure the voltage drop along your cable.
Cheers
John
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Reply By: paulnsw - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 20:19
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 20:19
you dont have any fuse on a solar panel
fuse on solar panel is unnecessary and does nothing
AnswerID:
396993
Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 21:58
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 21:58
Hi
A pretty dangerous situation ,if a short occurs in the wiring with no fuse The cable itself would end up being the fuse.
Nasty thing to have happen
ALL PANELS [& wiring] SHOULD HAVE A FUSE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE BATTERY
For two 80w panel you only needa10amp to carry their max output but the fuse will give some voltage drop ,so use a fuse alittle smaller than cable rating
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Follow Up By: paulnsw - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 22:09
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 22:09
oldtrack123 you obviously know nothing about solar panels
unqualified comments are always dangerous in public forums
so what if there is a short in 80w solar panel wire. what do you think is going to happen NOTHING.
fuses are extra trouble corrosion potential voltage dropping connections
FollowupID:
665755
Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 22:16
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 22:16
Let's qualify that a bit.
You don't need a fuse between the panel and the controller.
You need a fuse between the controller and the battery close to the battery.
If you don't have a controller (not smart with a 80w panel), then you need a fuse between the panel and battery close to the battery.
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