Solar Panel Regulator

G,day to all

My old faithful Sun-tech 80 watt solar set up let me down two weeks ago on a beach, after couple of days the engel stopped working (Beer went warm) and I worked out the panel was not putting out any amps.

Quick check showed it was the regulator, so straight onto ebay and a new regulator was bought.

The old regulator was simply a box with two wires coming out with two alligator clips for connecting straight to the battery, no lights or charge indicators etc.

Now this new regulator has the following warning "Damage will occur if the battery is not connected prior to the panel being activated" Does this mean I would have to unfold the panel in the dark connect up the battery clips and then hey presto put the panel in the sun (Okay over the top but you know what i mean)

It also has two connections for a power output from the regulator (Load) does this mean it can run low amp gadgets whilst it is on.

thanks