I have two 100Ahr batteries in the van and a 120W solar panel on the roof feeding through a 30A regulator. The van has a Setec ST35-11 power supply unit.
I what to be able to connect my 120W portable solar panel with regulator to the van batteries. Can this be done by simply connecting the panel directly to the batteries or does it have to be connected via the vans solar regulator or via the Setec power supply?
Phillipn said
12:22 PM Dec 9, 2014
Gus
Does the portable panel have a regulator? If it has, then you can connect the portable panel to the battery. If not then you need to connect it through the regulator in the van.
Connecting a panel without a regulator to the battery will cook the battery.
Treecrest14 said
01:29 PM Dec 9, 2014
Gday Gus
As the portable panel has a regulator, then OK to connect the regulator to the battery. I see you have 2 batteries, so have you connected the +'s and the -'s? If yes, I was told to connect my portable solar to the + of one battery and the - of the other. The more knowledgable will tell us why this is the better arrangement...
Glen
meetoo said
09:56 PM Dec 9, 2014
Treecrest14 wrote:
I was told to connect my portable solar to the + of one battery and the - of the other. The more knowledgable will tell us why this is the better arrangement... Glen
Please do. Thanks,
Cheers, John
Gus1949 said
09:37 AM Dec 10, 2014
Hi Glen,
I agree, pos+ one battery neg- the other.
Panel has a regulator although I may bypass this and place a regulator near the batteries to minimis voltage drop.
Gus
Jaahn said
09:49 AM Dec 10, 2014
Gus1949 wrote:
Hi Glen,
I agree, pos+ one battery neg- the other.
Panel has a regulator although I may bypass this and place a regulator near the batteries to minimis voltage drop.
Gus
Hi Gus,
Not a good idea to have two regulators. They might be set up differently and not work together well. The other30a reg has plenty of capacity so wire the portable panel through that in parallel. Wire in a 12v socket in a good accessible spot and put a plug on the lead from the portable panel.
Cheers jaahn.
Gus1949 said
03:12 PM Dec 10, 2014
Hi Jaahn
I thought there may be a problem using two regulators, I was just trying to avoid putting the portable panel thru the vans regulator because of the stupid place it has been installed.
Rowan /Gus1949
Sharke said
10:50 PM Dec 10, 2014
the St35 has an alternative option for powering of the load and float by solar panels with regulator charging of batteries when mains voltages are not present. This input is to be powered by a solar panels fitted with external regulator. Your existing roof panel should be connected to this. I think you may have problems if using 240 volt if you do not go though the st35 as it will also be trying to controll load & float. maybe some one with a little more knowledge may be able to clarify
Cheers
Jeff
I have two 100Ahr batteries in the van and a 120W solar panel on the roof feeding through a 30A regulator. The van has a Setec ST35-11 power supply unit.
I what to be able to connect my 120W portable solar panel with regulator to the van batteries. Can this be done by simply connecting the panel directly to the batteries or does it have to be connected via the vans solar regulator or via the Setec power supply?
Gus
Does the portable panel have a regulator? If it has, then you can connect the portable panel to the battery. If not then you need to connect it through the regulator in the van.
Connecting a panel without a regulator to the battery will cook the battery.
As the portable panel has a regulator, then OK to connect the regulator to the battery. I see you have 2 batteries, so have you connected the +'s and the -'s? If yes, I was told to connect my portable solar to the + of one battery and the - of the other. The more knowledgable will tell us why this is the better arrangement...
Glen
Please do. Thanks,
Cheers, John
Hi Glen,
I agree, pos+ one battery neg- the other.
Panel has a regulator although I may bypass this and place a regulator near the batteries to minimis voltage drop.
Gus
Hi Gus,
Not a good idea to have two regulators. They might be set up differently and not work together well. The other30a reg has plenty of capacity so wire the portable panel through that in parallel. Wire in a 12v socket in a good accessible spot and put a plug on the lead from the portable panel.
Cheers jaahn.
Hi Jaahn
I thought there may be a problem using two regulators, I was just trying to avoid putting the portable panel thru the vans regulator because of the stupid place it has been installed.
Rowan /Gus1949
Cheers
Jeff