I'm setting up a solar array and I've got one question about connecting the charge controller to my batteries. I've got two Group D 135ah dual purpose batteries for my house bank, (I'm aware that's low but it came with the boat, I'll get better ones later). Anyway my batteries are not wired in parallel and are Instead wired Individually to a round selector knob near my inverter that let's me choose battery 1, 2, or both. My question here is how do I connect the charge controller to charge both of my batteries? Do I connect the batteries in parallel and then run my charge controller wires to the batteries? Will that mess with my battery selector switch? I'm a little lost at this point because I really don't want to screw something up. I'll post pictures of what I'm working with in just a moment
Solar Array Hunter 450 passage
- Thread starter Nauticlops
- Start date
The solar charge controller should be wired to the “house” bank. (Whichever battery isn’t receiving direct engine charge.).
Buy one of these to connect both batteries Blue Sea Systems SI-Series Automatic Charging Relay and follow the Blue Seas directions for installation.
When charging from either source, engine or solar, both batteries will receive a charge. When not charging they will be isolated.
Buy one of these to connect both batteries Blue Sea Systems SI-Series Automatic Charging Relay and follow the Blue Seas directions for installation.
When charging from either source, engine or solar, both batteries will receive a charge. When not charging they will be isolated.
My OEM Solar panel is connected to the Start Battery, not the House Batteries.
It was intended to maintain the Start Battery topped off, since that battery is used for the Main Bilge pump.
I believe your owner's manual is still available to check out the wiring set up.
Jim...
PS: Your House Battery set up is same as my H430.
It was intended to maintain the Start Battery topped off, since that battery is used for the Main Bilge pump.
I believe your owner's manual is still available to check out the wiring set up.
Jim...
PS: Your House Battery set up is same as my H430.
How many watts are you adding in solar? What is the intent of the added system? Thre switch looks like its intended just be a selector for the 12 volt feed for your inverted. It looks like there might be another switch to select which battery you use for your coach. If so I would hook the controller up to the battery side of the switch in a parallel format so it charges both batterys regardless of the switch position and with a appropriate fuse.
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So I've got 3 batteries total. A starter battery for my engine and Geny, and the two you see in my pictures are my house bank(I'm only connecting my house bank to the array). The selector knob is used to select what battery to invert from (1, 2 or both, I can also completely isolate a battery by flipping one or both of the white switches in my picture) I've never had a need to invert from only one battery so the knob is always left on both to evenly ware the batteries. The system I'm setting up is 3 150w panels going to a 100v 40amp MPPT charge controller. The alternator charges my house and the starter battery without giving me a choice, while the engine is on obviously.
The intent for adding panels was to help offset some of my energy needs during the day so my batteries carry me durring peak hours. We've lived on the boat for 2 years now and energy rates are only climbing in San Diego.
The intent for adding panels was to help offset some of my energy needs during the day so my batteries carry me durring peak hours. We've lived on the boat for 2 years now and energy rates are only climbing in San Diego.
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Your right. Strike that. I guess the options then would be straight to one battery or like previosly posted, add a Blue Sea solenoid between the battaries making them parrelel while the solenoid is closed and hooking the controller to the batts in parallel? I'd make the bank parallel, add a crank batt and add the solenoid between the bank and crank batts.
Just read this..... Id get rid of the existing switch or change its intention to feeding the crank circuit so you can crank on the house bank in an emergency. Put the alt and solar output on the house bank and put the house bank in parrelel, inverter to the house bank, add the solenoid between the house and crank, add appropriate fuses. Like you said, you woukd never use the inverter on one battery. There are alot smarter guys on here .....
Unless you’re running AC and/or still haven’t switched to LED light, 450 watts of solar should be more than enough to keep things running perpetually off the grid. Especially in San Diego
Actually the alternator on your "Geny" does the same thing. If both are running, there is an Isolator to block one of the two.
If I suspect the Start Battery is weak, I will start my Genset [16 HP] first letting its alternator recharge the Start Battery.
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Simply add the Solar Panel controller to the Both selector switch. Selecting 1 or 2 means you are not balancing the Solar Charge. This would add your Solar Amps to the House Batteries.
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Are you sure about that?
That would take a special device added versus Hunter standard charging.
Jim...
The worst of all possible choices. (I don’t know how to sugar coat my opinion on this.). Then the solar panel would not work unless the Both position is selected. If I’m wrong, please explain further how this logic would work.
(Edit: See my other "EDIT" post below. )
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I think he is going off of the fact that the OP stated he leaves it on Both.
The ideal configuration for solar panels is that they should work ALL the time even with all main batter switches off. (like bilge pumps.).
EDIT - also the Both position joins the batteries. It's a shunt, and the Both setting is a common connection to the vessel electrical system. Ideally that switch should not need to be left on all the time. It serves a purpose when used as intended.
EDIT - also the Both position joins the batteries. It's a shunt, and the Both setting is a common connection to the vessel electrical system. Ideally that switch should not need to be left on all the time. It serves a purpose when used as intended.
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Ok let him Select what he wants to do.
On his first picture showing the Inverter Draw Selector, there are 2 white panel breaker switches.
Panel 2 breaker is for the Inverter Draw. Panel 1 is for the Start Battery [on/off] selector not shown.
Put the Solar Power on the up side of the Panel 2 breaker. Then he can select BOTH, if he wants.
Jim...
PS: My Solar Collect goes to Panel 1. The fact that his says Cut off engine before switching says he has a device installed that I don't have.
On his first picture showing the Inverter Draw Selector, there are 2 white panel breaker switches.
Panel 2 breaker is for the Inverter Draw. Panel 1 is for the Start Battery [on/off] selector not shown.
Put the Solar Power on the up side of the Panel 2 breaker. Then he can select BOTH, if he wants.
Jim...
PS: My Solar Collect goes to Panel 1. The fact that his says Cut off engine before switching says he has a device installed that I don't have.
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