Disconnect solar panel while outboard auxiliary is running?

R

Rich Langdon

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Aug 2, 2009
7
Oday 25 Point Bay Marina Lake Champlain
I just purchased a new 30 watt solar panel to replace the old one for my O'day 25. I have a starter battery and a house battery with a battery selector. If I am charging only the starter battery while motoring (switch set to 1-starter battery) do I have to disconnect the solar panel from the house battery
(number 2) ? The batteries are connected in parallel. The former owner told me I had to disconnect the panel before Runing the engine.
 
Biobob Catalina 27

Biobob Catalina 27

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Dec 25, 2014
84
Catalina 27 Pasadena, Md
Any number of batteries in parallel (2 or any number more) will still be only one battery. You will increase the current, but still have only "one" battery. Likely you have two separate batteries with two separate hot wires with a common ground all going to your 1 / 2 switch.
Switching from battery #1 to battery #2 should connect you to a different battery. Reacheck how they are wired.
If they are connected correctly, being set to #1 battery, you already have battery #2 disconnected.
Also if your switch has off / #1 / all / #2, turn on a cabin light and switch between #2 and all to make sure you have a make before break switch, if not you might blow your alternator if you switch with engine running.
Bob
 
Last edited:
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I run a windgen, solar and either the engine alternator or battery charger without disconnecting any of them, but I am using individual charge controllers on both the windgen and solar system. When the alternator or battery charger is running, the solar and windgen will go to trickle charge and let the big boys do the job.
 
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