Fuseable link on solar charger...

[Squidd]

I understand the need for a fuse/fuseable link within 7" of battery positive for any "load" connected...

Does that hold true for my solar controler "feed" lines to each bank...?

I don't know if the controler has an internal circut breaker, or if that even counts, but I assume the fuse @ 7" would be there to protect the line (if it got pinched) between the battery and controler..

Maybe I answered my own question..

 

[Sailvayu]

You sort of did but the fuse or breaker needs to be at the battery end and the panel end, like you say power source and in this case the panels are the source not the controller.

 

[Maine Sail]

You sort of did but the fuse or breaker needs to be at the battery end and the panel end, like you say power source and in this case the panels are the source not the controller.

If the wire is sized properly for the panel there is no need for a fuse at the panel end... The battery bank is always the source because the panel, like an alternator, is "self limiting" and thus does not require fusing at that end....

Fuse should be as close to the battery + post as possible (7" is the actual ABYC requirement) in the + output wire from the controller to the battery.

 

[Squidd]

OK...and the fuse is rated to the wire size...? moreso than the charger output...?

The controller is good for 10 amp each bank, but I only have 80watt of panel at present so will only be pushing 6ish amps if that...

Will a 7 amp fuse be proper or can I use a 10 amp (in case I get more/bigger panels)

Wire from panel to controler is (I believe) 8 or10ga and from controller to each bank 12 ga...

 

[Maine Sail]

OK...and the fuse is rated to the wire size...? moreso than the charger output...?

The controller is good for 10 amp each bank, but I only have 80watt of panel at present so will only be pushing 6ish amps if that...

Will a 7 amp fuse be proper or can I use a 10 amp (in case I get more/bigger panels)

Wire from panel to controler is (I believe) 8 or10ga and from controller to each bank 12 ga...

For 12GA 105C rated wire you'll want a 30A-45A fuse. 35A or less for wire in an engine space and a 45A fuse is fine outside of an engine space.

The fuse is there to protect the wire but fuses can cause unwanted voltage drop if sized too small. So, in a solar system, you want to run as big a fuse as the wire is rated for to avoid unwanted voltage drop.

 

[Squidd]

Excellent thank you...

I love getting straight up advise like this...

 

[weinie]

That's why sailboatowners.com pays him the big bucks!