Solar Charging Question

[billypop]

I have had a MEP003a for a few years. I finally decided to get a 24v solar panel and controller. I used to always disconnect the battery. Should I continue to disconnect the battery or keep it connected and let it be maintained by the the solar panel?

 

[Scoobyshep]

I would keep the battery disconnected

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[simp5782]

Use the a disconnect switch but hook the panel to the battery side of the negative disconnect so it will maintain them but their won't be an ground for the battery to lose power to the genset. And of course directly to the battery positive side.

 

[CapePrep]

Why would one disconnect the battery? If all switches/disconnects are working properly, there is nothing to draw the battery down. I leave mine connected, no trickle(even though I keep looking at them!) and I have been fine for over 2 years now. I run it maybe once a month.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Id pull the breaker on the operator cube, and keep the charger attached.

 

[Coug]

Unless something is wrong with your set, there shouldn't be any draw, so no need to disconnect (unless you have added/modified it)
With a solar panel/controller hooked up there is even less reason to disconnect, unless it's a really crappy charge controller that ends up drawing power from the batteries if the panels aren't getting sunlight.

 

[Scoobyshep]

Unless something is wrong with your set, there shouldn't be any draw, so no need to disconnect (unless you have added/modified it)
With a solar panel/controller hooked up there is even less reason to disconnect, unless it's a really crappy charge controller that ends up drawing power from the batteries if the panels aren't getting sunlight.

Memory isnt what it used to be, but i seem to recall something in a TM about disconnecting the battery if it isnt going to be run in a week. I could be wrong though.

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[Chainbreaker]

This is a copy of reply in an old thread post regarding battery drain on MEP-002a/-003a. This reply was by KeithJ:

"Leaving batteries connected on these sets will drain them, something in the voltage regulator puts a small parasitic load on the system. When the batteries are connected, there is a considerable spark like a capacitor charging. This will ruin batteries, I remember a PS article covering this with recommendation of disconnecting the batteries if being stored for more than a few days."

Upon further searching & reading its just the initial charging of a capacitor that was discharged over time when left disconnected and it does not pose much of a drain. Never-the-less, I still disconnect my battery disconnect switch just to be safe. If by chance rodents were to chew through the insulation of wires while genset is not in use it could cause a problem if left always connected is my thought for disconnecting.

 

[billypop]

This is a copy of reply in an old thread post regarding battery drain on MEP-002a/-003a. This reply was by KeithJ:

"Leaving batteries connected on these sets will drain them, something in the voltage regulator puts a small parasitic load on the system. When the batteries are connected, there is a considerable spark like a capacitor charging. This will ruin batteries, I remember a PS article covering this with recommendation of disconnecting the batteries if being stored for more than a few days."

Upon further searching & reading its just the initial charging of a capacitor that was discharged over time when left disconnected and it does not pose much of a drain. Never-the-less, I still disconnect my battery disconnect switch just to be safe. If by chance rodents were to chew through the insulation of wires while genset is not in use it could cause a problem if left always connected is my thought for disconnecting.

Thanks!

 

[swbradley1]

I leave tender/chargers hooked to everything and never disconnect batteries on any of them.

 

[Guyfang]

The military had/has solar chargers for gen sets and trucks, for decades. They do not disconnect anything.

If you have a solar charger hooked up correctly, and the panel is exposed to the sun, how could the battery's become discharged? At least as long as the charger works and the battery's are in order.