Solar Panel fitment

[aland]

Hi Folks, New to site. I am looking to fit solar to my Knuas Live I 700 MEG - I have a Shaudt WA 121525 fitted - how does to Solar system connect to the Leisure battery in this case ?

 

[autorouter]

The solar would be entirely independent of the WA121525 booster. You would need a solar controller, and there are two types, PWM and MPPT. The better option is MPPT, it gives you a bit more yield when the weather is not optimal, such as bright cloud or low sun angle. In full midsummer sun they are both about the same.

You could wire the solar controller output directly to the batteries (with a suitable fuse of course). It should work alongside any other charging device, such as your WA121525 booster.

Smart chargers like MPPT controllers and your WA121525 booster charge in two stages, called bulk and absorption. In the bulk stage, the device pushes out its full output amps as the battery voltage slowly rises. When the battery reaches a preset voltage called the absorption voltage, the bulk stage ends, and it switches to the absorption stage.

At that point the battery is about 80% full. Both devices will be pushing out their full amps output, until the absorption voltage is achieved. The charging devices will have adjustable settings, including the absorption voltage level and the float voltage level. Ideally you should set them to be the same for both devices, but if they are a bit different it's OK.

When charging has finished, the charger keeps the battery at the float voltage level, which stops self-discharge over time, but prevents overcharging.

In terms of the actual wire connection, depending on the layout it may not be necessary to run a wire all the way from the solar controller to the battery. There will be a 12V distribution/fusebox with a substantial battery connection that could be used if it is more convenient.

 

[Phill D]

Hi and welcome,
You won’t get better advice than above!

 

[Jabstatt]

Roger Ivy from Offgrid Power, resident of this parish, is your friend!

Tony

 

[aland]

The solar would be entirely independent of the WA121525 booster. You would need a solar controller, and there are two types, PWM and MPPT. The better option is MPPT, it gives you a bit more yield when the weather is not optimal, such as bright cloud or low sun angle. In full midsummer sun they are both about the same.

You could wire the solar controller output directly to the batteries (with a suitable fuse of course). It should work alongside any other charging device, such as your WA121525 booster.

Smart chargers like MPPT controllers and your WA121525 booster charge in two stages, called bulk and absorption. In the bulk stage, the device pushes out its full output amps as the battery voltage slowly rises. When the battery reaches a preset voltage called the absorption voltage, the bulk stage ends, and it switches to the absorption stage.

At that point the battery is about 80% full. Both devices will be pushing out their full amps output, until the absorption voltage is achieved. The charging devices will have adjustable settings, including the absorption voltage level and the float voltage level. Ideally you should set them to be the same for both devices, but if they are a bit different it's OK.

When charging has finished, the charger keeps the battery at the float voltage level, which stops self-discharge over time, but prevents overcharging.

In terms of the actual wire connection, depending on the layout it may not be necessary to run a wire all the way from the solar controller to the battery. There will be a 12V distribution/fusebox with a substantial battery connection that could be used if it is more convenient.

Many thanks for you prompt and informative response.

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