Turning off solar power

[cookie]

Got a sun 390m controller. What's the best way to disconnect or turn off the solar as I've heard its not good to have this permanently keeping batteries at 100% charge.

My thoughts was to put in a switch on neutral wire to disconnect.

Cheers in advance

 

[starquake]

Got a sun 390m controller. What's the best way to disconnect or turn off the solar as I've heard its not good to have this permanently keeping batteries at 100% charge.

This rather depends on your battery chemistry. With lithium I agree it's better to keep to 80% for longevity, but for Lead acid, we keep the motorhome at 100% via solar all the time (and this also keeps the van battery topped up for the alarm).

A good charge controller should also be able to set this (others can advise) , rather than a switch I'd invest in a programmable charger like a Victron, then you can turn it off from charging with manual settings if this is desired. Switch sounds simple, but it's probably 30-40 quid more to get a Victron by time you done faffing, and you then get a good mppt controller too.

 

[cookie]

This rather depends on your battery chemistry. With lithium I agree it's better to keep to 80% for longevity, but for Lead acid, we keep the motorhome at 100% via solar all the time (and this also keeps the van battery topped up for the alarm).

A good charge controller should also be able to set this (others can advise) , rather than a switch I'd invest in a programmable charger like a Victron, then you can turn it off from charging with manual settings if this is desired. Switch sounds simple, but it's probably 30-40 quid more to get a Victron by time you done faffing, and you then get a good mppt controller too.

That's ok but the one I've got is twin input and split charge. I don't think victron does that

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Got a sun 390m controller. What's the best way to disconnect or turn off the solar as I've heard its not good to have this permanently keeping batteries at 100% charge.

My thoughts was to put in a switch on neutral wire to disconnect.

Cheers in advance

In the U.K.? Is it an issue, it'll be raining in a minute and get turned off automatically
Mike.

 

[Tombola]

What batteries do you have

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[cookie]

What batteries do you have

Normal Lead van . Ks lithium habitation

 

[Tombola]

If you are gonna keep the same controller then put in a switch for the lithium, once it's off it will hold charge for months.(With zero load)

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

What drain loads do you have on the battery?
Mike.

 

[IRHP]

It gets turned off every night.

 

[Cush]

Does your lithium bms have the option to turn charging off?

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