Isolator switches

[Silvr_Bullet]

I plan on not removing my Lithium batteries. I have a 80 watt solar panel on the roof. Should I have 2 isolator switches 1 for the solar panel and 1 for the DC system? My trailer will be installed indoors, I was thinking to make sure the batteries couldn’t be charged by the solar panel if the trailer was outdoors. Thanks

[waninae39]

yes thats what i did . i used 4 switches as follows

1 for solar
1 for controlled DC
1 for all dc
1 for the front lift jack

[dznf0g]

My methodology is:

1 for solar panel input

1 for house dc only

1 for all dc

In addition the charger can be shut down independently with a switched outlet.

The solar controller can be shut down independently through the victron app.

The brake actuator is always hot in order to prevent an inadvertent loss of brakes. (Hydraulic e over h disc brakes)

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

I plan on not removing my Lithium batteries. I have a 80 watt solar panel on the roof. Should I have 2 isolator switches 1 for the solar panel and 1 for the DC system? My trailer will be installed indoors, I was thinking to make sure the batteries couldn’t be charged by the solar panel if the trailer was outdoors. Thanks

Don't understand - what's the reason you want to make sure your batteries can't be charged when the trailer is outdoors?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Don't understand - what's the reason you want to make sure your batteries can't be charged when the trailer is outdoors?

I can think of one reason....for me. The solar controller, if left on partially cycles the batts every day. And runs through an absorption phase every day.

Now, in my case, if solar is turned off, and I have my charger on, it goes into a storage voltage mode, with a weekly absorption phase.

Less cycles over time = theoretical longer batt life. (AGM)

Is it a huge deal? Maybe not, but is logical to me.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

My methodology is:

1 for solar panel input

1 for house dc only

1 for all dc

In addition the charger can be shut down independently with a switched outlet.

The solar controller can be shut down independently through the victron app.

The brake actuator is always hot in order to prevent an inadvertent loss of brakes. (Hydraulic e over h disc brakes)

Correction: I forgot I had made a change to this configuration. The master switch to shut off ALL 12V circuits, including jack and brakes. My revised thought is I can't drive away with the switch off, as I wouldn't be able to run the jack to hitch up, therefore forcing the brake actuator to be turned on.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I can think of one reason....for me. The solar controller, if left on partially cycles the batts every day. And runs through an absorption phase every day.

Now, in my case, if solar is turned off, and I have my charger on, it goes into a storage voltage mode, with a weekly absorption phase.

Less cycles over time = theoretical longer batt life. (AGM)

Is it a huge deal? Maybe not, but is logical to me.

Makes sense.

[shannon]

So what kind of switches are you using please?

[richard5933]

On my solar install I used a switchable DC circuit breaker as the master disconnect between my solar charge controller and the batteries, and a Blue Sea manual battery disconnect between the solar panels and the charge controller. This allows me to isolate parts of the system when needed for repair.

When trying to accomplish what dznf0g does (keeping the solar charge controller from starting from scratch every day) I used to use the Bluetooth app to turn off the solar charging.

But if my memory is correct there is a setting in the Victron solar charge controller which allows it to automatically shorten/bypass the absorption mode and go almost directly into maintain mode if it senses that there is no need for the higher output.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by richard5933

On my solar install I used a switchable DC circuit breaker as the master disconnect between my solar charge controller and the batteries, and a Blue Sea manual battery disconnect between the solar panels and the charge controller. This allows me to isolate parts of the system when needed for repair.

When trying to accomplish what dznf0g does (keeping the solar charge controller from starting from scratch every day) I used to use the Bluetooth app to turn off the solar charging.

But if my memory is correct there is a setting in the Victron solar charge controller which allows it to automatically shorten/bypass the absorption mode and go almost directly into maintain mode if it senses that there is no need for the higher output.

Hmmm, I'll have to look for that.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by richard5933

On my solar install I used a switchable DC circuit breaker as the master disconnect between my solar charge controller and the batteries, and a Blue Sea manual battery disconnect between the solar panels and the charge controller. This allows me to isolate parts of the system when needed for repair.

When trying to accomplish what dznf0g does (keeping the solar charge controller from starting from scratch every day) I used to use the Bluetooth app to turn off the solar charging.

But if my memory is correct there is a setting in the Victron solar charge controller which allows it to automatically shorten/bypass the absorption mode and go almost directly into maintain mode if it senses that there is no need for the higher output.

The only way I see to do that is to turn absorption time to zero and/or change absorption voltage to match float voltage. I see no storage voltage.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

The only way I see to do that is to turn absorption time to zero and/or change absorption voltage to match float voltage. I see no storage voltage.

Isn't there a way to select a dynamic setting for the time it stays in absorption?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Isn't there a way to select a dynamic setting for the time it stays in absorption?

Yes, you can set it to zero, or set absorption voltage to equal float voltage. A little more convoluted than a radio button to turn off absorption. But you would still have some partial cycling every night when dark, unless you have a true master cutoff switch installed.
I have a pad at home with 30A, so I just turn off the solar and let the Victron charger remain in storage mode. That mode prevents gassing, has a weekly absorption (frequency is adjustable) and is temp compensated. Storage voltage is approx .46v below temperature compensated float voltage.