Disconnecting solar panel

[PRN]

Hi all,

Novice here, I’m wanting to remove the rear pod from my T6 in order to deaden and insulate but need advice on safely disconnecting leisure battery and solar. Can I simply disconnect the solar feed to the MPPT followed by the wires from the MPPT to the battery? If so, how could I make safe the solar wires whilst carrying the work. Hopefully makes sense! Thanks, Pete

 

[roadtripper]

A solar panel is a source of power so ideally do not disconnect under load. Simple way of doing that is do it after sunset.

I'm assuming you don't have the standard MC4 type connectors from the pictures - it might be an idea to consider fitting a set for future maintenance - but so long as you take each wire out individually and make sure it's insulated before you move the other one the risk of any short is minimal. A simple method might be to temporarily attach something like standard insulation connector block to the bare ends - don't just rely on tape!

 

[Dellmassive]

as above.

lable the wires first before you unplug anything.

take pictures on your phone.

remove the battery fuses that connect to the MPPT,

then unwire one core at a time, and put in terminal strip or wego

...

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Those terminals on the battery look a bit suspect to me, wrong size for the cables.

 

[Dellmassive]

I was wondering where the fuses were?

 

[drinfinity]

Put a blanket over the solar panel before you start.

 

[PRN]

Thanks for the responses. I agree it doesn’t look the best, bought a couple of months ago. I’m having a diesel heater professionally fitted in a couple of weeks so will ask for a look over. Set up below if there are any quick fixes or advice.

Rigid solar panel - Controller
Controller - battery & 6 way fuse box (cool box connected to this)
Battery - 240v inverter

 

[roadtripper]

My immediate concerns with the battery as is:

• Doesn't look physically secured so likely to move under crash or emergency braking - this may also sheer the cables that appear to be routed through the paneling vent holes.
• No master fuse on the positive terminal - fire risk.
• Poorly terminated and matched terminals and cables - they look like they've been done with pliers or a hammer and not a proper crimp tool - fire risk.
• No terminal covers, particularly on positive, far too easy to drop something metal across and short to other terminal or bodywork - fire risk

I wouldn't be using a high current load like an inverter with the wiring in that condition.

 

[bp_porcaro]

Pardon our interruption...

I fitted one of these to the solar system on my caravan.

 

[PRN]

My immediate concerns with the battery as is:

• Doesn't look physically secured so likely to move under crash or emergency braking - this may also sheer the cables that appear to be routed through the paneling vent holes.
• No master fuse on the positive terminal - fire risk.
• Poorly terminated and matched terminals and cables - they look like they've been done with pliers or a hammer and not a proper crimp tool - fire risk.
• No terminal covers, particularly on positive, far too easy to drop something metal across and short to other terminal or bodywork - fire risk

I wouldn't be using a high current load like an inverter with the wiring in that condition.

Thanks for this, I’ll get the above sorted as a matter of urgency and won’t be using the inverter.

 

[PRN]

Pardon our interruption...

I fitted one of these to the solar system on my caravan.

Something I was hoping to find to make things easier, I’ll look into getting one when I get made safe. Thanks