Fuse locations for removable solar and inverter

S

SnowTexan

New member
Boat/rv/truck portable solar setup Could use a little help! Safety check. I have 2 x 100ah AGM batteries to be charged exclusively by a 130watt suitcase style solar panel. I’ve wired a 10 amp inline fuse on the positive side of the cables from the panel and this cable will connect to the battery bank with an anderson plug. The batteries will have the receiving end of the anderson plug hardwired to them. Batteries are approximately 6 cable feet apart to be connected in parallel with #4 cables with lugs. 2000 watt Inverter has doubled up #4 cables running maybe 2’. Goofy looking but came with inverter and they are solid!

Do i need a giant fuse between the inverter and the battery? And how do i ground this on the boat? (Rv/trailer can run to frame).

Assume this will run no vital boat electronics and will never be tied to the motors. Solar only system. Thank you in advance for participating in the “keep miss maria crew from electrocution” thread!
 
I probably would run a 15 amp fuse for the solar--it is unlikely it will produce more than 10 amps, but theoretically can produce a bit more.

I used a 300 amp fuse between the Li batteries and the 2000 watt inverter I used in the C Dory 25.

I didn't specifically ground the inverter. Same as not specifically grounding a Honda inverter generator. However, in my setup, I switched mains power to inverter power--using the same outlets, thus it was sort of grounded thru the galvanic isolator...
 
croakz":rwux595w said:
@SnowTexan Do you have an MPPT controller or does your solar panel suitcase plug directly into your batteries?

I've used this chart to size fuses.

https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
Click to expand...

No MPPT, the panels have PWM hardwired in and it didnt seem cost efficient to swap it out given the higher temps we often run in and relatively small (1-2 battery) banks we attach it to. If We (when we…) go lithium we’ll likely oversize the panels and use an mppt controller. For now though its a pretty inexpensive setup that sems to just work! Made mushrooms and polenta for lunch in it this afternoon 😂. 12v polenta just tastes good. Thanks for the link, will check it out. Also Bob, your past success taken under advisement as always!
 
Back
Top