Correct Order to Safely Connect System

Kcp said:

Inverter and SCC(Solar Charge Controller) are different beasts, the only thing they have in common is they're both connected to the battery- that's it. SO.....

SCC: Always connect battery first before solar (PV) connecting + or - first doesn't matter. Solar down at 100+ volts will produce a small spark have a circuit breaker between solar and controller and just trip it, make the connection, reset breaker, no spark or cover the panels and no spark.

Inverter: The hidden shocker here is the spark. Think about it, it may or may not happen but always think it will. Now the spark could damage screw threads so don't spark the bolt. I personally install + from inverter to fuse to out of fuse and look at the battery arrangement and think 1 thought- where can I deal with the spark on this battery setup on the positive or negative? If main + and - are loaded with lugs is there a clear alt + and - I can use or is there an inline circuit I can turn off to avoid the spark? When I have to spark even on a terminal loaded with lugs I remove all lugs from the terminal (+ or - doesn't matter, I've focused on the terminal I can deal with the spark) keeping any sparking lugs (house) pressed to the terminal then spark off those lugs, hold, and spark again then put everything back together. If there's a battery shut off switch to load I turn that off also to avoid the green sparks.

A note: I install Solar on RVs in a shop so I deal with alot of different battery setups.

Forgot: yes, always disconnect a solar wire from controller before disconnecting battery. + or - doesn't matter just twist on a wire cap or electrical tape it. Or turn off a breaker if there is one. The reason is some rare cheap controllers will fry with solar connnected and battrey not connected. Understand I work in RV solar install and deal with alot of controllers and fried a cheap one years ago- all this is just good general practice.

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