Electronic – PV with Arduino and 12Volt Sealed Lead Acid battery

solar-charge-controller

I have bought this solar charger (Epsolar-LS0512E): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/970886/Epsolar-Ls0512.html#manual
a 12 Volt Sealed Lead Acid battery, and I use this solar panel:

Voltage: 12V
Peak Power: 40 W
Number of Cell: 36 Pcs
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 2.47 A
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 21.82 V
Maximum Power Current (Imp): 2.27 A
Maximum PowerVoltage (Vmp): 17.6 V

I want to supply a load, and by reading the solar charger manual it says to use fuses. I use special cable (4mm) for DC current from solar panel to the solar charger. My question is what fuses should I use? Is there any special fuses for PV? Should I take care of something else? It is the 1st time I use PV and I don't know how to proceed…

Thank you!

Best Answer

Size the fuses to the slightly more than max of what the controller can provide.

The datasheet recommends this:

It is recommended that no less than 2 times rated current fuse is connected with battery and load.

This would give the design protection from short circuits.

The battery can support 5A so I'd use a 10A fuse. There is no rating for the load, so I would assume that 5A max for the load would be good (since that's what the battery can supply.) Use a 10A fuse there also and don't go over 5A for the load. I use car fuses (and holders) for my solar projects, they are available at auto parts stores.

Source: https://midsummerenergy.co.uk/pdfs/ep5a.pdf

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