[donu]

looking for some help
I have a 60 w (I think) panel that I removed from my bus that I want to repurpose to run some security lights
Question - do I have to use a seperate controller or is the panel able to be hooked up straight to a battery (as I believe it was on the bus)
Basicaly I don't want it to discharge the batt overnight
hopefully the images posted of the panel wiring will be enough to provide an answer

[David Wallace]

Hi. Wow I have never seen a solar panel junction box like that before . Even though I can't see the second attachment very well it appears that by changing the wiring configuration of the panel will change its output voltage? At a guess, without seeing a better connection diagram, it could be used without a solar controller if the J/box is wired correctly. Can you provide a better wiring diagram or a link to a manual would help to make 100% shore.

[David Wallace]

Found this link on Solarex Panels.
https://www.solarelectricsupply.com/sol ... on-box-551
Having a look at the spec. You will need a solar controller to prevent a connected battery from being over charged and being damaged. Cheers David.

[donu]

Hi David
thanks for the link - trying to make sense of it

To view the photos larger I just click on them so they open and use CTR + to enlarge the image to read the details (I actually find the CTR+ & CTR- very handy when I don't want to wear my glasses)
Part of the reason is that I litterally cut the wires of at the roof and there was no controller in the bus that I could find - if there is then it is well hidden and no longer connected to the batteries - (12v). that made me wonder if the panel wiring box was actually a PWM controller
The details on the label show schematics for 12v and 6v with and without "blocking diodes" and "bypass diodes" but I cant figure out how the output is actually wired and if it is okay to use my way

[RaymonD]

Solarex panels were manufactured with built in controller, in the first photo it is the circuit board beneath the wiring.

[Nut17]

Simple proof would be obtained by measuring the voltage at the wires that went to your battery with the panel in full direct sunlight. I would expect about 14.6 volts if it has a built in controller.