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Thread: Piranha DBS180E solar panel input

  1. 27th September 2010, 12:08 AM #1
    streaky Guest

    Lightbulb Piranha DBS180E solar panel input

    I have a Piranha DBS180E system installed in my Disco along with a Yellow Top Auxillery battery and a Red Top starter battery.
    The DBS180E has a solar panel input.
    Which of the two batteries is being charged by the solar panel when I turn off the ignition? I want it to charge both the red and yellow top but think the unit might be switched to only charge one...correct?
    I tried the Piranah website but it's not accepting Q&A's at the moment.

    As a temporary measure I have wired the unit to the Yellow Top battery and have linked the two batteries using a peice of wire. I think this is now trickle charging both batteries but it's hardly the right way to go about it.
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  2. 27th September 2010, 02:51 PM #2
    Bushwanderer's Avatar
    Bushwanderer
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    Hi Streaky,
    Can't answer re the Piranha unit, but charging batteries without a regulator can lead to problems, one of which might be overcharging, and another, the discharging of the batteries through the solar panel overnight.

    At the very least, get a regulator.

    Best Wishes,
    Peter
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  3. 27th September 2010, 06:59 PM #3
    miky Guest
    Why do you want to solar charge the starting battery?

    The "normal" method is to run all auxiliary loads off the auxiliary battery.


    .
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  4. 27th September 2010, 11:20 PM #4
    streaky Guest
    Hi guys.
    Sorry I failed to mention the panel is charging the yellow top aux battery via a regulator but since the car sits for long periods the Red Top starter battery sometimes dies.

    Any ideas about the switching of the solar panel inputs?

    Thx.
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  5. 28th September 2010, 02:21 PM #5
    Bushwanderer's Avatar
    Bushwanderer
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    Hi Streaky,
    Many regulators have a diode to prevent backflow of current. Does yours?

    Best Wishes,
    Peter
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  6. 28th September 2010, 02:31 PM #6
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    bee utey
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    At home I have a 200W solar panel set which charges 2 separate battery banks using 2 regulators off the same solar feed. It hasn't had any trouble doing this for the last 18 months. Just buy another regulator of a suitable type and you can charge both batteries without cross connecting them. All the solar regs I have seen so far include diodes to prevent discharge.
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  7. 28th September 2010, 05:17 PM #7
    streaky Guest
    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    Yes my regulator has the diode system to prevent battery drain.

    The system goes as follows.

    Portable Solar panel wired to regulator.
    Regulator wired to yellow top auxillery battery.
    Temporary Basic Twin wire going from Yellow Top to Red top starter battery to act as a slow trickle charge. (This is done with crocodile clips when the car is parked up)
    I disconect the system from the the charging circut when the engine is running as a safety measure.

    How does that all sound? Makes sense?

    Thx.
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  8. 30th September 2010, 11:56 AM #8
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    Bushwanderer
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    Hi Streaky,
    Just be aware that, if the two batteries are at widely different voltages/SoC, there may be a "rush" of current trying to equalize the batteries. At the very least, I would use a jumper lead to connect the two batteries but, ideally, there would be a regulator between the two.

    HTH,
    Peter
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