switch recommendation

[cygvan]

can anyone recommend a switch type and brand to do the following:

one switch to manually disconnect/connect my solar system to the battery bank.

another to do the same for my AC charging system to the battery bank.

battery bank is 12v at 400 to 600ah (not completed yet)

solar system is 245w pv panel with mppt controller (30.8v 7.96a at the panel)

charger is 45amp model (draws 13-15 amps i think) that will be plugged into AC 2x week


i dont imagine a single selector switch would work or be a good idea but if i am wrong then same question.

oh and it has to look cool

[Advanturetrek]

How about a marine battery switch, like those from Blue Sea Systems?

http://bluesea.com/category/1

[cygvan]

we are on the same page it seems. i visit that site often and plan on picking up a 5026 fuse block for my 12v runs.

im thinking either the m series or the e series would do fine. i see they each have a few options and ive focused on the single circuit on-off versions. do you forsee any issue with using either one of those?

anyone else have any brand/type recommendations?

[Advanturetrek]

Yes ... I'm expecting to get a 5026, too, for the same application.

I think any of the battery switches will work unless you have unusually high current requirements. Note that the e-series and m-series have different mounting options. One may fit better for you.

For my application, I'm considering a "selector 4-position switch" like part 9001e to save space. I'll have solar power and an AC charger. I could get a single circuit switch for each. Or, I could get one 4-position switch, connect solar to circuit 1, and connect the AC charger to circuit 2.

I'll enjoy hearing what you end up doing.

[cygvan]

i prefer a single switch but i was afraid to combine ac and dc. sounds like i was being to cautious.

if my battery bank winds up at 600ah, do you think im still a go with these switches?

[Advanturetrek]

To clarify, I'm not proposing AC and DC on the same switch -- that would be unsafe with the switch model I mentioned. I'm considering combining the DC output of my solar charge controller and the *DC* output of my AC-to-DC battery charger on one switch.

The size of your battery bank (e.g., 600 Ah) isn't a factor in choosing your switch. You need to size the switch based on electrical current (measured in Amps). Add up the current requirements for all of your components and choose a switch that is rated for at least that much current. Also, pay attention to the maximum voltage rating and the DC vs. AC rating for the switch.

The smallest Blue Sea switch, the m-series, is rated for 300 Amps at 48 Volts DC, and it's probably enough for most SMBs. None of their battery switches are suitable for AC (but they're fine for the DC output of a charger). If you want to switch AC, consider regular wall switches from your home improvement store.

[cygvan]

ah i see...dc side of charger is ok combined with dc side of solar...

i never thought of a simple light switch for ac side of charger. thats genious! lol thank you!

i just had an epiphany...i probably dont need a switch on both sides...if i just put a switch on solar side to disconnect the solar when using the ac charger, that does the trick. no need for switch on ac charger side since when not in use its actually unplugged...duh

there are days when i think im smart....then theres today...

now to figure out where to put switch on solar side. before mppt or after. have to see where the mppt draws power for operation. it would be nice to be able to use it for the battery monitor functions even though its disconnected from panel. so ideally, id put the switch between panel and mppt. i really hope my mppt will work that way...gotta read up on it

[daveb]

there are several companies that supply nice stuff that has the cool effect
http://www.boatinggearcenter.com/c-17-b ... 9Q#Filter=[EntityIDs=@%28296%29@*Pagesize=30*Sort=5*ava=0]

http://www.newmarpower.com/Electrical_P ... anels.html

http://search.overtons.com/?Ns=p_image_ ... Electrical

[cygvan]

excellent...thanks!

i know what im doing for the next few hours lol