Solar panel controller

nokiatom

Just wondering which of the icons on the controller are for the solar panel. I presume it's the first one on the left but the one on the right has something similar

m8

As far as i know it's the first 2 to the Solar panel and the last 2 to a load.

My one is a different brand but connections look simular.

Most don't connect anything to the load as all the load comes from the battery IE lights and so on.

ChippingSodbury

Looks like panel, battery and load.

Always connect load first, battery second, solar third. Disconnect vice versa

Its better to go through your solar controller for all loads as it will contain a battery protector which will prevent damaging deep discharge, Deep cycle batteries are capable of deep discharge - but it still damages them. The only potential exception is large current connections which are fully off when not engaged.

This is also why its best to have them connected to the solar controller throughout winter as it will float them to optimal charge. If a leisure battery is left connected without a charge input throughout winter then there is a high probability it will be dead in the spring. A solar controller also gives the battery optimal charge conditions which means it can charge when normally the solar panel directly connected could not.