Solar Question ML-ACR

[JackAttack13]

I have a basic question regarding the adding solar to my ML-ACR dual setup. I am looking to add a 120 watt panel with controller to my dual battery setup, but cannot seem to find where I need to connect the + line into the system. Do I drop it on the ACR itself, or to the start battery + terminal. I am mainly concerned with keeping my house battery keeping charge as all of my accessories and fridge will be running off of that battery. The blue sea wiring diagram has the ACR B terminal being connected to the Start battery, which is connected to the alternator. Would the ACR work properly if I connected the solar to that terminal? Any help with this would be great. I have searched the net high and low and could not find any exact information that I am looking for. Thanks.

 

[dwh]

That's a "dual sensing" ACR. When the voltage rises on either side it engages.

Normally you would want the solar to the house battery to let it bulk charge a bit before the batteries are tied.

But it really doesn't matter either way.

And it doesn't matter if you hook the solar to the ACR's terminals or directly to the battery - it's just two ends of the same wire.

 

[JackAttack13]

That's a "dual sensing" ACR. When the voltage rises on either side it engages.

Normally you would want the solar to the house battery to let it bulk charge a bit before the batteries are tied.

But it really doesn't matter either way.

And it doesn't matter if you hook the solar to the ACR's terminals or directly to the battery - it's just two ends of the same wire.

Thanks for the clarification. I was leaning in that direction but was unsure how the ACR would react if it was connected directly to the A terminal vs. the B terminal. I will just hook it up to the B terminal and call it a day. Thanks for the help!

 

[jeegro]

Be sure you have an appropriate OCPD at your "B" (close as practical) terminal before connection to your solar controller.
Said that. Alot of installations a solar controller is simply connected to one of the fuses on an 'aux loadcenter.

Agreed. If you already have an aux fuse panel, just wire the controller into it, as it's usually only a 10 gauge wire

 

[SnoViking]

Agreed. If you already have an aux fuse panel, just wire the controller into it, as it's usually only a 10 gauge wire

+1 This is how I run mine back into the system. Just make sure you use the appropriately sized wiring and fuse for the run.

(I actually use an SAE connector/harness which is wired into the fuse panel and solar wire run. This let's me use a "short" cable, if I'm just tossing the panel on the hood/windshield, or a long cable if I'm parked in the shade and need to reach a sunny patch off in the distance.)

 

[JackAttack13]

Agreed. If you already have an aux fuse panel, just wire the controller into it, as it's usually only a 10 gauge wire

I was actually thinking about this last night. I will be installing a Blue Sea SafteyHub in the back of my rig to run my inverter, fridge, and a few other small things. I will just run that solar through the SafteyHub and then run the 2 Ga safety hub line into the A Terminal of the ACR which has a direct line to the House Battery. Makes complete sense, and keeps me from having to run another set of wires up through the firewall and to the battery. I am all for keeping things clean.