question about parking your solar topped camper under fluorescent lights at night

[AbleGuy]

I'm still trying to figure this one out…

We read in the owners info for our camper van which has two hard panel solar panels on the roof that we should not park it at night with the solar power connected while under fluorescent lights, such as street lights or parking lot lights, etc… Because that light emitted from those sources would confuse the MPPT controller and have it cycling on and off all night, and then that would wear it out prematurely!

That kind of caution seems hard to understand when you think about how many campers have solar panels on their roofs and are park under lights at night in campgrounds or RV parks or on streets, etc.

Is this issue really a thing, and have any of you guys read of or been warned about this ?

 

[craig333]

Never heard that one before.

 

[FrenchieXJ]

Maybe contact some of the manufactures of solar panels and solar equipment. I had never heard of that one either.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

worst to worst, could you fashion a sort of kayak cover to slip over the solar when parked overnight

 

[rruff]

They'd have to be extremely bright lights to even register. There should be a switch to turn off the input/charge circuit as well... and if there isn't one, you could install one.

 

[tencentlife]

You should have a hand-operable parallel breaker in the post-combiner PV array positive line and the positive controller to battery wire, such that the charge controller is between the breakers and throwing it operates both simultaneously. This isolates the array, controller, and battery from each other with one action. This is standard PV wiring safety practice. Open that breaker at night if you're parked under artificial light sources of any kind, and you don't need to wonder whether excessive cycling will cause long-term damage to the controller. It would be a hard thing to prove anyway without specific long-term testing, so the manufacturer is probably advising out of an abundance of caution (because they do that), but in any case, if you do that you've eliminated the possibility of problems.

 

[AbleGuy]

Hey, thanks all for your comments.

I finally gave in and asked AI...here's the response:

Importance of Disconnecting Solar Systems at Night​

Potential Issues with Bright Lights​

When parking a camper with solar panels under bright lights, such as street or parking lot lights, it is advisable to disconnect the solar system. The primary concern is that the light can confuse the solar charge controller, particularly the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller. This confusion may cause the controller to cycle on and off throughout the night, which can lead to premature wear and tear.

Recommended Practices​

To prevent potential damage, consider the following practices:

• Disconnect the Solar System: Use a manual switch or breaker to disconnect the solar panels from the battery and charge controller when parked under bright lights.
• Install a Switch: If your system does not have a built-in switch, consider installing one. This allows for easy disconnection when needed.
• Monitor Conditions: If you frequently park under bright lights, regularly check the performance of your solar system to ensure it is functioning correctly.

General Advice​

While many campers park under lights without issues, taking precautions can help extend the life of your solar equipment. Disconnecting the system at night is a simple step to avoid potential problems caused by artificial lighting.



So I may just craft some kind of a clothe cover for now.

The area where my solar plug/unplug resides is too cramped to easily install a disconnect and the rest of the wires are inaccessible, being hidden behind cabinets, etc.

 

[86scotty]

Here's my uninformed answer. I think AI is guessing. Who cares if your controller cycles on and off at night? It probably does it all day as you pass under shadows while moving.

And what exactly is 'premature wear and tear' on a charge controller? It's more or less an intelligent switch and by definition, will last until it doesn't.