Alex,

You need to use a controller specifically designed for solar cells.  And you really need a controller for a deep cycle battery which is easily damaged by the high voltage produced by a cell on a hot, sunny day.

Regards,

Rick Lange

On Tue, Jun 8, 2021 at 5:50 PM S/V Lark <Colealexander at hotmail.com> wrote:

> The trickle cells probably won't overtop the batteries, toasting them.
> Probably.    I added a pair between the solar cells and batteries last
> year,
> when I replaced a faulty cell.   One lives in the battery box by the V
> berth, next to the main switch.  The other is in the little storage nook
> under the companionway.   I looked at it as an inexpensive way to add a
> voltage gauge and USB ports for phone or IPad (Navionics) charger.   The
> negative is parasitic drain during winter layup.   I did the math, the
> milliamps added up from November to April.    The manufacturer cautions
> that
> a solar cell hooked to the controller but not to a batter would damage the
> controller.   I covered my solar cells and disconnected the batteries.  A
> smarter person would have wired in a switch.
>
> Alex
>
>
>
> -----
> Alex Cole
> S/V Lark
> --
> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
>