Installation Guide

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The battery(s) must first be connected to the charge controller before proceeding to any other
connections. Most PWM Controllers have automatic battery voltage detection, and the
controller must detect what voltage level it will be charging at.
12V wiring
In this section, we will show the basic 12V and 24V connections for off-grid systems that use a
PWM- type controller. Please follow them thoroughly.
Figure 6.1 Charge controller connected to a 12V battery
6.1 Battery to charge controller
Before starting the connection, keep in mind the following:
The charge controller should be as close as possible to the batteries. This helps keep line
loss to a minimum level.
Remember to always use the recommended gauge size based on the PV system and
charge controller.
CAUTION
The battery must first be wired to the charge controller before the solar panel is
connected to the charge controller.
AWG 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Max. Current
55A40A30A25A18A 75A 95A 130A 170A
NEC Maximum Current for different Copper Wire Sizes