SolarPro Plug'n'Play 100 FAQ

Q1 Can I connect my SolarPRO plug'n'play™ panels together without the quick-connect cable?
Q2 What types of batteries can I recharge?
Q3 How long will it take to charge a dead battery?
Q4 Can the SolarPRO plug'n'play™ drain my battery at night?
Q5 Can the SolarPRO plug'n'play™ overcharge my battery?
Q6 Can I run my 110 volt appliances with my solar power system?
Q7 Can I charge more than one battery at a time with the SolarPRO plug'n'play™?
Q8 Can the wiring be extended?
Q9 Can my panel be left outdoors without a protective covering?
Q10 Do I have to disconnect the panels from the battery when I drive my RV or while I am recharging my battery by other means?
Q11 The green light (LED)on the panel does not light up. Should I be concerned?
Q12 Can I run my whole house on the power generated from a few SolarPRO plug'n'play™ panels?
Q13 How much solar power can the 7 amp charge controller handle?

Q1 Can I connect my SolarPRO plug'n'play™ panels together without the quick-connect cable?

No, the quick-connect wires are designed specifically for the SolarPRO plug'n'play™ panels. Without the correct wires you risk a poor connection.

Q2 What types of batteries can I recharge?

You can recharge all types of 12 volt batteries including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries, and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. When using the SolarPRO plug'n'play™ to run appliances on a regular basis, we recommend the use of deep cycle marine batteries which are designed to withstand frequent charge and discharge cycles.

Q3 How long will it take to charge a dead battery?

The SolarPRO plug'n'play™ 100 will supply a maximum rate of 6.7 amps per hour in direct sunshine. This means that it would take approximately 5 hours of full sunshine to recharge a battery requiring 30 amp-hours for full charge. Please note that your local field conditions, particularly shade or cloud and angle of incidence. These can substantially influence the output of your panels.

Q4 Can the SolarPRO plug'n'play™ drain my battery at night?

Once the ICP charge controller is installed there is no danger of reverse current, so you may leave your panel installed overnight.

Q5 Can the SolarPRO plug'n'play™ overcharge my battery?

Yes, that is why it is important to use the charge controller included in your kit. Avoid connecting the panel directly to the battery.

Q6 Can I run my 110 volt appliances with my solar power system?

Yes. You can run your 110 volts appliances with an inverter, which will attach to your battery to change the battery's 12 volt (DC) energy into 110 volt (AC).

Q7 Can I charge more than one battery at a time with the SolarPRO plug'n'play™?

Yes, the charge can be applied to a bank of batteries. When attached to a bank of 2 or more batteries, the total power input will be divided into that number of batteries. The higher the number of batteries, the longer it will take to recharge the battery bank.

Q8 Can the wiring be extended?

You can extend the wiring of the solar panels using AWG12 gauge wire without any significant loss of power within 60 feet.

Q9 Can my panel be left outdoors without a protective covering?

Yes. The SolarPRO plug'n'play™ panel has been weatherproofed and can be mounted outdoors without any additional protection.

Q10 Do I have to disconnect the panels from the battery when I drive my RV or while I am recharging my battery by other means?

No, ICP solar panels are designed to be permanently connected to the battery. There is no need to disconnect them while driving a RV for example, or when charging the batteries by other means such as AC chargers, or a vehicle's generator or alternator.

Q11 The green light (LED)on the panel does not light up. Should I be concerned?

The green light (LED) indicates that your unit is receiving daylight exposure. If it is not lit, it may mean that you are not exposing the unit to enough daylight. Please position the solar panel to maximize its exposure to the sun. If this does not trigger the LED to work, it is possible that the LED is burnt out. The LED may have a more limited life span than the panel. This in no way reflects on or affects the performance of the solar panel.

Q12 Can I run my whole house on the power generated from a few SolarPRO plug'n'play™ panels?

Not unless you purchased a very large number of solar panels. The power generated is not enough to run your entire household. A few panels can be used to supply your battery with reserve power to help run some 12 volt or 110 volt appliances at the home, cottage, boat or RV.

Q13 How much solar power can the 7 amp charge controller handle?

The 7 amp charge controller can handle up to 100 watts of power. Beyond that you can obtain a 21 Amp Charge Controller able to handle up to 300 watts.

 

First Mate's Cabin
Van Buren, OH 45889
PH: (419) 299-3862
Fax: (419) 299-3032
Email: firstmatescabin@aol.com