Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 Battery Sense Connection

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ddegange
ddegange Registered Users Posts: 2
Hello.  I just installed 2 Kyocera KU265 panels on my boat with a Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 CC.  The run from the panels to the cc is about 25 feet.  I have 3 AGM batteries connected in parrellel and the closest one to the cc is about 7 feet so I connected the cc there.  Can the battery sense wire be connected to the same battery terminals as the battery connections to the cc?

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  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome to the forum,

    The battery sense wires help the controller to know the battery voltage regardless of the voltage drop in the wiring.

    It sounds like you have your batteries spread out a bit.  This will make it difficult for them to all have the same voltage drop.  The voltages will be correct at the battery with the sense leads.  Batteries closer to the controller (than the sense leads) will be overcharged, and batteries that are farther will be undercharged.

    --vtMaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
  • ddegange
    ddegange Registered Users Posts: 2
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    Thank you.  I wasn't sure if putting the battery sense wire on the same terminal as the charge wire from the cc would have any affect on the battery sense voltage reading.  
  • inetdog
    inetdog Solar Expert Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭✭
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    Putting the sense wire on a connector which is in turn attached to the battery terminal will pick up the voltage drop between connector and battery. But it should only be millivolts of difference.
    If possible, you should attach the sense wires separately to the battery terminal, but that is not always easy. Against the lead on the other side of through bolt from the main lead on a flag terminal should be perfect.
    SMA SB 3000, old BP panels.