You have a dedicated switch for solar panel?

[Creekboater]

I know you don't HAVE to wire in a switch on your solar panel but it seems recommended and I like the idea of one. So...

I believe I'll put a dedicated switch on my panel (bypassing my main batt switch), but i'm curious to whether anyone has good reason to think this is unnecessary. Six of one half dozen of the other I"d just as soon have a cleaner panel with no extra switch.

Wouldn't the solar controllers have a switch maybe?

[Hooky]

G'Day Martin,
In my opinion instead of installing a switch between the battery and solar panel I would consider installing either an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) unit or a DCDC Charger with inbuilt MPPT unit. Both units would not only isolate the solar panel from the battery but would prevent discharge of the battery in adverse conditions i.e. nighttime or very cloudy or\or a shaded solar panel.
A DCDC Charger with an inbuilt MPPT uses the power output from any source i.e. tow vehicles alternator, solar panel, or outboard motor (if the outboard motor has an alternator) and in simplistic terms takes the power and creates an output voltage and current that's ideally suited to charging and/or maintaining your house battery.
But as a disclaimer this is just my opinion based on my experiences, I am not an expert in this field.
I hope this helps
Cheers
Terry

[Creekboater]

Thanks Hooky. I have no clue what those acronyms mean but I’m about to look them up!

[Hooky]

Hey Martin,
Now I can't make it too easy for you mate, a little bit of HWK (homework) haha.
Cheers Terry