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3
GENERAL SAFETY
3.1. Warnings
Please read the instruction manual carefully before attempting to carry out
any installation and wiring. Contact your RV dealer or Technical support at
Samlex America (1-800-561-5885) for any questions concerning the installation.
Installation and wiring compliance
Installation and wiring must comply with the local and National Electrical Codes and must be done
by a certified electrician.
1. Disconnect all power sources before carrying out the installation.
2. Make sure the correct polarity is observed when making connections between the solar panel,
charge controller and the battery.
Damage due to reverse polarity connection is not covered
by warranty.
3. Make sure all wire connections are secure as loose connections may cause sparks.
4. Wear appropriate clothing and safety gear including protective eyewear when performing
any electrical installation.
Preventing fire and explosion hazards
Working with electronic/electrical equipment may produce arcs or sparks. Thus, such equipment should not
be used in areas where there are inflammable materials or gases requiring ignition protected equipment.
These areas may include spaces containing gasoline powered machinery, fuel tanks, battery compartments.
Precautions when working with batteries
•
Batteries contain very corrosive diluted sulphuric acid as electrolyte. Precautions should be taken
to prevent contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
•
Batteries generate hydrogen and oxygen during charging resulting in evolution of explosive gas mixture.
Care should be taken to ventilate the battery area and follow the battery manufacturer’s
recommendations.
•
Never smoke or allow a spark or flame near the batteries.
•
Use caution to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool on the battery. It could spark or short circuit
the battery or other electrical parts and could cause an explosion.
•
Remove metal items like rings, bracelets and watches when working with batteries. The batteries can
produce a short circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal and thus cause a severe
burn.
•
If you need to remove a battery, always remove the ground terminal from the battery first. Make sure
that all the accessories are off so that you do not cause a spark.
•
Use properly insulated tools only when making battery connections.
Precautions when working with solar panels
With the incidence of sunlight or other light sources on all solar panels, a voltage appears at the output
terminals of the solar panel turning it into a source of electricity. To avoid a shock hazard make sure the solar
panel is covered with an opaque (dark) material such as paper/cloth during the installation. Do not make
contact with the terminals when the panel is exposed to sunlight or any other light sources.