Voyager Controller on Suitcase

The Owners Manual for the Voyager emphatically and specifically state that the controller must be connected to a battery load before being connected to the solar panels.  If this is the case, why is the Renogy 100W Suitcase Panel kit shipped with the solar panels connected to the controller?  There is also no recommendation in the owners manual to disconnect the panels from the controller before hooking up batteries.  

not an issue with PWM controllers, the first question I asked here!! as stormy, admin replied.
renogy-store.boards.net/thread/288/connection-order-suitcase

I believe it would be good practice to turn the panels from the sun or hook up at night/morning/;ow light, keep em pointed at the dirt .... before connecting the alligator clips to the battery.

With an mppt controller it is critical.

PWM just connect the batt to panel while a mppt has capacitors and more complicated switches that can get overloaded quickly with no outlet for relief.

Thanks for the response.  I am either going to put a switch on the solar panel positive into the controller or get some additional MC4 connectors and make the connection through the connector after hooking up the batteries.  I am also considering moving the controller from where it is riveted to the suitcase frame to my aluminum battery box so it is right next to the batteries.  I want to have a longer cable to the solar panels than what came in the kit to give me some range of movement with the panels and I'm concerned with voltage drop across the long wire if I leave the controller on the suitcase frame. I figure the surface of the battery box would also help with heat dissipation and improve operating life of the controller, if I add another 100W panel.  Any idea if this would void my warranty?

Good for you, suitcases have their limitations and voltage drop from controller to batt is one. (no help with warranty!)

Solar panels have a big over head (when used with PWM). This overhead is reduced by heat but with a Imp of say 18v there are several volts available for panel to controller. Now panels get hot and the Imp goes down but there is still generally a volt or more overhead above max battery charge voltage. 12g landscape wire is available at big box stores and is flexible and sold by the foot, 2 wires molded together.

Ya might look at Anderson connectors as plug to connect the panel to controller, MC4 are good but warn against plugging/unplug 'under load', and take some effort to disconnect. The crimping tools for either cost money, I used MC4 and regular pliers & 12g landscape wire.

Not sure how water proof IP65 is but here is an explanation


IP65 Enclosure - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against water projected from a nozzle.
IP66 Enclosure - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against heavy seas or powerful jets of water.
IP 67 Enclosures - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against immersion.
IP 68 Enclosures - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against complete, continuous submersion in water.