Hi James,
Thanks for following up.
Yes, Both the SS and SHS have numbers on the connections. And the Phocos also provides a connection order.
However:
Here is what the SS manual says (sorry I didn't manage to paste in a snapshot):
"the label has each system connection numbered from 1 to 6. This is the recommended order of system connections. However, a different order will not damage the controller"
And later in the operation section:
"If the battery is disconnected during the daytime, the PV array will continue to provide power to the controller. The SunSaver will immediately go into PWM and provide power at a constant voltage to the load. This may continue as long as power is available from the PV array".
Maybe I've installed too many SS-10's and generalized this to other controllers. The SHS installation manual, which is much skimpier, also uses the terms "recommended order of connection", without coments on what happens if it's not followed, and doesn't comment on disconnecting the battery during PV operation.
My intention is not to be on the defensive here, but simply to educate - both the readers of this forum and the manufacturers; and to minimize problems for remote users who don't have access to vendors. I spent more than 10 years in various functions within service & support engineering departments at HP, for consumer products. I also trained engineers and call center personnel. I reviewed a lot of user manuals, and lived with warranty bills for product damage due to poor user instructions.
Believe me, if a product manual doesn't have a clear warning (including some clear symbol) that some action may damage the product, that action will happen. People who don't read instructions can't be helped much, but at least when an outsider (installer, NGO, volunteer, etc.) installs a PV system on a hut or in a village school, some training is (or should be) generally provided, and user instructions are left behind. If the product manual doesn't give any warning, no warning will be given to the user, and anything can happen. There are too many failed PV systems out there in the 3d world, which unfortunately give renewable energies a bad name. So everything any one of us can do to make the equipment more "bullet-proof" is helping to foster the cause.
Enough for my soap box
Thanks for your help, and maybe we'll help save the planet.
Michel