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That'll work fine Matty. They won't overload your batts, they'll both continue to charge your batts to a target V. One will tend to 'override' the other depending on the target settings of each, but that can be fooled with. If you're not watching you wouldn't even know.

Just wire the solar input to exactly the same place your genny feeds the batts.

Hi Matty,

Your thinking is correct. It is possible for the solar current and the generator current to combine.

This can lead to issues, such as overloading battery fuses, IF you batteries accept the combined currents.

What is likely happening instead (as John C mentioned in his answer) is that the additional current will also raise the voltage, and this will lead to both chargers backing off the current to keep the voltage to it's target.

It is possible to limit the combined charge current of the two devices, while having each still maintain its full potential individually. It is the Distributed Voltage and Charge Current (DVCC) feature, and it is an option when both the inverter/charger and the MPPT solar charge controller are connected to a GX Venus-device.

Hi guys, thanks so much for your quick responses that's brilliant.

I had guessed that the Venus or CCGX would have some way of addressing this, but I wanted to avoid these, partly on account of cost, but mainly because I'm trying to keep it simple and the venus doesn't look like it will help in that respect!

I was planning on using the bluetooth dongle and smartsolar for monitoring everything, I suppose if i'm worried about overcharging I could just flip an isolator switch from the panels while the genny is running? That sound reasonable and safe?

Thanks again for your help, can't tell you how much I appreciate it!