Matthew Miller wrote:
> Everyone, thanks for your replies! I'll try to answer a few questions: no
> fuse is present in my converter, mistake 1; no blocking is present to
> isolate the feedback point from the batteries, mistake 2.
> 
> The converter died (the spark I mentioned in the OP) when I attached the
> positive output of the converter to the positive terminal of the
> battery. The solar panel positive was not hooked up at this time to the
> converter. The spark could have been because of the output caps charging,
> but that shouldn't have killed the converter...
> 
> Tomorrow I'm going to take the convter apart and try to determine what is
> wrong. Thanks for the comments. I've never built a high current boost
> converter before, so this has been interesting and a bit frustrating...
> 
> Matthew

If your output caps (large if I remember correctly) were tantalum, one 
of them could easily have shorted due to inrush current from the 
battery.  Once shorted, they usually begin to burn and often explode. 
This is far more common with lithium batteries but I have seen it from 
bench supplies being connected to boards with tantalums.
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