Qn, If I plug the kings 200w blanket into the Anderson plug that goes to the van battery will it would OK in conjunction with the van regulator?
-- Edited by oldbloke on Wednesday 15th of June 2022 09:50:40 PM
Whenarewethere said
10:12 PM Jun 15, 2022
Two MPPT controllers are ok & not ok.
I have a Victron 100/20 which replaced my 75/10. I did a test with my 6 panels, 2 into the 75/10 & 4 into the 100/20. Both these controllers can have their voltage adjusted very accurately, but I just used them as is an this was simply a basic test.
It turned out that the slight difference in voltage & the 100/20 was switching off. It would be best to adjust the smaller controller to switch off first.
This process would be time consuming as you need to test the voltage of both controllers while charging near float charge. Adjust voltage, drain batteries a bit, then do it all again.
Also make sure both controller are always the same distance from the battery. If you add an extension lead on one controller the slight increase in resistance will change everything.
So you need to adjust the voltage going into float so the smaller controller in not controlling the larger one.
oldbloke said
12:39 AM Jun 16, 2022
See my first post, van has a PWM. Kings has a MPPT
Whenarewethere said
07:35 AM Jun 16, 2022
It is unlikely that both have identical voltage so one will turn off the other. Murphy's Law that it is the wrong one. You will just need to test & measure that each are charging charging.
TimTim said
08:52 AM Jun 16, 2022
Obviously it would be good if you could set the charging parameters on one of the controllers so that each are the same or otherwise as Whenarewethere said one controller may turn off before the other but this may not necessarily be an issue. Give it a try and see how the system works as you arent going to blo yourself up.
As previously stated, rather than using the Anderson plug on the drawbar, buy or make one of these so you can connect both controllers close to the battery.
-- Edited by TimTim on Thursday 16th of June 2022 08:54:16 AM
oldbloke said
09:52 AM Jun 16, 2022
TimTim wrote:
Obviously it would be good if you could set the charging parameters on one of the controllers so that each are the same or otherwise as Whenarewethere said one controller may turn off before the other but this may not necessarily be an issue. Give it a try and see how the system works as you arent going to blo yourself up.
As previously stated, rather than using the Anderson plug on the drawbar, buy or make one of these so you can connect both controllers close to the battery.
-- Edited by TimTim on Thursday 16th of June 2022 08:54:16 AM
Sooo, just means I might lose the pwr from one panel as the battery gets close to 100% ??
It that right. ??
Whenarewethere said
12:20 PM Jun 16, 2022
Yes.
If one switches off in a short period of time before the other it's not an issue. But unless you test everything, one could be switching off long before the other.
The larger the battery the longer the one controller is going to continue by itself, & now obviously even slower as only one controller is charging.
So it will be important to get the smaller controller to switch off first and at a minimum time frame between the two. So probably a fair bit of measuring cycles from absorption to float while checking volts & amps regularly on each controller. A DC clamp meter will make this a lot easier.
If both controllers are Bluetooth then you can monitor the data on the phone. I had each of my Victron controllers on a separate phone so I could easily simultaneously monitor both controllers.
oldbloke said
02:26 PM Jun 16, 2022
Thankyou. You have been very helpful. Just picked up the blanket. $270 and just 300 yards away. Lol. Will probably try it in a couple of days.
When we get home in abt 8 weeks I will make a light weight frame of some sort for it.
TimTim said
08:52 PM Jun 16, 2022
Well we are all here to help each other so if you can let us know how it all works out that would be helpful
Good luck
oldbloke said
09:40 PM Jun 16, 2022
Will do. But I'm afraid it will be subjective
woofta and precious said
07:50 PM Jun 17, 2022
oldbloke wrote:
These are available at the moment across the road from where we are staying.
$300 here but might do a deal?
We have 8 weeks of our trip left so should just about pay for its self.
BUT, how do people prop them up at an angle?
Any good?
-- Edited by oldbloke on Wednesday 15th of June 2022 02:05:07 PM
-- Edited by oldbloke on Wednesday 15th of June 2022 02:55:44 PM
I've got the XTM 200 watt blanket, and the easiest way to set them up is on the car windscreen or bonnet, and move the car 2 or 3 times to get the most from the sun.
Of course it's all good until you need to use the car...
Ruric said
03:10 PM Dec 1, 2022
Size matters in the PV world. Insolation for OZ is around 1000W/M2. Ie the energy from the Sun is 1000W over a sq M.
So multiply W x H x efficiency (approx 0.2) x 1000W and you will get your answer for any Solar Panel. This is the power the panel can provide in the sun at the correct/best angle without taking in any other external factors. So the supposed 200W flexi panel could not produce 200W but best would be 133W .
TimTim said
10:29 PM Dec 1, 2022
Interestingly, I bought an Adventure Kings 200W solar blanket to test the other week and to give to a friend if it was anywhere near the stated output specifications.
Angled to the sun on a cloudless day with temperature around 21C it managed to produce all of 75W so I promptly returned it. I had a very heated discussion with the staff member when he told me I had to bring my battery in so he could check that my setup was correct. In the end he had another staff member wheel out their testing battery and so with a cloud filled sky, without a ray of sunshine, he proceeded to test it . When asked what the problem was he told me it was a faulty solar controller. Interestingly I had tested the panels using my Victron and had even shown him the screenshot of the output but I guess that part got lost in amongst all the bullchit he was telling and me it hadnt sunk in .
Warren-Pat_01 said
12:06 AM Dec 15, 2022
Hi oldbloke,
After an experience earlier this year, I wouldn't touch that controller with a barge pole. Perhaps the one I bought was faulty - it was definitely cheap, too cheap. Once bitten, twice shy.
See my post in reply to Melissa in the ordinary Techies page (Mixing & matching solar panels,, controllers).
Whenarewethere said
12:46 AM Dec 15, 2022
Any nutcase can calculate that this so called 200 watt blanket will more than likely at best produce:
1.255 x 0.940 = 1.18m²
1.18 x 0.85 (approximate actual cell area) = 1.0m²
1.0m² x 130watts/m² = 130 watt
2 x 6m (12m) of 2.5mm² cable about 8% loss, 130 x 0.92 = 120 watts
Not exactly a Victron controller, let's say 0.8 factor, 120 x 0.8 = 96 watts.
If you can get more than 100 watts out of one of these blankets I am more than happy to be proven wrong.
The nutcases are not the sellers, they are the buyers. Do the maths, it's not difficult.
Graz said
04:09 PM Feb 22, 2023
Hi Ric
Are you still happy with your 2 x 100 watt Renogy panels as I am looking at getting the same.
Cheers
Graz
Bicyclecamper said
04:11 PM Feb 23, 2023
Graz answered this question on your next thread, but, I do now have another 100 watter, for back up, to my 80 watt portable Jaycar panels.
Custom frame for flexible panel.
Qn,
If I plug the kings 200w blanket into the Anderson plug that goes to the van battery will it would OK in conjunction with the van regulator?
-- Edited by oldbloke on Wednesday 15th of June 2022 09:50:40 PM
Two MPPT controllers are ok & not ok.
I have a Victron 100/20 which replaced my 75/10. I did a test with my 6 panels, 2 into the 75/10 & 4 into the 100/20. Both these controllers can have their voltage adjusted very accurately, but I just used them as is an this was simply a basic test.
It turned out that the slight difference in voltage & the 100/20 was switching off. It would be best to adjust the smaller controller to switch off first.
This process would be time consuming as you need to test the voltage of both controllers while charging near float charge. Adjust voltage, drain batteries a bit, then do it all again.
Also make sure both controller are always the same distance from the battery. If you add an extension lead on one controller the slight increase in resistance will change everything.
So you need to adjust the voltage going into float so the smaller controller in not controlling the larger one.
It is unlikely that both have identical voltage so one will turn off the other. Murphy's Law that it is the wrong one. You will just need to test & measure that each are charging charging.
Obviously it would be good if you could set the charging parameters on one of the controllers so that each are the same or otherwise as Whenarewethere said one controller may turn off before the other but this may not necessarily be an issue. Give it a try and see how the system works as you arent going to blo yourself up.
Andy gives a good example in his video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31aSkXvKXOQ
As previously stated, rather than using the Anderson plug on the drawbar, buy or make one of these so you can connect both controllers close to the battery.
https://www.jaycar.com.au/high-current-connector-piggyback-cable-50a-8g-r-b/p/PT4442?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItsXqn7yw-AIVHJlmAh0aBwWSEAQYAiABEgKQXfD_BwE
Good luck
-- Edited by TimTim on Thursday 16th of June 2022 08:54:16 AM
Sooo, just means I might lose the pwr from one panel as the battery gets close to 100% ??
It that right. ??
Yes.
If one switches off in a short period of time before the other it's not an issue. But unless you test everything, one could be switching off long before the other.
The larger the battery the longer the one controller is going to continue by itself, & now obviously even slower as only one controller is charging.
So it will be important to get the smaller controller to switch off first and at a minimum time frame between the two. So probably a fair bit of measuring cycles from absorption to float while checking volts & amps regularly on each controller. A DC clamp meter will make this a lot easier.
If both controllers are Bluetooth then you can monitor the data on the phone. I had each of my Victron controllers on a separate phone so I could easily simultaneously monitor both controllers.
When we get home in abt 8 weeks I will make a light weight frame of some sort for it.
Well we are all here to help each other so if you can let us know how it all works out that would be helpful
Good luck
I've got the XTM 200 watt blanket, and the easiest way to set them up is on the car windscreen or bonnet, and move the car 2 or 3 times to get the most from the sun.
Of course it's all good until you need to use the car...
Size matters in the PV world. Insolation for OZ is around 1000W/M2. Ie the energy from the Sun is 1000W over a sq M.
So multiply W x H x efficiency (approx 0.2) x 1000W and you will get your answer for any Solar Panel. This is the power the panel can provide in the sun at the correct/best angle without taking in any other external factors. So the supposed 200W flexi panel could not produce 200W but best would be 133W .
Interestingly, I bought an Adventure Kings 200W solar blanket to test the other week and to give to a friend if it was anywhere near the stated output specifications.
Angled to the sun on a cloudless day with temperature around 21C it managed to produce all of 75W so I promptly returned it. I had a very heated discussion with the staff member when he told me I had to bring my battery in so he could check that my setup was correct. In the end he had another staff member wheel out their testing battery and so with a cloud filled sky, without a ray of sunshine, he proceeded to test it
. When asked what the problem was he told me it was a faulty solar controller. Interestingly I had tested the panels using my Victron and had even shown him the screenshot of the output but I guess that part got lost in amongst all the bullchit he was telling and me it hadnt sunk in 
.
After an experience earlier this year, I wouldn't touch that controller with a barge pole. Perhaps the one I bought was faulty - it was definitely cheap, too cheap. Once bitten, twice shy.
See my post in reply to Melissa in the ordinary Techies page (Mixing & matching solar panels,, controllers).
Any nutcase can calculate that this so called 200 watt blanket will more than likely at best produce:
1.255 x 0.940 = 1.18m²
1.18 x 0.85 (approximate actual cell area) = 1.0m²
1.0m² x 130watts/m² = 130 watt
2 x 6m (12m) of 2.5mm² cable about 8% loss, 130 x 0.92 = 120 watts
Not exactly a Victron controller, let's say 0.8 factor, 120 x 0.8 = 96 watts.
If you can get more than 100 watts out of one of these blankets I am more than happy to be proven wrong.
The nutcases are not the sellers, they are the buyers. Do the maths, it's not difficult.
Hi Ric
Are you still happy with your 2 x 100 watt Renogy panels as I am looking at getting the same.
Cheers
Graz