can anybody help with the following proposed Solar setup.
I currently have a portable 180W Folding Portable Solar Kit. When setup it is connected to a 50 Amp Anderson Plug on the van's A Frame which charges 2 x 100Ah batteries in the front boot.
occassionally, I am finding that when setup in the sun they are not completely charging the batteries. To rectify the problem, I want to permanently fix another 200W panel on the roof. The was pre wired for future Solar installation when manufactured. From the junction box on the roof, it is wired down to the front boot.
checking where to position the new panel/s on the roof, I find that I only have an area 800 x 2000.
checking panel sizes on the Internet, I am finding that, to try and get away by only using one panel, it's size is 1830 x 808cm, being to wide. So now, I intend using 2 x 100W (can only find them as a Folding Panel Kit) each panel being 930 x 670, then fix them side by side On mounting blocks.
Now, firstly my original Portable Solar Kit, I believe I have to remove its Regulator (read an article stating tha I can't use two Regulators - conflict with each other) and connect them in 'parallel' using MC4 T connectors.
Then the new panels on the roof, also connect them in 'parallel' with MC4 T connectors. After mounting on the roof, connect to the wires in the roof's mounting block which lead down into the front boot. In the boot use another pair of MC4T connectors sending a new line to the outside of the van to connect (50Amp Anderson Plug) to the original Portable 180W Solar Panels. From the other end of the MC4 T connectors, run wires to a 30 Amp MPPT Regulator.
from the Regulator do I either run the 'positive' from the Regulator to the 'positive' on one battery and the 'negative on the second battery. OR from the Regulator, do I connect a 'positive' to both batteries and 'negative' to both batteries.
Its a lengthy post, but any help appreciated. Even a name & number contact also appreciated.
MarKar wrote:1.. checking where to position the new panel/s on the roof, I find that I only have an area 800 x 2000.
checking panel sizes on the Internet, I am finding that, to try and get away by only using one panel, it's size is 1830 x 808cm, being to wide. So now, I intend using 2 x 100W (can only find them as a Folding Panel Kit) each panel being 930 x 670, then fix them side by side On mounting blocks.
2.. Now, firstly my original Portable Solar Kit, I believe I have to remove its Regulator (read an article stating tha I can't use two Regulators - conflict with each other) and connect them in 'parallel' using MC4 T connectors.
3.. From the other end of the MC4 T connectors, run wires to a 30 Amp MPPT Regulator.
4.. from the Regulator do I either run the 'positive' from the Regulator to the 'positive' on one battery and the 'negative on the second battery. OR from the Regulator, do I connect a 'positive' to both batteries and 'negative' to both batteries.
1.. If you have a bit of room elsewhere on the roof you can also put an extra panel there. Also if that 2000- x 800 goes hard up to a roof mounted air conditioner then you will have to take shading from it and anything else on the roof. All you have to do is shade a few cells in the panel and the whole panel will close down. The shade from a Winegard antenna head will severely reduce a panels output. Consider having panels on both ends of the van.
2.. It's not a case of regulators "fighting each other." What happens is the simple regulator on the panel drops the panels output to a voltage that is too low to drive the second controller.
3.. I would only be using an MPPT regulator if all the panels are the same brand and type and also mounted together.The MPPT controller periodically measures how the panels are performing. If you have different panels they will not work in harmony. If you have a PWM controller each panel will offer its full power to the controller, the controller will take the whole lot when it is working flat out and as the battery charge comes up to near full the controller will just take what it needs from the panels to doits job.
4.. You will probably have the batteries paralleled with very heavy straps (6 gauge or bigger.) Some will argue that with heavy connections it does not matter if you connect your controller to one battery only. Others will advise you to connect one controller lead to one battery and the other lead to the second battery. How has your load been connected, this is sort of the same question around how to do it. To be on the safe side you can connect one lead of your controller and also one lead of your load to different batteries. The theory of doing this is you will get equal voltage drops in each battery interconnection and thus balance your batteries better.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Don't matter where the panels are or are not mounted. as long as they match in voltage. Ampage irrelavant.
I've had mixed ampage panels on my yachts and caravans for well over 30 yrs. some are still going (35yrs now)
( 2 x 40 w and 1x 50w feeding boat and car wing battery's on carport roof)
The main thing I find is HEAVY Plus... Cable. and Regulator big enough to take all you got plus a bit more in case you increase.
and mount reg as close to battery's as poss. NOT at panel ends.
With two reg's. as long as they feeding separate battery banks. isolated. shouldn't be a problem.
Mine are 105 AGM for caravan with 80w panel. and 2 x 105AGM through 200w panel for fridge with three way sw to bridge when necessary.
Just using up gear I have from 30 plus yrs of Yachttie days.
I have two Inverters and two sets of panels on roof at home both feeding into my grid through same power box.
and a hot water evac tubes system on roof feeding extra hot water to pool as well
topping up pool heaters.
The solar runs house. With spare inv and panels to Heat pump on Pool, keeping it at 32deg all yr
plus we get $600 cash back annually too. worked out well
If you use a sq wave Inverter for your 240 TV Lappie Phones etc. a good quality smart regulator will do the job.
