check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Canegrowers rearview170 Cobb Grill Skid Row Recovery Gear Caravan Industry Association of Australia
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Solar Power -> Can I mix inputs of solar to the van?
Post Info TOPIC: Can I mix inputs of solar to the van?
vince56


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 438
Date:
Can I mix inputs of solar to the van?
Permalink  

Hi All,

Like most on here I have solar on the van roof charging batteries via a mounted regulator. I also have a portable 250W panel.

Looking for opinions whether the two can work together to charge van batteries if I were to have both in use at the same time on the same batteries, ie, will the regulators be working efficiently or will they be out of sorts with two regulators on the same job?

Cheers Vince



__________________

 

"life is too short to spend it with people who suck the happiness out of you"
Whenarewethere


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7323
Date:
Permalink  

You can, but going into absorption make sure the controllers' voltages are set in order as priority.

 

My experience:

https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t67699282/mppt-solar-controllers-in-parallel/



__________________

Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Dick0


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1020
Date:
Permalink  

Hi Vince,

You won't need the controller on the portable panel. Connect the panel so it connects to the input of the current solar controller, in parallel, and all should be fine.

If you run an Anderson plug from the controller to a suitable external location to connect the portable panel, you can then connect or disconnect the panel as required.

I am assuming the van solar panels are currently in parallel array. An MPPT solar controller is the most efficient. The portable probably has a PWM controller.



__________________

Cheers, Richard (Dick0)

"Home is where the Den is parked, Designer Orchid Special towed by Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited"

"4x250W solar panels, Epever 80A charger and 3x135Ah Voltax Prismatic LiFePO4 Batteries".
Cuppa


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1400
Date:
Permalink  

Best to do as Dicko says, but first ensure your controller is rated to handle the extra input.

__________________

A Nomadic Life (Current)    

The Big Trip (2008/9)     

vince56


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 438
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks All, I might rig up an Andersen plug input for the panel, good idea!

__________________

 

"life is too short to spend it with people who suck the happiness out of you"
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Solar Power -> Can I mix inputs of solar to the van?
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook