Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2016 14:50:39 -0500
Reply-To: Rob <vwrobb@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rob <vwrobb@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Friday off-T solar questions:long
In-Reply-To: <A9524B51-5434-4896-B56D-61E5A1F5BBB8@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Mppt Tracer 1210RN solar controller is not expensive & it works well. Find
it on Amazon
Rob
vwrobb@gmail.com
On Dec 9, 2016 2:43 PM, "Alistair Bell" <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Don't wire in series. You don't have an MPPT controller that will take
> advantage of the high voltage. Wire in parallel to increase Amps and not
> voltage.
>
> Ab
>
> > On Dec 9, 2016, at 8:53 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> > Following on with a simpler question... Would it be more effective to
> > connect the two panels in series...taking the older one's output directly
> > (without it's controller in the loop) and connecting that to the newer
> > panel's controller? Thanks
> >
> > On Dec 9, 2016 8:41 AM, "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > We're running off the grid in the southern California desert with two
> deep
> > cycle batteries and two solar panels. One panel is ancient, with a dull
> > pebble front and a 4 post controller, about 3' square.
> > We had only that one, for a few prior winter seasons, and it often didn't
> > keep up, though our power requirements are low...Last winter we got a
> > second panel, modern, with a second controller, and I connected that
> right
> > to the original panel's controller, which connects to the batteries.
> This
> > set up works OK now, but it's "messy". A lot of connections, two
> different
> > controllers, wires and panels to move around and keep upright in the
> wind,
> > etc. So, I'm trying to "Fix" it.
> > I'm an electrical dunce. That being said, I've just taken the older
> > panel and it's controller out of the system, thinking that it may be
> > inhibiting the other panel's electrical input to the batteries. My
> > digital meter ( I have two, and they match numbers) shows around 17v when
> > I check at either panel, or when connected like I said up top, same
> > reading...both inline(?).
> > Ànyone have any suggestions for an effective way to connect all this up?
> > Or to measure the input into our batteries? It seems to be putting a
> little
> > less power back into the batteries, using only the newer panel alone,
> but
> > I have no clue how to verify that, other than a dorky multiple LED test
> > panel (like the westie unit) or my digital multimeter...but the digital
> > meter and different sun intensities, day to day has got me stumped.
> > Currently(not a pun) in light overcast, I'm reading 12.87v at the
> > batteries, with the voltage going up about 1/100th each few seconds.
> > Some numbers for the newer panel, the older one I have no available
> > data.... Panel says: 75 watts. 16.6v. 7.5 amps. The 2 batteries are
> > larger dual purpose marine/RV in good condition.
> > ?😁
>
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