Wiring in additional solar panel (2 Viewers)

[Mike4727]

I have 80w panel on my camper roof that charges hab and cab batteries thru a basic looking Italian controller. In preparation for extended winter touring I have fitted another panel 150w, I am planning to wire this thru it's own controller direct to the hab battery, is there any potential problem with this strategy ?

 

[pappajohn]

Only thing I can think of is one panel (either one) will see the others charge voltage at the battery and assume the battery is charged thus reducing charge current.
Only guessing as never had more than one panel.

 

[Mike4727]

Thanks for that, I also wondered about that. I think I will disconnect the existing controller from hab battery and let that just charge the starter, then wire the 150w and new controller to the hab battery.

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[138go]

No point the cab battery cannot use all that power. If you are buying a controller just buy a higher power version perhaps 30A and let it get on with the job.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you're buying a new controller get one that also trickle charges the engine battery. Like Votronic duo 250

 

[Lenny HB]

I agree use a decent single MPPT controller either a dual output one or a single output one with a solar split charge relay feeding the engine battery.
To make wiring easy you can parallel them on the roof using MC4 connectors.

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[Mike4727]

Thanks guys, I already have a new controller for the new panel so will go ahead with the plan as above and see how it works out - will update later in the year, thanks for all the input.