can I add a secondary solar system? (1 Viewer)

biglamin

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Oct 26, 2016
21
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yorkshire
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coachbuilt
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since 2007
my 2014 autosleeper has an installed solar system - don't know what size as it was there when we bought the van. the dealer reckons it could be an 80w as this was an upgrade offered at the time the van was new. We have two 110 leisure batteries which don't seem to hold their power - especially when compared to our previous van when 130w kept them fully charged permanently

anyway,can I simply add an independent solar system directly to the batteries, but in addition to the existing system going through the seargant control? I thing this system allows only for a max 120w of power
 
Nov 18, 2011
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Why not i did just hooked up another one to the existing system
as long as it is secure its not hard to do with modern materials
i will be adding another one when i get one cheep enough
bill
 

magicsurfbus

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Oct 11, 2010
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Amazing thread title - I thought for a minute God had written it.

Maybe have a word with Prof. Steven Hawking?

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OP
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B

biglamin

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Oct 26, 2016
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coachbuilt
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since 2007
lol magicsurfbus!!!!
cheers Wildbill but I don't want to add to the existing system. want a bigger panel than this allows
 
R

Robert Clark

Deleted User
Yes, you can have multiple systems, connected via their own controller.
This is now Vanbitz connected my two solar panels, each with their own controller
 
Nov 18, 2011
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lol magicsurfbus!!!!
cheers Wildbill but I don't want to add to the existing system. want a bigger panel than this allows
look like a new start then new controller but existing wiring could well be utilized so no hole cutting or drilling to do
would be interested in your old on when you do up grade
bill

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funflair

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Dec 11, 2013
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Two systems on ours, no problem, but both go straight to batteries.

Martin
 

two

Aug 4, 2011
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Two independent systems are better than one, due to resilience.

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andy63

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Jan 19, 2014
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This keeps coming up... it is obviously possible and works but I think it needs a bit thought to make sure you get the best from both systems..
Not a problem if the batteries are loaded and both systems will feed into it.. but I keep thinking it' possible for one system not to contribute if the controllers are miss matched and the batteries are only taking a charge...
The controller with the higher voltage will do the work, where as
If it was one system the batteries might benefit from a slightly higher charge current ... most probably splitting hairs but thats' what I think...
I'll be put right shortly I'm sure..:D
Andy.
 
Oct 8, 2014
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It isn't an aeroplane. Or a spaceship :D
Aircraft often have "triplex" ( ie 3) systems monitoring sensors and instruments. If you have two sensors monitoring something, and get different results, then which one is right? A modern triplex system will allow a computer to determine if one of the sensors is faulty.

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Minxy

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Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Before going down the route of installing more solar panels why not check the state of your actual batteries ... if they are not holding charge as well as your previous MH then it may simply be that they are stuffed and need replacing.
 

funflair

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Dec 11, 2013
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This keeps coming up... it is obviously possible and works but I think it needs a bit thought to make sure you get the best from both systems..
Not a problem if the batteries are loaded and both systems will feed into it.. but I keep thinking it' possible for one system not to contribute if the controllers are miss matched and the batteries are only taking a charge...
The controller with the higher voltage will do the work, where as
If it was one system the batteries might benefit from a slightly higher charge current ... most probably splitting hairs but thats' what I think...
I'll be put right shortly I'm sure..:D
Andy.
Andy you are right that one controller will start to cut back when it sees that the voltage is high enough, but at this point a single controller would give the amps to maintain charging voltage, just my thoughts.

Martin
 

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