second solar panel, possible?

[Pechris]

Hi all, We have a 140w solar panel on the roof and a controller inside wardrobe. I was wondering if it is ok to connect a second portable one as well to increase the amount of charge,
Would the portable one be connected straight to the battery?
Any advice please as I know nothing!

 

[Al n Val]

usually a portable one has its own controller so just clip it onto your batteries if it has, they are quite often the cheaper type and not MPPT controllers but would still be ok

 

[Pechris]

Thanks for that so n val

 

[tonka]

My understanding is that having 2 controllers onto one battery may confuse the charge rate, so neither could work as good as they should.
Better quality MPPT controllers may handle it ok but the cheaper PWM ones often supplied with postable panels may not.
Personally i would spend the cash on a second fitted panel and if needed upgrade the controller.
No faffing about then.

Sure someone with better knowledge will comment..

 

[Jev88]

Joining two (or more) similar panels is fine. Just check your controller can handle the potential ampage being produced.
Many people run more than one controller for multiple panels and connect direct to battery. MPPT better than PWM but only buy branded (Votronic, Victron, Sterling etc...) not cheap crap from fleabay and amazzon.

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[MisterB]

i too am interested in the answer to this question. the OP asked about adding an additional panel and if it was possible to connect direct to the battery (or through the controller already in situ)

my questions are
if you connect an additional panel to the controller, should it just be wired direct to the existing controller (assuming it is within its limits, after removing or bypassing the folding panels controller) or integrated into the wiring to make it part of a circuit?

if it was just attached via crocodile clips to the battery through its own controller wouldnt it just increase the amount of amps going into the battery?

 

[Jev88]

i too am interested in the answer to this question. the OP asked about adding an additional panel and if it was possible to connect direct to the battery (or through the controller already in situ)

my questions are
if you connect an additional panel to the controller, should it just be wired direct to the existing controller (assuming it is within its limits, after removing or bypassing the folding panels controller) or integrated into the wiring to make it part of a circuit?

if it was just attached via crocodile clips to the battery through its own controller wouldnt it just increase the amount of amps going into the battery?

Solar panels over 10 watts need a dedicated controller like a Victron or Votronic unit.

Some onboard charging units have ports for solar but are often limited to only a 150watt(?) panel for instance.
You can mount extra panels in series and in parallel - there are lots of arguments for both methods but for simplicity one cable from controller up to roof and then a T piece to run cables to each panel is fine (parallel).

 

[MisterB]

Solar panels over 10 watts need a dedicated controller like a Victron or Votronic unit.

Some onboard charging units have ports for solar but are often limited to only a 150watt(?) panel for instance.
You can mount extra panels in series and in parallel - there are lots of arguments for both methods but for simplicity one cable from controller up to roof and then a T piece to run cables to each panel is fine (parallel).

I think I may have confused you, I was referring to adding folding solar panels on a temp basis, not adding additional panels to the roof.

Basically just arriving on site and plugging in additional solar (from where they are stored in one of the lockers) - the reason for this would be to help charge a large battery bank where limited roof space doesn't allow additional panels to be fitted permanently.

 

[Jev88]

I think I may have confused you, I was referring to adding folding solar panels on a temp basis, not adding additional panels to the roof.

Basically just arriving on site and plugging in additional solar (from where they are stored in one of the lockers) - the reason for this would be to help charge a large battery bank where limited roof space doesn't allow additional panels to be fitted permanently.

ECOworthy make both types of panel

folding