Solar Advice Please (1 Viewer)

[Musicboy]

I have a 80w solar in use . Just aquire a 140w....
Can you join the two cables together into one ,then through to the regulator.
& I reckon my factory fitted reg has embossed 100 so I reckon would have to upgrade that .
I run 2 x 100amphr leisure batteries .
I was hoping to do the job myself but the more I think about it , it gets a bit tech & want to do it right ...
ohh. No probs fitting to the roof
Many thanks .

 

[SandraL]

Yes you can but will need to add a blocking diode for each panel assuming orignal hasnt got one and panels are in parrallel.. Plus check controller is big enough for the extra current.

 

[DBK]

The options are to connect them in series or in parallel. There are arguments in favour of both but I connected mine in series because that's what the regulator manufacturer recommended.
Your controller might need to be replaced, do you know the make and model? If it needs changing I would suggest the Victron 75/15 would be a good option.

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[34127]

If connecting the panels in series then check that the controller can handle the higher input voltage.

 

[Musicboy]

Thanks very much everyone ...
my regulator is an Alden SPS 110...
110WP 12V - 7A....
I assume that max 110watts ?????
Could you explain the BLOCKING DIODE
Also running in parrallel or series ... PLEASE. ..Ta ...

 

[funflair]

Thanks very much everyone ...
my regulator is an Alden SPS 110...
110WP 12V - 7A....
I assume that max 110watts ?????
Could you explain the BLOCKING DIODE
Also running in parrallel or series ... PLEASE. ..Ta ...

Your controller will only handle a 110watt panel max,

The blocking diodes are like a non return/one way valve to stop you batteries flattening through the panels at night, they should be fitted as standard on most panels "I think"

The series thing would be one panel running +ve to -ve of the other panel making the voltage the sum of the two, parallel would be +ve to +ve and -ve to -ve the the voltage would be the single panel volts only.

I might be tempted to put the new panel on a new controller then you are not mixing old a new of different spec, that's what I did when I added some more to our van, MPPT controller

Martin

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[Musicboy]

Ok that's great thanks ... Google searched the MPPT Controller which seems to be good to replace mine ....
Great info ta ... Sort of got it now .... & ready to have a fix ....
cheers

 

[DBK]

Martin's suggestion about giving the new panel it's own controller is a good one - it also gets around the shading issue becasue if one panel is shaded the other will continue to work. Of course, you will need the space to mount two controllers.

 

[Musicboy]

Ok . Thanks all ... Good info ...

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[Lenny HB]

If using a single controller it is best to have the panels wired in parallel, if wired in series if one panel is in shade use lose the output from both panels.