Why fit a diode inline from solar regulator (1 Viewer)

[2657]

I have a 20w mountable framed panel.

So have I, foldable, used it to keep the 5'er batteries topped up when we stored it for a couple of months in France, not used it for a few years.

 

[fred flintstone]

Slightly off topic, 40W solar panels are not going to give you anything like enough power. I would consider changing them to something a lot bigger.

I'm gonna rip em off and put 2 x 100w panels on.
I am throwing the regulator in the bin and fitting it like it should be with a Schaudt a LR 1218. As soon as I figure where all the wires go

 

[PhilandMena]

Yes, you will be much better with 200W and even better still with 300W......or more!

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[PhilandMena]

So have I, foldable, used it to keep the 5'er batteries topped up when we stored it for a couple of months in France, not used it for a few years.

I have this in addition to the 125W fitted to my roof.

http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/...ny-other-12V-system---German-solar-cells.html

I measured the current going to my leisure batteries last week and was getting a total of 8 amps and it was not the brightest of days, so very chuffed with that.

 

[andy63]

I have this in addition to the 125W fitted to my roof.

http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/...ny-other-12V-system---German-solar-cells.html

I measured the current going to my leisure batteries last week and was getting a total of 8 amps and it was not the brightest of days, so very chuffed with that.

Hi pill. . How does that work... I'm assuming your fixed panel and portable both have their own and different regulators.. and the regulator with the higher voltage would do the charging..
Just curious as I have a 80w portable which could be plugged in but assumed my fixed 100w panel with its mppt controller would prevent the 80w with its pwm controller from working...
Ta Andy. .

 

[PhilandMena]

Good question Andy ! I was told on Shell Island by an informed Funster that if you had two different S.P. controllers they would fight against each other and only one would work. I was also told by Jaws (who is a S.P. specialist) that I had nothing to fear and carry on using it. My own thoughts were that the leisure batteries would call for x amount of current from one of the controllers and if this did supply enough it would seek more from the other controller (If fitted)(My suitcase SP has it's own MPPT controller fitted on the back)). Anyway, last week I fitted this. http://www.nasamarine.com/product/bm-1-bluetooth/ which enabled me to measure the current going to and from my Leisure batteries and by switching everything off (confirmed by 0.0 Amp draw on batteries) and then switching services on one at a time I could measure the draw for each Item (The roof mounted SP was covered up at this stage). With everthing off I then uncovered the roof mounted SP and got a reading of between 1.2 Amps and 4 Amps (Sunny with clouds) I then connected the suitcase SP and the input doubles going from 2.4 - 8 Amps and my take was the batteries were looking to accept as much current as available and took from both SP. So, if I switch things on like fridge, tv, heater etc during the day off hook up both SP if connected will come into play.
Hope that makes sense.

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[Steve]

Interesting, i have played around with the same sort of set up and when two separate sp's and controllers are used they will both charge to start when there is a big voltage difference but then one would see the voltage coming out of the other controller and not the battery voltage and reduce its output, but still work. All of the controllers need to be set with the same charging profile or be able see the battery voltage not the output from the other controller. There is quiet a lot on the web about this so its good to have a read up. But you can still get the batteries up to a good state of charge usually. using the same make and type of controller is going to get the best results and controllers with battery sensing are best as you will get full power from both or more arrays.
Steve

 

[wizzer59]

Frankly, I am not interested in the least bit in what one needed/fitted/used years ago.

I am interested in now.

I have lived in a van fulltime for nearly thirty years and have fitted and used solar panels for twenty of them.

I have never fitted an in-line diode.

Mind you, I have never had a habitation check, never weighed my van, don't use a sign thingy on my bike rack and drive in bare feet in Spain...

Just saying


JJ

Is that compulsory?

 

[JJ]

Is that compulsory?

No... it is illegal and as the "Worriers" on here will tell you, it will lead to you being thrown into a filthy, Spanish jail or fined by a policeman with a gun who needs to make up the monthly quota of cash taken off tourists...

JJ

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[funflair]

Hi pill. . How does that work... I'm assuming your fixed panel and portable both have their own and different regulators.. and the regulator with the higher voltage would do the charging..
Just curious as I have a 80w portable which could be plugged in but assumed my fixed 100w panel with its mppt controller would prevent the 80w with its pwm controller from working...
Ta Andy. .

Hi Andy

We have three matched panels on one controller and a fourth on its own controller, as long as there is more charge demand than one controller can supply they both work to full potential, when the battery bank nears charge and the controllers start to cut back the smaller one goes to sleep and let's the other one take over, I took advice from Votronic before doing this and they said it was perfectly OK and it is.

Martin

 

[wizzer59]

No... it is illegal and as the "Worriers" on here will tell you, it will lead to you being thrown into a filthy, Spanish jail or fined by a policeman with a gun who needs to make up the monthly quota of cash taken off tourists...

JJ

Oh dear SWMBO won't let me wear shoes in the MH so are socks ok? fairly clean socks of course, I'm not allowed dirty ones

 

[andy63]

Hi Andy

We have three matched panels on one controller and a fourth on its own controller, as long as there is more charge demand than one controller can supply they both work to full potential, when the battery bank nears charge and the controllers start to cut back the smaller one goes to sleep and let's the other one take over, I took advice from Votronic before doing this and they said it was perfectly OK and it is.

Martin

Cheers Martin Steve and phill ...that makes sense. .. basically if there is sufficient load and demad the 2nd controller will supply current...
Just I have a portable 80w but installed a 100w fixed and don't think I've seen the portable contributing... but it hasn't been used much and maybe not sufficient load at the time.. also the controller types are didfferent. .ie pwm and mppt...
Thanks again ..
Andy..

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[PhilandMena]

My controllers are also different, one a Sargent factory fitted and the one on the suitcase, a MPPT type.