Mixing panels

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by wpmasterdesign, Apr 23, 2017.


  1. I have purchased larger panels and now i have 60w and a 25w 12v panels just sitting and doing nothing.
    I was wandering if the 2 panels can be connected to create 85w?
    If yes should they be connected series or parralell?
     
  2. oil pan 4

    oil pan 4 Monkey+++

    It depends on the OCV of each panel, as long as they are with in 2 volts of each other they should be fine.
    Your only chance to use both at the same time is to put them in parallel.
     
    sec_monkey likes this.
  3. techsar

    techsar Monkey+++

    ...but don't expect to get a full 85 watts out of them.
     
    sec_monkey likes this.
  4. Tevin

    Tevin Monkey+++

    The short answer is yes.

    Connect them in parallel.
     
  5. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    If it were me, I would put each panel on separate MPPT Charge Controllers, and then set the Output Voltage to the same exact level... Like 13.6 Vdc for a 12 Vdc System... or 27.2 Vdc for a 24 Volt System.... This would allow for The Maximum Charging Current in to the Battery Bank from each panel,.... Different Sized Panels will have different Specs for Panel Voltage depending on illumination... This way you get the MOST from each panel....
     
    sec_monkey likes this.
  6. duane

    duane Monkey+++

    Had a cheap Harbor Freight 45 watt system, 3 15 watt panels. Use 1 panel to keep battery charged on tractor, 2 panels and an older 90 amp hour battery for led lights in a remote shed, would love to have a few smaller ones to put away for EMP storage. While it is nice to consider putting them together for more wattage, I would like another 10 small panels for remote cameras, gate openers, electric fence chargers, lights to scare off deer in garden, back up chargers for hand held radios, back ups chargers for old computers,etc. I can see almost no ends of uses for them now and even more if SHTF.
    With a cheap if not real efficient controller and an older battery, they fill dozens of uses. Have a 45 watt system with leds for emergency lights at a back up place, that also keeps the battery charged on the generator, supplies power for motion sensor lights and alerts the neighbor who watches the place. Could set it up to call me if I wanted it to and it already powers remote sensor hidden small night vision video cameras and their storage, converting it to raspberry pi 0 soon I hope.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2017
  7. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    NO
    you CAN NOT !! mix on the same charger controller .
    UNless you match VOC & VMP real close .
    Bail on the old BS 12Vdc panels
    I run 72 cell high voltage @ 45Vdc VOC type.

    12Vdc were 1970-89 era ..
    If you join mis-matched , Fire could happen
     
  8. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Wrong !!!! Huge , smaller should always be less V but Amps never limited & set to a style of charge of cells
    you will Have a voltage fight from controllers & then dead charge !!

    Or you can have a MN kid In sync mode !!
    EZ that way .
    know what you post .
    I'll be in MidNite Solar
    17722 - 67th Ave NE
    Arlington, WA 98223
    Next week ,
    Testing etc.
     
  9. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    I was taught, and go by this myself:
    Parallel Panels: Voltage should match within 10% Max VP
    Series Panels: Amperes should match within 10% Max IP
     
  10. Meadster.1

    Meadster.1 Monkey

    I guess I misspoke I'm running 4 100 watt panels in series so 72 v and paralleling 2 sets into 72 v at 11 a

    I guess I could run 6 in series so 132 v at 5.5 amp , the controller is rated at 150 v @ 98 amp. So out would be 14.4v at 30 amp
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 24, 2017
  11. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    You lost me. 4 - 12vdc panels would not be 72 vdc, if wired in series. Could you clarify your previous post, please? Or, am I missing something completely, here? For the record, I haven't had a drop of alcohol. And, I don't partake of any other drug.
     
  12. Meadster.1

    Meadster.1 Monkey

    Well I'm gonna go for the 2 x 72 volt 11 amp in , and do it tomorrow it's gonna be a nice day

    Asia 12v panels actually put out 22 voc or volts open circuit , and 18 volts mpp or maximum power point so I base my calculations on mpp but use voc for my controller limit

    Also you want more volts not more amps but remember volts will kill you , not amps !!!!!! More volts = lots better power through the wire , more amps = more resistance as in less power

    Wow Midnight's on here I've never had a real time reply from a seller - manufacturer ,,,, I'm impressed!!!!!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 24, 2017
  13. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Actually, it is the AMPs that Kill you, after you have reached a high enough Voltage, to overcome YOUR Internal Resistance..... You can live thru 50KV or even 100KV if it has no AMPs available... Think VandeGraph Generator.....
     
    Cruisin Sloth and ghrit like this.
  14. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    The reality is even between new panels made under the same manufacturing specs there will be differences , especially as time progresses in use, as will batteries and those things you run on them.
    I have a meters and switches on a switch board for each component in my system .
    My amp meter shows each panel relative to it's own capacity, rise in amperage as I add each panel on line .
    Having permanent switched in and out meters in place, can tell volumes .
    If you are trying to raise the voltage by series wiring ,thats fine but you won't increase the amperage, due to the size of the soldered links to each panel photovoltaic chip.
    The best way to raise amperage is more battery.
     
  15. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    True = 1000 %
    Spark plug zap !!!
    Sloth
     
  16. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    You must post Pictures & the stuff you used .

    Sloth
     
  17. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    We don't want This :
     
    wpmasterdesign likes this.
  18. Shoot sloth, that just looks like a good time !LMAO

    Seriously though, thank you all for helping me clarify t. I think I think I will just use each panel separately. The 25 I am going to as a maintainer for my quad charger.

    The 60 I think is perfect to run my security cameras. They only require like 5v each and the base uses 20, so with 1 battery in place I think that will be perfect.
    Thank you duane for the ideas!
     
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