dixonge
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2021
- Messages
- 190
For a long time our typical daily use was approximately 10% of our available 460ah. Panels + controller recharged easily.
Recently I upgraded our PWM controller to a Victron Smartsolar 100/30 mppt controller. A couple of days later I rewired my panels from parallel to series/parallel. Most days the voltage coming off the panels is 34-35v and around 20amps to the batteries. Theoretically this configuration is much more efficient. In practice, not so much.
Our usage is minimal. More importantly, our usage did not *change* after this upgrade! No microwaves or A/C. All lighting is LED. We typically run a mini-pc, two modems, one router. TV (brand new low-energy) usage is 1-2 hours/day. We charge devices (phones, watches, laptop, occasionally the tablet). Fridge runs on propane. Don't run the water heater.
The weather has been partly hazy, but we've had full sun almost every day. This morning the batteries are at 70%, -210Ah according to the battery monitor. They are losing the charge/draw battle, slowly.
I am tempted to rewire the solar panels back to parallel. I am also tempted to reroute the solar panels through the PWM controller.
Am I crazy in thinking that my recent 'upgrade' has, in fact, *down*-graded my system's ability to charge?
Recently I upgraded our PWM controller to a Victron Smartsolar 100/30 mppt controller. A couple of days later I rewired my panels from parallel to series/parallel. Most days the voltage coming off the panels is 34-35v and around 20amps to the batteries. Theoretically this configuration is much more efficient. In practice, not so much.
Our usage is minimal. More importantly, our usage did not *change* after this upgrade! No microwaves or A/C. All lighting is LED. We typically run a mini-pc, two modems, one router. TV (brand new low-energy) usage is 1-2 hours/day. We charge devices (phones, watches, laptop, occasionally the tablet). Fridge runs on propane. Don't run the water heater.
The weather has been partly hazy, but we've had full sun almost every day. This morning the batteries are at 70%, -210Ah according to the battery monitor. They are losing the charge/draw battle, slowly.
I am tempted to rewire the solar panels back to parallel. I am also tempted to reroute the solar panels through the PWM controller.
Am I crazy in thinking that my recent 'upgrade' has, in fact, *down*-graded my system's ability to charge?