Recent content by ekarlson

The MPPT is a 75/15 from Victron - its mostly the configuration of the portal solar array that governs the 18V 10A config. I've yet to find a portable array that is wired in series instead of parallel. I have considered trying to rewire the portable array, but not clear that can be done...

I am in the process of revamping the solar build on my trailer and as part of that have been looking at adding a few safety improvements. In particular, I installed an SAE solar port through the side of my trailer to support connecting a portable solar panel to augment the panels on my roof...

I think it comes down to the fact that the distribution of cells to bypass diodes in uneven. That aberrant case happened when I shaded 12 of the cells in a string of 24. It does not work out the same as shading all 12 cells in a string of 12. The following diagrams show what I believe to be...

I think the interesting observation is that shade on any part of one panel in the parallel array essentially removed that panel's contribution to the total power. But for serial arrays, the results can be better or worse than parallel depending on whether one is lucky or unlucky with respect to...

So the replacement panel arrived today, and I confirmed that the wiring is correct - 2 bypass diodes across 3 connectors with all connectors wired into the PV array. the setup for the testing went as follows: Two Renogy RNG-100D-SS 100W panels, each with two fully wired bypass diodes 36 PV...

I was looking at the post that Will Prowse did showing the impact of shade on his serial arrays and I think I've realized where the issue lies and why I got apparently different results in my testing. My arrays are tiny - 2 panels. Mr Prowse's arrays were much larger - 10 panels. The short...

Hm - actually, thinking about it more the serial results do not make sense to me now. Serial arrays work with matched current and aggregate voltage. But current is proportional to the number of illuminated cells. So in a panel with multiple strings separated by bypass diodes, when some cells...

I am quite certainty that the panel is wired incorrectly because the other panel, also a Renogy RNG100D-SS, does have a connection on the center connector - see attached pic. Also, it makes no sense to use 2 diodes to create a single bypass - pointless increase in cost/complexity in constructing...

In the arrays constructed here, how are the bypass diodes arranged? In my testing (with a far smaller number of panels) I found that different shade patterns had wildly varying impacts depending on how the shade crossed PV cells that were covered by the same bypass diode. (edit) I was thinking...

I was just looking at extending the PV array on my trailer to use three panels and was considering whether to wire the panels in series or parallel. I had seen all sort of posts making claims both ways - serial is better because it boosts voltage and allows charging under low-light conditions -...

I just finished converting my trailer from lead-acid to lithium/solar/inverter. The original equipment was a 100W solar panel onthe roof, a 10A BlueSolar Lite PWM from Victron Energy in the forward storage compartment and a WFCO WF-8735 for the power center AC/DC converter with the 12V from the...

I tried the DCC30S unit when I was modifying my trailer for lithium as I like the single-unit design for DC-DC and MPPT. I also bought the bluetooth module to provide for bluetooth monitoring/config. While I think the unit physically did what it should, I found the bluetooth app to be a...

I am in the final stages of getting my solar, lithium, inverter setup going for my RV and I am having difficulty finding the products I would need to solve the shore-line/inverter to ATS to AC/DC charger wiring. I cannot be the first person to want to do this and I am hoping that someone here...

In my case (an Apex Nano 194BHS) I know that one of the AC breakers goes to the AC/DC converter because that is how the panel is wired from the factory (its a WFCO WF-8735 power center). That leaves two breakers that service a fridge, microwave, A/C, outlets and a GFCI module somewhere...

Yes, if one puts in an inverter you have to re-wire the AC input the the panel's AC/DC converter such that it runs off the shoreline ahead of the ATS. It is a rather funky space back behind that panel next to the power center, but I think I can build a small platform, move some strung wires to...