Panels in PV produce the same output

Hi. Total newbie is here.
Sounds silly, but after ea panel of showing producing 80 W and connecting them (2) in parallel, the total output is still 80 W (instead of ~160 W).
Few details. Obviously, I checked for faulty connections. Ea of them connected individually to the +Y and -Y splitter gives 80W just fine. And when both are inserted into the same 2 Ys (+ to + Y and - to - Y) the output is still 80 W.
Can not imagine what am I missing?
Would appreciate your insights.

Parallel: current (amps) doubles.
Series: voltage doubles.

DIYrich said:

Parallel: current (amps) doubles.
Series: voltage doubles.

Click to expand...

But either way, total wattage should add up.

Russell999 said:

Hi. Total newbie is here.
Sounds silly, but after ea panel of showing producing 80 W and connecting them (2) in parallel, the total output is still 80 W (instead of ~160 W).
Few details. Obviously, I checked for faulty connections. Ea of them connected individually to the +Y and -Y splitter gives 80W just fine. And when both are inserted into the same 2 Ys (+ to + Y and - to - Y) the output is still 80 W.
Can not imagine what am I missing?
Would appreciate your insights.

Click to expand...

How are you testing the output wattage?
Maybe your Y splitter if faulty?

Russell999 said:

Hi. Total newbie is here.
Sounds silly, but after ea panel of showing producing 80 W and connecting them (2) in parallel, the total output is still 80 W (instead of ~160 W).
Few details. Obviously, I checked for faulty connections. Ea of them connected individually to the +Y and -Y splitter gives 80W just fine. And when both are inserted into the same 2 Ys (+ to + Y and - to - Y) the output is still 80 W.
Can not imagine what am I missing?
Would appreciate your insights.

Click to expand...

And welcome to the forum.

meetyg said:

How are you testing the output wattage?
Maybe your Y splitter if faulty?

Click to expand...

Hi. I use Portable 300W Power Station with display of in and out ( https://share.temu.com/q20yg7OYssA).

From the pics, that unit says 90 Watts max on the DC input. It likely cannot get over 80 due to the particulars of your specific solar panel.

bolhuijo said:

From the pics, that unit says 90 Watts max on the DC input. It likely cannot get over 80 due to the particulars of your specific solar panel.

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Geez, it's so ... lol. Good eye and TY!
After the post I also looked at this limitation. But thought it should show if not all 160 but the max 90, right? But I guess it is the most reasonable explanation. So, what would you suggest to use for measurements?
TY

Russell999 said:

But thought it should show if not all 160 but the max 90, right? But I guess it is the most reasonable explanation. So, what would you suggest to use for measurements?

Click to expand...

I'm educated-guessing here, but it also says 90 Watts at 10-30 Volts. I suspect it has a 3 Amp limit and you will only reach 90 Watts if your source can put out 30 Volts (30V x 3A = 90W). When you plug in your solar panel the box adjusts its load to limit the input to 3A. Maybe your panel in full sun only generates 27 Volts at 3A (80W) which is not quite at the maximum power point for the panel. Adding a 2nd panel in parallel just makes more current available but the box is still limiting the input to not exceed 3A.
I would use a DMM to measure the voltage and the current to test this theory. The label on the solar panel may also tell you the voltage and current at maximum power.

Welcome to the forum.

Since you already have the equipment I would recommend aiming one panel S, the other SW or SE. This will allow you to make power longer.