diy solar

diy solar

Solar panel upgrade

kjohnson421

New Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2024
Messages
4
Location
US
Newbie here! I've read several posts and don't really see an answer to my question, so figured I'd post here.

Looking to add some additional solar panels to our Montana HIgh Country RV. Our High Country has the 200i SolarFlex package with inverter that was factory installed. So, from the factory it came with a single 200 watt solar panel. Below is a URL with a diagram that was published by Keystone for this system.

The thing I'm really struggling with is what solar panel can I add to this. Looking at the panel in the diagram from Keystone, it appears this is a 24V 200 watt panel. I purchased a 12V 200W Renogy panel not knowing this was 24v (or so it appears). Since the new panel and existing panel are matched wattages, but different voltages, can I just hook these up in series? Is there any negative impact from doing this?

SolarFlex 200i Diagram
 
I got a security alert when I tried the link to your system diagram.

Generally speaking, it is a bad idea to put different panels in series. Without more details on both of the panels, it is hard to say how well it will work.

As a general rule of thumb, the Imp the system will see will be the lower of the two panels. As a wild ball-park you will get 300W or less (Total) if you add your new panel in series with the old one.
 
I just opened with no issues-kinda strange. I’ve attached the image below, so hopefully you can see it. The existing panel came from the Keystone factory, so hard to find specs on it. The drawing they provided has the VOC, which is what lead me to believe it was a 24v panel. Below that are the specs from Renogy on the 12V panel I bought, which has a much lower VOC. I don’t see a 200W 24v panel on the Renogy website. Not sure what would be the best direction to proceed here. 🤦‍♂️

IMG_0166.jpeg



IMG_0167.jpeg
 
Your 15A controller can use another 175 watts, so as long as the combined voltages are less than the scc max limit it will work.
It will not work great, but it indeed will work.
If it were me, I’d replace it all, and get as much wattage as I could fit up there with matched panels, and get a scc that is better matched to my array, then start upgrading the batteries.
 
I’m planning on replacing the controller, as it will be a limiting factor. We really don’t have a need for more solar at the moment. We’re getting the roof replaced, so figured we’d add an additional panel when they did the roof.

The below panel looks very similar in specs to the existing panel. Debating installing that panel and getting a parallel adapter and then swapping out the controller. Trying to be budget conscious, as it’s not something we will use much. If we want to expand later we can start running the panels in series.
IMG_0168.jpeg
 

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top