Hello, I have two hqst 175 watt solar panels and I have the renogy 50 amp dc-dc charge controller, along with a inverter/charger 3000w from renogy as well. I am not sure if I should be connecting my panels in parallel or series? I assume I should be leaving everything at 12v since that’s what my electrical system is based off of. But I am not sure. Thank you!
Installing solar panels in parallel or series?
- Thread starter Eileen
- Start date
You need to determine the open circuit voltage of the panels. You need to determine the max input voltage of the charger. The panels in series will add the max open circuit voltage. If it is well below the max input of the charger, then series is okay. If there is no shade on either of the panels, ever, then series is okay. Otherwise you might better use parallel.
ToadHarbor
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2020
- Messages
- 21
There seems to be some voodoo involved. Series to provide more voltage for low light conditions and line loss and then parallel to reduce current on the wiring. For instance I have a system of 6 panels and plan to do 3 in series into 2 MPPT controllers because I don't want to spend $$$ on a Victron 150/70 controller. I plan to have 2x 150/35 Victron SmartSolar MPPT's with a 100 foot line, Be aware the standard MC-4 10AWG wiring can only handle 30 amps.
ianganderton
Auckland, NZ
This post has good info on this https://www.explorist.life/solar-panels-series-vs-parallel/
ianganderton
Auckland, NZ
Have you got a dc to dc charger or a solar charge controller? Very different. One for solar one for alternator charging
I have the one that works for both. The dc-dc on-board mppt charge controller.
Ok so what is the max Voc input on that 50A MPPT Renogy?
Your panels are 24.3Voc each.
Two in Series would be 48.6Voc.
How are you connecting your panels now?
ianganderton
Auckland, NZ
Manual - https://www.renogy.com/content/RBC50D1S-G1/RBC50D1S-Manual.pdf
Quote:
2.4 Solar charging will be triggered if the PV input voltage is higher than 15V for 10 seconds.
2.5 The DCDC will stop charging if the PV input voltage is higher than 25.5V, and recover to charge when the voltage is lower than 24.5V.
2.6 The maximum solar charging for the DCDC30 is 30A and the DCDC50 is 50A.
Your panels look like they could be slightly too high avoltage for the device. It’s better to have a bit of wiggle either side to allow for either shade that will reduce the output or cold which could increase it
your only option with these panels is to install them in parallel
hope this helps
Quote:
2.4 Solar charging will be triggered if the PV input voltage is higher than 15V for 10 seconds.
2.5 The DCDC will stop charging if the PV input voltage is higher than 25.5V, and recover to charge when the voltage is lower than 24.5V.
2.6 The maximum solar charging for the DCDC30 is 30A and the DCDC50 is 50A.
Your panels look like they could be slightly too high avoltage for the device. It’s better to have a bit of wiggle either side to allow for either shade that will reduce the output or cold which could increase it
your only option with these panels is to install them in parallel
hope this helps
That’s helps a lot!!!! Thank you!!! ??
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