I have an All-In-One Hybrid charge controller which starts charging at 35 volts from the array.
I'm confused as to whether you have 18 volts with all your panels in parallel or 36 volts.
Are you on a "Narrow Boat"?
thanks for replying and sorry for the confusion.
The batteries are 36v and the panels are 18v. it wouldn't be the worst thing to wire 2 panels in series to make 36v, as they're 100w panels and there are 14 in total, with 2 larger panels.
Most hybrid inverters ive looked at won't charge to 36v batteries, thats the sticking point.
I think ive made up my mind, just to boost the system with an additional MPPT that accepts 18v and charges to 36v and tht should suffice.
My question was really to save the need to get a separate inverter and MPPT and ideally get a combined unit whether it be hybrid, but its simpler to do it this way on consideration and if im patient with picking up a second mppt, shouldn't cost that much more.
But its also to expand my awareness of solar in general as there are always advancing technologies and like to keep up with the field to see if theres another way of doing things, that could future proof the system or improve it in ways i cannot imagine, like new technologies do.
But thanks to all that posted and thank you for helping me to come to a relatively quick conclusion, to my answer as i know alot of forums i read through, the posts go on for pages, before the answer is a simple yes or no.
Much gratitude
Gabe
