I have fried 2 charge controllers! Please help!!

[Mattb4]

That would still blow up.

Just working from the numbers given. 150vDc max for the controller should allow for a 120v input with 20% margin even with cold weather.

 

[MushroomMan67]

I’m sorry guys… I’m trying to keep up. Here are the specs for the solar panel.

 

[MrThisIsME]

Your charge controller can only accept 1040W. With ten 200W panels, you have double the rated power input that your charge controller can handle. You have too many panels.

You are able to put 3 in series and still be under the 150V. Your panels are 24V nominal, but have a VOC of somewhere near 40V (assuming they deliver 5.2A as you stated).

In order to get the most power into the charge controller, I would recommend 5 in parallel. That allows the max power and you're still within the voltage and current ratings of your charge controller.

Since he blew up the second MPPT, can we assume he did not order a third?

Maybe best to find a MPPT controller to suit the panels.

 

[Mattb4]

Yeah my proposal will not work The Voc is 45.4vDC at that amount only 2 in series.

 

[MushroomMan67]

Now that everyone has the specs of my charge controller and the panels. Do me a tremendous favor. Tell me exactly, in order to maximize as many panels as possible, how to connect them so I do not blow up my charge controller. And I will do it without fail.

 

[MrThisIsME]

Mr.thisisme… What do you think of BradCagle connection?

I did not see Brad suggest any connection, other than him suggesting you should stop blowing stuff up.

 

[Al D]

Now that everyone has the specs of my charge controller and the panels. Do me a tremendous favor. Tell me exactly, in order to maximize as many panels as possible, how to connect them so I do not blow up my charge controller. And I will do it without fail.

5 in parallel

 

[MrThisIsME]

Now that everyone has the specs of my charge controller and the panels. Do me a tremendous favor. Tell me exactly, in order to maximize as many panels as possible, how to connect them so I do not blow up my charge controller. And I will do it without fail.

First thing, is you have to measure voltage before you connect anything again. Pretty sure there is a rule here if you blow up three CCs people are forced not to help you anymore.

Least I thought it was a rule.

 

[fromport]

Now that everyone has the specs of my charge controller and the panels. Do me a tremendous favor. Tell me exactly, in order to maximize as many panels as possible, how to connect them so I do not blow up my charge controller. And I will do it without fail.

What is the lowest temperature on record for your area ?
That is needed to calculate how much each panel will go above the specified Voc of 45.4 Volt
I assume this is the panel in question ?

MEGA 200 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel | Best 24V Panel for RVs and

The RICH SOLAR Mega 200 Watt 24 Volt Solar Pane is a key component to any solar power (PV) system. Feautures a 9 buss bar solar cell configuration and mono PERC Technology. Each solar panel includes standard solar connectors that extend from the junction box affixed to the back of each panel.

richsolar.com

 

[Al D]

What is the lowest temperature on record for your area ?
That is needed to calculate how much each panel will go above the specified Voc of 45.4 Volt

It doesn't matter. OP needs 5 in parallel. The voltage will stay well within the limits.

 

[BradCagle]

You can do 3 in series

Given you have 10, you should do 2 in series

You'll need to fuse each parallel string.

 

[fromport]

You can do 3 in series

Depending on lowest temp

Given you have 10, you should do 2 in series

I would say put 1.2 to 1.25 times max power of CC on the input:
1250-1300 worth of panels i would say 6 panels per CC would be nice.
He could go 3S2P on one controller and 2S2P on a second for maximum performance
That way he would need no fuses to parallel any of his strings.

or if it gets too cold in his area
2S3P with fuses between each string and the 2nd controller 2S2P (like above)

 

[Al D]

You can do 3 in series

Given you have 10, you should do 2 in series

If OP uses 5 in parallel, there will be 1kW of power and still be within the voltage and current specs of the charge controller.

 

[BradCagle]

If OP uses 5 in parallel, there will be 1kW of power and still be within the voltage and current specs of the charge controller.

True, I just noticed the controller he's using.

 

[MushroomMan67]

Here in Southern Ohio, extreme temp, 3 below Fahrenheit

I will do 5 in parallel.

One last question. I have a total of 10 panels I would like to utilize. So my best option would be to have two sets of 5 panels in parallel connecting to their own charge controllers.

Is this correct?

 

[BradCagle]

Here in Southern Ohio, extreme temp, 3 below Fahrenheit

I will do 5 in parallel.

One last question. I have a total of 10 panels I would like to utilize. So my best option would be to have two sets of 5 panels in parallel connecting to their own charge controllers.

Is this correct?

Yes, or get one larger charge controller

 

[Al D]

Here in Southern Ohio, extreme temp, 3 below Fahrenheit

I will do 5 in parallel.

One last question. I have a total of 10 panels I would like to utilize. So my best option would be to have two sets of 5 panels in parallel connecting to their own charge controllers.

Is this correct?

What are you trying to charge?

 

[fromport]

Here in Southern Ohio, extreme temp, 3 below Fahrenheit

The specsheet of the manufacturer does not say the Voc temp coefficient on their website, which is a pity
Using a common number, I am afraid 3 panels in series will go above the 150 volt limit of your CC.
So I would play it safe and max use 2 panels in series on that controller.
That should work without problems.

One last question. I have a total of 10 panels I would like to utilize. So my best option would be to have two sets of 5 panels in parallel connecting to their own charge controllers.

Like I wrote before:
CC1:
2S3P with fuses between the strings
CC2:
2S2P without fuses

Or get one larger CC

 

[MushroomMan67]

What are you trying to charge?

I built a tiny house so… Everything within reason.

 

[MushroomMan67]

So I do not blow myself up. Knowing the 10 panels that I have and the specs. Can you point me to a control charger that will work.