I hadn't thought of like that. I am trying to wrap my head around my system because I think my amps are too low.
I am currently running a Renogy 400W system that was one of their sales promotion,
My current power production, is 5A, on it's best day.
(15.8a below what they are rated)
( 2/1/24)
Renogy Panel Specs;
100 x -4- = 400 watts of solar panels / 13.6 battery voltage,
-4- panels x 5.21a = 20.84 amp rating,
Rover 40a charge controller
My current power production, is 5A, as shown on the Rover screen
(15.8a, below what the combined rating should be)
My panels are rated as 400W & the Rover is rated as 520W
Two more panels should add another 200W = 600W panel array
The DC app says I am only getting 106W out of a 400W array
Renogy BT App:
Capacity; 100%
Voltage; 14.40V
Current; 0.29A
Power; 4W
~~~~~~~
DC Home App:
SOC; 77%
Solar Volts; 23.2V
Solar Amps; 4.56A
Solar Power 106W
All readings are through the Renogy 500A Battery Monitor with Shunt
attached to battery ground
~~~~~~~~
Barn Power Usage:
13v
11.1A
146W
============================
I would like to add two more of the Renogy 100w panels to my existing system,
This will theoretically add another 'RATED' 600W
This isn't counting efficiency losses
The Rover is rated to handle 520W
The Rover's 'RATED' specs is: 12V @ ≤ 520W
600 minus 20% = 480
On the battery charging side,
The Rover 40A specs says it can output charging rates up to 40A and as you can see,
my system is only outputting an average 4A - 5A, on a good day
My current production is 15.8a below what the panels are rated for
I have room on my array for two more panels & I thought I could install two more 100W panels,
for a total of 600W on a Charger Controller RATED at 520W ,
This could also increase my amp output
By adding the extra panels, I would stand a better chance of keeping my battery charged, 230AH 12v
Currently, about ever 4 days, I am having to
-turn off the array,
-turn off the battery from the control panel,
and run a Giander 540W lithium charger to get my battery back up to 100%AH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My System:
4 x Renogy Solar Panel 100 Watt 12 Volt,
High-Efficiency Monocrystalline
-Wired in parallel-
1 x Rover Li 40A MPPT Charge Controller
Rated Solar Input Power, 12V @ ≤ 520W
1 x BT-1 Bluetooth Module
4 x 10A In-line Fuse (solar panels)
1 x 40A ANL Fuse (Inverter)
3 x Solar Y Branch Connectors MMF+FFM Pair
-----------------------------------------------------------
-The Renogy Rover 40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Rated Charge Current: 40A
(40a represents the MAX amount of amps the controller can output -
GOING INTO THE BATTERIES)
Max. PV Input Voltage: 95 VDC
Max. PV Input Power: 12V/520W
Power Consumption: 100mA/12v
Max Battery Voltage: 32V
Max. Terminals Size: 8 AWG
-----------------------------------------------------------
Single;
LiTime 12V 230Ah, LiFePO4 Battery,with Low-Temp Protection
Built-In 200A BMS,
12.8v x 230AH = 2,944 watt hours
Fused In-Line, battery cable:
Blue Sea Systems 5001 MEGA/AMG Fuse Block with Cover, 400 Amp
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How feasible will it be to add these two extra 100W panels?
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As a follow up, I disconnected the panels & checked with a Simson meter,
after the 10a inline fuse.
Each panel is producing 20v but I couldn't get an amp reading, my lack of knowing how