Adding a second solar mppt controller?!

[Pusscat]

At the moment it’s a bit of an academic exercise but could I add an extra solar panel (different voltage / amp output to current panel which is connected to EPEver DuoRacer DR3210N-DDS 30A MPPT Dual ) and connect it to a second mppt controller and in turn connect that to the leisure batteries alongside the original?

would both mppts confuse each other? can anyone think of anything I should be aware of?

I did think of adding another panel in parallel to the original and feed it to the original mppt but I think I’d lose out energy withthe Difference in panel outputs etc…I have another mppt going spare (votronic 250).

 

[Reallyretired]

No problem it will work OK.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Not quite sure I understand your intentions.

Different sized panels linked together will be dragged down to the smaller panel.

Keep the twins panels separate, each with their own controller wired separately to the battery should be OK but they may start to fight when battery is almost full and gets near a float charge.

 

[Guigsy]

If you've got two dissimilar panels, then it's more efficient to run them off of separate MPPT charge controllers.

Do the charge controllers have to be similar in terms of charge profile? Will they fight each other if they aren't the same brand?

 

[funflair]

Two controllers will be fine, as long as the batteries need the power they will both output, when the batteries get to taking less power one controller will lead and one will cut back, it’s the same really as one big controller starting to cut back when power isn’t needed.

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[A S R]

I have two solar panels running through two different MPPT controllers. My reason is that if something goes wrong with one system there’s another running along side it that still works.

 

[Pusscat]

Two controllers will be fine, as long as the batteries need the power they will both output, when the batteries get to taking less power one controller will lead and one will cut back, it’s the same really as one big controller starting to cut back when power isn’t needed.

thanks for that input…

I’m thinking of getting a compressor 12v fridge, around 45w and was getting probably a little over paranoid about 245w solar into 2 leisure batteries not keeping up. i’m sure it would be fine in summer but was thinking maybe I needed to add an extra 175 Victron panel just to boost things up a little in the darker months for the odd extended week ender.

 

[Pusscat]

I have two solar panels running through two different MPPT controllers. My reason is that if something goes wrong with one system there’s another running along side it that still works.

Good to know you haven’t blown up!! Nice to hear from someone who has it installed…cheers!

 

[the1andonly]

I have also mixed and matched.
Controller 1 votronics 350 : 330w 46V pannel
Controller 2 votronics 250 : 100w 120w 20V panels. Duo connection to cab.
Works perfectly