Finished Solar Instalation

[Tombola]

Looking at your photos again, just wondering why you have a fuse in the wiring from the panels where the fuse is situated just before the controller, what is it protecting ?

Probably just to Isolate the feed should any work need doing. I did the same on mine, but then decided to change to a switch as those type of fuse trips got a bad rep in some circles, due to some dodgy chinese ones failing. Though for the 200w solar they would suffice.

 

[Tombola]

Chat GPTs answer to the question, "can I use 1 mppt and mix 100w solar panel with a 200w solar panel"

Yes, you can use a single MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller to mix a 100W solar panel with a 200W solar panel in a single solar power system.

MPPT charge controllers are designed to maximize the power output of solar panels by tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of each panel individually, regardless of their different power ratings. The MPPT charge controller adjusts the voltage and current output of the solar panels to match the battery charging requirements, thus optimizing the power output of the system.

When connecting panels with different power ratings in parallel to a single MPPT charge controller, the controller will automatically track the MPP of each panel independently and combine their current outputs to charge the battery bank. This means that you can mix different sized solar panels together in a single system as long as they have the same nominal voltage.

However, keep in mind that the wiring and components used in the system should be rated to handle the maximum current output of the combined panels. Additionally, the size of the charge controller and battery bank should be matched to the total solar panel capacity to ensure optimal performance.

 

[Just smiffy]

In my original post, two matched Leisure Batteries. Plus of course the vehicle battery coupled to a Battery Master from VanBitz

Sorry, should have read it again.. was going by the picture… got plenty of room there, you should be ok for power, I had 300w on my last van and it was more then enough.
I have 2 of the same panels you have from Craig Solar that have yet to put on my new van…

 

[Ditcha]

Chat GPTs answer to the question, "can I use 1 mppt and mix 100w solar panel with a 200w solar panel"

Yes, you can use a single MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller to mix a 100W solar panel with a 200W solar panel in a single solar power system.

MPPT charge controllers are designed to maximize the power output of solar panels by tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of each panel individually, regardless of their different power ratings. The MPPT charge controller adjusts the voltage and current output of the solar panels to match the battery charging requirements, thus optimizing the power output of the system.

When connecting panels with different power ratings in parallel to a single MPPT charge controller, the controller will automatically track the MPP of each panel independently and combine their current outputs to charge the battery bank. This means that you can mix different sized solar panels together in a single system as long as they have the same nominal voltage.

However, keep in mind that the wiring and components used in the system should be rated to handle the maximum current output of the combined panels. Additionally, the size of the charge controller and battery bank should be matched to the total solar panel capacity to ensure optimal performance.

His panels aren't the same nominal voltage though see #16 no one is doubting you can't do what the op is doing but it's by no means getting the the best out off what he's got.
It will be even harder matching the voltages when one is on the roof and one on the floor in total different positions to the sun, you have a better chance when the panels are in the same orientation to the sun ie both flat on the roof but his are not.
You can simply overcome these problems by fitting another controller and maximize what you have.

 

[Raul]

Again, im no expert, but having just read some instructions regarding connecting the array in series or parallel, I have determined the following, using panels of different values. Panel A which is 200w, 10.8A and 19.5v. Panel B which is 100w, 5.7A and 17.5v. Using the laws of voltages and amps in series and parallel, I see that in parallel we add amps together but voltage is the lowest, so we have 16.5 amps x 17.5v = 288.75W. Now if we use series, we add voltages together and take lowest amps, so 37v x 5.7a = 210.9W. This results in parallel being the best option. Bear with me, am I wrong?

This is correct. You have wired them in best possible scenario, given the differences in panel output. Looses are minimal, the voltages are close enough to make a noticeable contribution from the portable panel; carry on, you are ok.

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[Lagotto]

Looking at your photos again, just wondering why you have a fuse in the wiring from the panels where the fuse is situated just before the controller, what is it protecting ?

As Tombola mentioned, a simple quick method to isolate the feed from the panels should I need to do some work on the system