Plug-in solar panel. (5 Viewers)

[Nigel Crompton]

2x100w on roof, wired in parallel.
1x125w stand-alone, "plugged-in" when required.

I've previously connected the stand alone panel to the 100/20 mppt in parallel with the others.

Is this acceptable practice, I ask, belatedly, or should I put in a second mppt dedicated to this panel ?

 

[Jev88]

Personally I would fit a 2nd controller so as not to have to faff with the existing wiring?

 

[MisterB]

I'm assuming the stand alone doesn't have its own in built mppt ?

I personally would do the simplest method that makes it easier and potentially offers options. Because my folding panel has an in built, I just added an external Anderson socket wired direct to the battery, so it also works as an external 12v supply if needed.

 

[Jim]

I had a dedicated MPPT fitted at Vanbitz to handle my folding solar .

 

[Richard n Ann]

Depends what voltage the extra panel is. If you want it to work on your existing regulator it needs to have the same voltage rating as the other panels.

My portable panel came with a Chinese regulator stuck on the back but I unwired it and fitted another votronic regulator under the bench seat

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[Nigel Crompton]

They're all 18.xx volts

 

[Nigel Crompton]

Personally I would fit a 2nd controller so as not to have to faff with the existing wiring?

No faff involved. I just inserted one of these in the existing panels' wiring; two in, two out, straight thro' for panels on the roof and using a spare pair for the 'extra'.
Easy make and break - the extra panel is still in it's box when it's bening plugged in ...

 

[ianto999]

Which controller do you have for roof panels?
Discovered my NDS mppt has a ‘spare slot’ for an extra panel, so going to try that before splashing out on another mppt. (Adria van)